From the outside, the town of Beaver Haven appears as an idyllic place for a stressed actress to write her memoirs and (hopefully) grow a few tomatoes.

In John Patrick’s play “A Bad Year for Tomatoes” the fictional Massachusetts town is a lot of things, but definitely not peaceful.

On Aug. 8, 14 and 15, the show will be performed at the Marion Art Center.

“It’s a very funny play. It centers around an actress looking for some solitude, and her nosy neighbors are constantly interrupting her,” said Director Dr. Rex McGraw. “They have several encounters.”

McGraw noted the playwright also penned “The Curious Savages” and “The Teahouse of the August Moon.” The latter earned Patrick a Pulitzer Prize.

In "Tomatoes," the farcical two-act play centers around Myra Marlowe, played by Cynthia Latham, who leaves Hollywood and leases a home where she plans to write her autobiography.

Soon after, a couple of neighbors, portrayed by Susan Sullivan and Suzie Kokkins, bring a welcome basket and lots of gossip; including a warning about Piney, an ax carrying handyman.

“This is a fun play for the summertime. It’s in season just like tomatoes,” said Thom O’Shaughnessy, who portrays Piney.

A veteran of the Marion Art Center stage, this play marks O’Shaughnessy’s eighth show.

“The beauty and fun in a Marion Art Center performance is that people get a chance to express themselves,” O’Shaughnessy said.

Having McGraw direct is a huge benefit for the actors, O'Shaughnessy said. A former director at schools such as Ohio State, the University of Nebraska and Ohio University, McGraw has decades worth of experience in theater.

“He brings us up to another level that otherwise we wouldn’t reach,” O’Shaughnessy said about McGraw.

When Piney and the neighbors, who include the free-spirited and gypsy-like Willa Mae Wilcox (played by Suzy Taylor) become too much to handle, Marlowe says she’s boarding with “Sister Sadie,” her insane sibling.

The homicidal Sadie is kept locked in her room, occasionally escaping with scissors in hand. Sadie, who is really Marlowe in a wig, scares off everyone for awhile, but the neighbors take it upon themselves to correct her murderous tendencies, while Piney develops a crush on Marlowe’s alter ego.

After Marlowe says Sadie left for Boston, the town sheriff, played by Gary Taylor, launches an investigation.

As for how it all ends, McGraw says you’ll have to see the show.

“I don’t want to give too much away,” he said.

Tickets for the play cost $12.50 for Art Center members and $15 for general admission. To make a reservation, email marionartcenter@verizon.net and write “Bad Year for Tomatoes” in the subject line. Include your full name, telephone number and the show date in the body of the email.

Reservations may also be made by calling 5080748-1266 and leaving a message with the same information.

The Marion Art Center is located at 80 Pleasant St.