The show must go on, but in Kander and Ebb's "Curtains," someone in front of or perhaps behind the stage wants to see it close.

"Curtains" is a multi-genre production: a play within a play, romantic-comedy, murder-mystery and musical comedy performed by a large ensemble cast.

The Pennsylvania Playhouse production of "Curtains," weekends through Oct. 21, offers a little something for most theater-goers' appetites. The play, which runs just more than two hours, kicks off with a big musical number that features most of the cast of roughly 20 on stage at once.

The setting is 1959 at the Colonial Theatre in Boston during opening night of "Robbin' Hood of the Old West." Jessica Crenshaw (Rosemary Kumma), a past-her-prime film star, is cast as the female lead. It is obvious she has zero acting talent as the cast find themselves continually feeding her her lines. Crenshaw's poor theatrical chops are the least of her worries as she suddenly falls dead on stage following the curtain call.

The late-night edition of the Boston Globe arrives with a review panning the entire production. A decision must be made: close the show or continue onward with a new female lead. Enter police Lt. Frank Cioffi (Mike Daniels), who has placed the entire theater on lock-down until the murder is solved. Cioffi, who fancies himself a budding song and dance man, integrates amongst the show people, providing production advice in between searching for clues.

As the play progresses, the body count piles up and the list of suspects is as lengthy as the cast and production staff.

"Curtains" is a fun play, but also a difficult one to execute. The large ensemble that shares the stage for several music and dance numbers must stay on point in order for the scenes not to appear a jumbled mess. For the most part, these scenes worked with only minor missteps.

Much like the play inside the play, the cast seemed to find their stride as the action progressed. By Act Two, they had hit their comfort zone and seemed more relaxed than in the earlier moments of opening night, Oct. 5.

Mariel Letourneau, "Curtains" choreographer, had a herculean task and proved up to the challenge. Staging is simple and minimal.

The cast features a mix of young performers and seasoned veterans. Standouts include Daniels as Cioffi, James Vivian as "Robbin' Hood" director Christopher Belling and Pamela Webb as Carmen Bernstein, the wife of "Robbin' Hood" producer Sidney Bernstein.

Other notable performances were turned in by Valerie Kumma as Nikki Harris, the lead understudy and ingénue; Mary-Catherine Bracali as Jenny Harris, "Robbin' Hood" stage manager; and Megan Falasco as Georgia Hendricks, who assumes the lead in the final production of "Robbin' Hood." Shane Fischetti, as Bobby Pepper, is an outstanding dancer.

Pennsylvania Playhouse's staging of "Curtains" is an entertaining theater experience. See it before the curtain closes.