SHERMAN — The Lady’s Not for Burning, the first production of The Sherman Players’ 74th season, opens this weekend at Sherman Playhouse for a four-weekend run.

Christopher Fry’s poetic comedy set in the 1400s stars Adam Battelstein and Kelly Ferrar in the leading roles. Mr Battelstein plays Thomas Mendip, a discharged soldier who comes to a small English market town declaring he has committed murder and deserves to be hanged. There he meets Jennet Jourdemayne, played by Ms Ferrar. The charismatic young woman is brought before the mayor, a hypochondriac named Hebbie Tyson, for allegedly practicing witchcraft and town officials condemn her to be burned at the stake. During all the confusion Thomas and Jennet fall in love.

The mayor’s family includes the Devizes, a mother and two sons. The cast of characters also includes Alizon Eliot, a sweet and innocent, convent-educated young woman; Edward Tapercoom, a bully and a blustering justice; a scholarly, but confused and eccentric chaplain; and Richard, an orphaned copying clerk who helps thicken the plot, which includes an impending wedding, a fight over the bride and a mayor taken with the vapors before love conquers all.

The director of The Lady’s Not for Burning is Jane Farnol; Irit Granger is the producer.

The Lady’s Not for Burning opens April 14 and plays Friday and Saturday nights at 8:30 pm through May 6, plus one Sunday matinee on April 30 at 3 pm. The audience is invited to a complimentary opening night party on April 14 at 8 pm.

Sherman Playhouse is near the junction of Routes 37 and 39, behind Sherman Firehouse. Tickets are $14, $12 for seniors and students. For reservations, information about group rates, or season subscriptions, call 860/354-3622.