The title of “The Suicide Club” might be off-putting, but the Crowded Kitchen Players’ original play, continuing at 8 p.m. Oct. 25, 26 and 4 p.m. Oct. 27 and 8 p.m. Nov. 15 and 16 and 4 p.m. Nov. 17, Touchstone Theatre, Bethlehem, is thought-provoking and intriguing.

That’s because of the production’s commendable performances and a detailed script, written by Ara Barlieb, who directs the play. “The Suicide Club” is most unusual, unlike just about any play you will experience on the Lehigh Valley stage.

The Crowded Kitchen Players’ play, subtitled “A Seduction of Afflicted Souls,” is “inspired by the short stories” of Robert Louis Stevenson (1850 - 1894; “Treasure Island,” “Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde,” “A Child’s Garden of Verses”). Stevenson’s “The Suicide Club” is a collection of three interconnected short stories published in 1878.

The Crowded Kitchen Players’ production uses mostly dim lighting to frame the actors, lending a chiaroscuro effect to their faces that, combined with the black-box aspect of the theater, gives an intimate feel to the show. A spiral staircase is lighted and used to good effect. Projected photos and titles indicate time and place.

The plot in the play concerns a club in Victorian era London whereby its despairing members don’t want to live, but are seemingly reluctant to take the final step. Therefore, some are helped along their path of desperation and self-destruction.

The play has a plot twist late in the game. No spoiler alert here, but it provides for a satisfying, if not altogether happy ending.

Adelaide Whitlock (Trish Cippoleti) and Alfred Ogilvi (David Oswald) are wealthy gadabouts, who learn about the club from an unnamed woman (Carla Hadley), who they meet at a hotel restaurant.

At the Suicide Club, they meet an assortment of characters, presided over by club president (William Alexander Jr.).

Club members include Lady Malthus (Sharon Ferry), Jerome (Bruce F. Brown), Harold (Remy Kayal), Sir (Donald J. Swan, Jr.; Pamela McLean Wallace in the Oct. 20 performance seen for this review); Helouise (Florence Taylor, who has a nice turn, especially in one scene singing), Emma Hardy (Dawn Daignault), Georgina (Alexandra Racines), Fessenden (Tom Epstein) and Walter Henry (Jeremiah Anschau).

Each actor has his or her turn in the spotlight, recounting a particular background story as to why they are club members.

Cippoleti gives an energetic and unpredictable performance that balances nicely with Oswald’s taciturn and scholarly turn, and Alexander’s commanding and self-assured presence.

Cippoleti, Oswald and Alexander do the heavy lifting and each does so with a light touch of vigor and mirth, keeping what would otherwise be a dismal enterprise replete with merriment and mirth.

“The Suicide Club” is an enigma wrapped in an enigma. What you take away may depend on what you bring to the play.

Tickets: at the door, Touchstone Theatre, 321 E. Fourth St., Bethlehem; ckplayers.com; 610-395-7176