Sometimes we all need a burst of energy to jolt us out of our malaise.

Melbourne Civic Theatre shakes off the summer doldrums to launch its 72nd season with the sharp-witted comedy, "The Tale of the Allergist's Wife." The play by Charles Busch opens Friday, Aug. 2 for a run through Sept. 8.

The satirical exploration of a mid-life crisis follows Marjorie Taub, a Manhattan doctor's wife grappling with an existential crisis after her children have flown the nest. Marjorie’s comfortable, stifling life is turned upside down when her glamorous childhood friend, Lee, enters the picture, bringing with her a whirlwind of change and chaos.

What follows is a cascade of events that delve into themes of self-discovery, marriage and the ever-elusive search for happiness.

Director Peg Girard believes the comedy is a perfect fit to open MCT's new season, as well as her 15th year as the theater's artistic director.

"I'm always on the lookout for a good comedy, and this one was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Play in 2001," she said.

"During its run, the play helped bring laughter back onto Broadway in the wake of 9/11. And heaven knows we can all use a good laugh nowadays, too!"

At the heart of the play, Rita Moreno plays Marjorie, the woman at a crossroads.

"Rita Moreno, our Marjorie, is from New Jersey and is a doctor's wife in real life, so she finds a lot of overlap to build her characterization," Girard said. "She's having a blast negotiating Marjorie's journey as her life takes unexpected twists under Lee's guidance."

Glenn "Kraz" Krasney plays Marjorie's endearing but oblivious husband Ira.

"[He] is just a natural born comedian, so he's mining comic gold from husband Ira's bewilderment at the loopy turns in his marriage," Girard said.

Becky Behl-Hill plays Lee, the glamorous and mysterious figure from Marjorie’s past.

"She shows Marjorie the path to reinvention, having rewritten her own history to create a new self," Girard said.

Rounding out the cast are Anthony Santiago as Mohammed, the Taub's loyal doorman, and Susan Suomi as Freida, Marjorie's complaining mother.

"The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife" is a rollercoaster of emotions that will resonate with anyone who’s ever faced the challenges of mid-life. The show is fun and witty, but also offers a reflection on life's unexpected twists and turns.

"Marjorie's mid-life crisis is relatable to nearly everyone, the feeling that life is slipping by and we haven't accomplished everything we'd hoped to," Girard said. "So watching her safe, upper class world get shaken up a bit is vicarious fun."

If you go

'The Tale of the Allergist's Wife'

Where: Melbourne Civic Theatre, 817 E. Strawbridge Ave., Melbourne

When: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays through Sept. 8. There will be a Saturday matinee at 2 p.m. Aug. 24.

Tickets: $35

Call: 321-723-6935

Website: mymct.org

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Christina LaFortune is the Entertainment and TGIF Editor at FLORIDA TODAY. Follow her on Facebook at facebook.com/christinalafortune or send her an email at clafortune@floridatoday.com .

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This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Melbourne Civic Theatre spices things up with 'The Tale of the Allergist's Wife'