What happens behind the scenes of a theater production comes to light during the Vicksburg Theatre Guild’s upcoming production set to open this weekend.

“Noises Off” is the original “play that goes wrong,” director Elizabeth Cowan said.

“It is the show that takes every “theatre person’s” worst nightmares and puts it all up onstage, and it is absolutely hilarious,” Cowan said.

“’Noises Off” follows a group of B-level actors in their endeavors to put on a British slapstick comedy and when they get caught up in backstage drama chaos ensues onstage with hilarious results,” she said, adding that the comedy is similar to the style of the three stooges.

Cowan said she learned about “Noises Off” from a free video sharing website and then had the chance to watch a live production a year ago.

“I discovered it (“Noises Off”) shortly after I really started getting into theatre, probably about five years ago, through a community theatre production that somebody filmed and put on YouTube. I also had the wonderful opportunity to see the Tupelo Community Players’ production of it last year and it was the only time I have been in a theatre where the entire auditorium was rolling with laughter,” Cowan said.

Written in 1982, by English playwright Michael Frayn, “Noises Off” is comprised of nine characters. Those performing in the local production include Jered Lamiotte, Sarah Goss, Clarence Shelby Jr., Amy LaGrone Crews, Jon Graham, Heather Calnan, Bobby Newell, Karen Lambiotte and Jackson W. Lee.

“Most everyone in the cast has done at least one play with us before,” Cowan said, with the exception of Jon Graham.

“Jon is doing a great job, and I’m very impressed with how well he is doing. This is his very first time onstage anywhere, and he is starting with what the rest of the well-seasoned cast has agreed is ‘the hardest play they’ve ever done.’”

“Noises Off” is Cowan’s second play to direct at the VTG, she said, with her earlier endeavor also being a comedy.

“I directed “A Tuna Christmas,” December 2016, which is also a physical comedy, but this comedy has been really crazy because of how specific the timing has to be in regards to this massive two-story rotating set that the script requires. We basically had to treat scenes like dance numbers, only without the music, and just had to run them over and over and over until the actors remembered the sequence of events,” she said.

Cowan said directing the play has been fun and she has enjoyed working with the cast.

“I’ve worked with most of these actors long enough that they’re like family,” Cowan said.

“Noises Off” will open at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9 at the Parkside Playhouse, 101 Iowa Ave. Shows will continue at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10, Friday, Feb. 16 and Saturday, Feb. 17 and at 2 p.m. Sunday Feb. 11 and 18. Tickets are $15, $10 for ages 65 and older and $8 for ages 12 and younger and are available the day of the show at the VTG box office or online at www.showclix.com/events/10243. This is a VTG main stage show.