When a wedding brings “The Exes” together you can expect anything to happen, from old quarrels rehashed to new romances that will make tongues wag.

Lenore M. Skomal’s “The Exes” and directed by Mark A. Stutz, in its Lehigh Valley premiere, continues through Feb. 13 at the Pennsylvania Playhouse, Bethlehem.

This sparkling play is worth every nickel for its fast-paced dialogue and first-rate acting. The Jan. 28 show was seen for this review.

All of the performances are strong, making every scene enjoyable.

Prim (Bill Joachim) as the butler is feisty and upper-crust in his portrayal. He is choosy about who he allows to claim him as friend: “We don’t have a relationship.”

Nouveau-riche guy Richard Killingworth (Tom Mattel) is perfect as the failed patriarch of this dysfunctional family.

His buddy, fellow divorcee (from his pal Richard’s ex-wife Mavis), Dick Wright (Shaun Hayes), is perfect as wingman and confidant. They give the plot a fun and unexpected twist.

Bathroom humor comes to the fore as they share the common sobriquet for Richard and refer to themselves as “Number 1” and “Number 2.”

Garrett Wright (Chris D’Imperio), Dick’s son and the only one Prim accepts on friendly terms, is fantastic. D’Imperio brings high energy to the stage as he needles his step-sister Victoria. His portrayal of the sane, sensible son in a crazy family is perfect.

Glamorous Mavis Killingworth (Rebecca Pieper) is a force of nature, and as ex-wife of Richard (also the ex-wife of Dick), she finds that she is an uninvited guest at her step-daughter’s wedding. Mavis: “I just didn’t receive my invitation.” Dick: “You’re not invited!”

As Richard’s ex-wife she takes a casual view of why she had an “affair,” as her husband calls it. “It was a friendship,” claims Mavis.

The way she wears her mink coat makes it almost a character in its own right.

Bridezilla Victoria Killingsworth (Sarah Rice) shines as the emotional daddy’s girl who is on the outs with her step-mother, Mavis.

Marcel Nistlerood (Aidan King) is the new romance and the reason Mavis is in a hurry to get her divorce papers signed. As Mavis’ paramour, his exuberant, over-the-top performance gets the big laughs.

The wedding scene is surreal and well-done. Shaun Hayes as Dick Wright stands out in the scene.

The set design and lighting by Brett Oliveira is pitch-perfect for the play.

Assistant Director and Stage Manager is Kristoffer Swanson.

Costume design was not credited, but the costuming is noteworthy, especially the gown for Mavis.

Tickets: http://www.paplayhouse.org/; 610-865-6665