The marketing for Married Alive at Stage West states that the show is “starring Joyce DeWitt.” While the former Three’s Company star certainly shines, in truth the show is very much an ensemble piece.

The script and songs, by Sean Grennan and Leah Okimoto, could honestly be pretty horrible in the wrong hands. Instead DeWitt, Sweeny MacArthur, Tory Doctor and Ksenia Thurgood play things up in a satirical, slapstick style that will leave you howling with laughter.

Doctor and Thurgood are incredible singers - which is certainly a bonus - but it is the grasp of physical comedy that make Doctor and MacArthur shine. In watching the show there are several subtle tributes to John Ritter, who made the pratfall an art form and, who was an obvious influence on Doctor’s style.

The show skewers marriage – one couple on their 25th anniversary, one just getting married - and is done at breakneck speed. Some highlights include DeWitt and MacArthur trying to spice up their love life in a Spanish lover fantasy, some really funny fight scenes, and an amusing rap song called That’s Right Suckers. There are tender moments as well.

The highlight of the show kicks off the second act, in which the young couple visits her family for Christmas. Thurgood improvises new ways to throw herself at Doctor every night, much to the amusement of the cast and the audience. I would gladly see the show again in part just for this scene - it had the entire audience cracking up (including Doctor).

It is obvious watching the show that the cast is having a great time on stage, and that energy and enthusiasm is infectious for the audience. Four of us went together, two who love musicals, and two who don’t enjoy the genre. So even our two musical haters begrudgingly admitted that they really enjoyed the show, even with the songs. To get that confession from them is more praise than I, who enjoys just about any show where people spontaneously burst into song, can give.

Married Alive launches a new era of Stage West, as the venue went through extensive renovations over the summer. The buffet is now out of the theatre and in a separate room, which includes a sushi bar, salad bar, carving stations and separate areas for different food. It makes it that much easier to get to the food that you want, and return to your table. The dessert buffet is also open at intermission so you can digest your main course during the first act and then tackle the desserts, instead of having to eat everything pre-show.

Stage West may have changed, but if Married Alive is any indication, the quality of shows and food will keep people coming back.