SHERMAN — If laughter is truly the best medicine, then the best place to currently fill that prescription is at the Sherman Playhouse. To the absolute pleasure of last Saturday’s audience, Sherman Players staged two Christopher Durang short plays. While the original plans were to stage Durang Outdoors outdoors, weather pushed the opening weekend performances inside.

Amused would be an understatement for the effect the show had on those in the seats.

The first play, For Whom the Southern Belle Tolls, directed by Matt Austin, was a hilarious take on one of Tennessee Williams’s most recognizable plays, The Glass Menagerie.

The southern belle referenced in the title is Amanda Wingvalley, who was portrayed for all she was worth by comedienne extraordinaire Jody Bayer. Wingvalley’s unusual and challenging son, Lawrence, is played Jim Hipp.

Lawrence tries Amanda’s patience, if she has any, sitting on the floor, obsessing over his collection of cocktail stirrers while dreading the arrival of a girl, Ginny (Heather Haneman). Older brother Tom Wingvalley (Matt Austin) has invited Ginny, at Amanda’s request, hoping she will fall for Lawrence and take him off her hands. As usual, nothing works out the way Amanda plans.

It was a flat-out hoot to watch this group of very talented, educated actors. Hipp’s facial expressions alone were priceless. Austin’s dry, disinterested Tom was perfect.

Haneman was spot-on as the Rosie the Riveter-styled lady caller. Bayer was superb. The laughter was nonstop as the antics kept coming.

The second short play was The Actor’s Nightmare. While it may have been a nightmare for the actor in question, it was again nonstop fun for the audience.

George Spelvin was played by Matt Austin, one of the most skilled comedians around. His poor George finds himself on stage as an understudy in a play he doesn’t know, yet he soldiers on; it is just about the most entertaining performance possible.

George is encouraged, abandoned, and chastised while trying desperately to keep the show moving in spite of the fact that he has no idea where he is or why he’s there.

Supported by an absolutely amazing cast featuring Priscilla Squiers, Jody Bayer, Heather Haneman, and Bruce Tredwell, Austin’s George shifts from one character to another with confusion and determination. The audience was in stitches.

Kudos to director Jessica Smith for her excellent and creative staging.

Durang Outdoors is just what the doctor ordered.

Performances continue Friday and Saturday, July 16-17, at 8 pm, at 5 Route 39 North in Sherman.

NOTE: Sherman Players announced on Thursday, June 15, that this weekend's performances will both be indoors due to expected weather.

Visit shermanplayers.org for ticket details, reservations, and the latest weather updates. Performances are at 5 Route 39 North.