Leggy men, innocent lovers, catchy songs, athletic courtesans, fearsome warriors, mistaken identities, slapstick humor, multiple misunderstandings and much more — there’s “Something for everyone, a comedy tonight!” the cast announces in the very first song of “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.”

The show, which opens Friday at Anacortes Community Theatre, is a perennial favorite. Jan Trumble likes it so much that she is directing it for the second time.

“It’s a classic. It’s a more modern musical from the early ’60s,” she said. “It’s timeless.”

It’s also hilarious.

Based on several plays by ancient Roman playwright Plautus, “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” was written by Steven Sondheim and Larry Gelbart, Trumble said. Sondheim was fresh from his successful “West Side Story,” and Gelbart went on to fame as the creative force behind the television show MASH. Their collaboration resulted in a crazy confection that won several Tony awards.

Last Wednesday the cast had a blast going through the play at triple time and trying out their togas for the first time. Trumble said she likes to rehearse a comedy in fast-forward to help the cast get up to speed for rapid-fire dialog.

The fact that the men’s togas were too short added an element of danger to the rehearsal. The wardrobe malfunctions will be sorted out before opening night, said music director Marilyn Pinquoch. In the meantime, “Don’t raise your arms,” she commanded.

Without missing a beat, Mike Jenkins’ arms shot up, causing groans and averted eyes.

The cast is heavily stacked with local improv comics who are having a wonderful time with the witty play. Their joy is contagious to the audience, even during a triple time rehearsal.

The plot, “nothing portentous or polite,” starts with the departure of Roman citizen Senex (Jim Harker) and his wife Domina (Julie Lindsey) on a trip. They charge head slave Hysterium (Jenkins) with guarding the virtue of their son Hero (Tim Brown).

But Hero has already caught sight of Philia (Carol Leander), a courtesan in the brothel of next-door neighbor Lycus (Wood Weiss), and he’s feeling strange stirrings that make him sigh and hum. Hero’s slick slave Pseudolus (Martin Iverson) convinces Hero to free him if he can help the lad win the girl.

After carefully examining all of Lycus’ courtesans, Pseudolus learns the virginal Philia is not for sale — she has already been sold to legendary warrior Captain Miles Gloriosus (August Wolff). To allow the couple to meet, Pseudolus convinces Lycus she is carrying a plague from Crete, earning permission to host her until her captain arrives.

Philia can’t sew, cook, read or count, but she’s lovely, and that’s enough for Hero.

“I’m lovely,” she explains. “All I am is lovely. Lovely is the one thing I can do.”

She is also loyal to her new owner, and refuses to run away. While Pseudolus runs around trying to whip up a sleeping potion so Philia can be carried away, Senex returns home. Philia assumes he is her captain and tells him “Take me!” She explains that he will have her body, but never her heart, and he decides he’s OK with that.

Pseudolus tells Senex that Philia is the new maid and sends him to the neighboring house of Erronius (Jim Weaver), where Senex wants to give her private training. Meanwhile, soldiers start heralding the imminent arrival of Miles Gloriosus, and Erronius unexpectedly returns home after spending years searching for his kidnapped children.

Will Pseudolus be able to survive the intricate web of deception he has woven?

Will love triumph in the end?

Will the audience get to see Mike Jenkins in drag — yet again?

To find out, you’ll have to pick up tickets for this hysterical production, which continues through Oct. 25.

Show times are 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays Oct. 5, 12 and 19. Tickets are $16. For information or tickets, call 293-6829, e-mail or visit http://www.acttheatre.com.