Barney Cashman is 47 years old. He married his high school sweetheart. He’s never been in a fist fight. He’s never had a fever of more than 102 degrees. And he’s never had an affair.

But just because Barney is ordinary doesn’t mean he likes it. He feels like life is passing him by.

So on three separate occasions, he brings a different woman to his mother’s apartment with the idea of having an affair. And on three separate occasions, he fails.

It may sound sort of depressing, but the Albert Lea Community Theatre production of “Last of the Red Hot Lovers,” which opens tonight at the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center, is not. The Neil Simon comedy actually tells us that it’s OK to be kind and decent. And there are lots of laughs as we learn that.

Jay Paul gives a strong performance as Barney. In each act Barney is different, and so are the women he has come to the apartment. He gains confidence with each try, but still can’t succeed at sinning.

In the first act, a late afternoon in November, Barney meets Elaine, played by Lisa Sturtz. Elaine is a bored, rich housewife who has had lots of affairs. She likes cigarettes, whiskey and other people’s husbands.

In the second act, a late afternoon in August, he meets Bobbi, played by Carrie Boyer-Olvera. Bobbi is a failed actress friend who also happens to be crazy.

In the third act, he meets Jeannette, played by Lori Larsen. She’s his wife’s best friend; her husband has had an affair and she’s looking for revenge.

Although each actress is only on stage for one act, they all bring their individual qualities to the show. Sturtz is striking as the femme fatale. She doesn’t want to hear Barney talk. He’s merely wasting time and she doesn’t want to be part of something “beautiful.”

Boyer-Olvera adds much of the comedy to the show, with personality changes almost rivaling Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. She talks nonstop. Her imagination is limitless.

Larsen does a great job playing the depressing Jeannette. Jeannette serves as a foil to Barney’s enthusiasm. She challenges him to name three decent human beings — thinking there are none. When he does, we finally learn that it’s OK to be good, kind and decent. And that’s a pretty good message to hear any time.

Director Gordy Handeland has cast this play well. He kept the 1960s flavor of the show, which makes it more fun, particularly for costuming.

Steve Kinney has done a remarkable job in designing the set, dressed just like one would imagine a city apartment to be like circa 1970.

So grab a date — especially if that date happens to be your husband or wife — and catch this comedy.

“Last of the Red Hot Lovers” runs tonight through Saturday and Feb. 11-14. All performances are at 7:30 p.m. For tickets, call the box office at 377-4371.