A farce is described as a play with improbable situations, deliberate absurdity and broadly stylized performances.

Now playing at the Marian Theater in Santa Maria, PCPA’s world premiere adaptation of Moliere’s “The Imaginary Invalid” hits the nail right on the head with all three definitions, then hammers the nail all the way through the board.

Originally written in 1673 by French playwright Moliere (whose real name was Jean-Baptiste Poquelin), the play has been ably translated and updated by Patricia Troxel.

The comedy, directed by Roger DeLaurier, is at times uproarious and wacky, and at times feels like a Marx Brothers performance. DeLaurier has clearly instructed his cast to go crazy, and they certainly do.

Guest Artist William Youmans plays the lead role, Silas Argan, a man who is convinced he is chronically ill and needs constant attention from his doctors, even though he is not keen on paying his bills in full.

He tries to marry off his daughter Abigail to a doctor in order to save money on treatments. Argan’s choice is clearly a mistake and everyone attempts to correct it.

Youmans is extremely funny in his role. He is allowed to take his character to the edge of absurdity, and does so with ease. The humor level rises every time he shares the stage with the brilliant Catalina Maynard as his housekeeper, Prudence.

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The repartee is sharp and their actions bring them to the edge of slapstick.

Maynard proves to be extremely adept at comedy, and although her character is outlandish, she is in charge of the household even though no one else in the house realizes it.

Colum Parke Morgan steals the show with one long scene as Thomas Dickinson, the would-be groom of the arraigned marriage.

Part Harpo Marx in his actions, and part George McFly from “Back to the Future” in his delivery, Morgan plays the character as broadly as any seen on a stage. The results are hilarious and unforgettable.

Leslie Brott as his mother — The Widow Deliverance Dickinson — is reminiscent of Margaret Dumont, the famous foil to the Marx Brothers in several movies.

Gwendolen Morton as Lydia, Argan’s conniving second wife, does an excellent job as she plots his demise, and Erika Olson has a small but quite funny role as Argan’s youngest daughter, Lucy. One of the biggest laughs in the play comes in her reaction to getting spanked by her father.

As the oldest daughter, Vanessa Ballam shines in a singing duet with Tobias Shaw as her true love, Nathaniel. The lyrics are as funny as any of the dialogue.

The action all takes place in one room, and scenic designer Heidi Hoffer does an excellent job using each part of the set. The costumes by Cheryl Odom are realistic to Colonial Philadelphia, where the play is set.

The “Imaginary Invalid” is silly, outlandish and a laugh-out-loud joy.

BOX OFFICE:

In Santa Maria: “The Imaginary Invalid” is playing through Aug. 23 at the Marian Theater in Santa Maria. Showtimes are 2 p.m. Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, and 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.

Tickets at the Marian Theater cost $16.25 to $26 for adults and $10.25 to $17.75 for students and children.

In Solvang: The show will move to the Festival Theater in Solvang on Thursday, Aug. 28, through Sunday, Sept. 7. Showtimes are 8 p.m. There will be no performance Monday, Sept. 1.

Tickets at the Festival Theater cost $19.75 to $28 for adults, and $15.25 to $19.25 for students and children.

For tickets, call the box office at 922-8313 or visit www.pcpa.org. For groups of 12 or more, call (800) 727-2123.