The Franklinton Community Theater is presenting the comedy “Cookin’ with Gus” in August.

The play, by Jim Brochu, is a domestic comedy and features a cast of five area actors and two directors. Robin Perez, one of the directors, said the community theater had been thinking about producing “The Rainmaker,” but that play requires a larger cast. The group still expects to produce that play, but in the meantime, they’re doing “Cookin’ with Gus.”

“Because of timing we decided to do this play as a fluff play while we’re waiting for a bigger play,” Perez said.

The three-act play features the eponymous Gus, or Gussie, a new television show host, and her boyfriend of 18 years, Walter. Liz King plays Gussie and Theron Graves is Walter.

“They think no one knows that they’re not married,” Perez said. “I’d compare their relationship to Lucille Ball and Ricky Ricardo on ‘I Love Lucy.’”

When the play begins, Gussie, a chef and cookbook author, has been asked to host a cooking show. However, Walter is opposed to the idea.

“She is the one who’s very successful and he’s jealous of that,” Perez said.

However, Gussie gets stage fright in front of the camera and, for much of the play, Walter and the neighbors.

Emily Murray and Larry Miller play the neighbors.

“They have a neighbor, Bernie, who’s a fast talker, and he’s very good friends with Gussie,” said Cody Wise, Perez’s co-director. “And then there’s Gypsy Carmen, the other neighbor, and she tries to cure Gussie with magic spells.”

Cameraman Jim Stringfield, who is making his debut with the community theater, rounds out the cast.

Wise and Perez said rehearsals have been going well.

“We have had a lot of fun,” Wise said. “It’s been a great experience.”

The play runs about an hour-and-a-half, not counting intermission.

The show opens Friday, Aug. 19 and runs each Friday and Saturday until Aug. 27.

The Friday shows, Aug. 19 and Aug. 26, will include dinner and tickets for those are $30, and the dinner will be presented by Sweet Daddy’s BBQ.

On Saturday, Aug. 20, and Saturday, Aug. 27, no meal will be served and a ticket is $15.

Tickets are sold at Leader Printing 985-839-2261, Magee Feed 985-839-4545 in Franklinton and Golden Pear Restaurant 985-735-1199 in Bogalusa.

Pre-sold tickets are required, as tickets will not be available at the door.