Imagine meeting your soul mate ... on his or her wedding day.

That's just what happens to Phoebe Craddock (OU junior Ginger Collins) in Romantic Comedy, which opens today at 8 p.m. at the Stuart Opera House in Nelsonville.

In the words of director Pat Elisar, Romantic Comedy is "the story of two people who met at the wrong time and would have had a mutually great love affair if they hadn't."

Romantic Comedy is the fourth show of the Athenian Players' theater season. The Athenian Players, formed five years ago, are a community theater group comprised of Athens residents, students and community members from surrounding areas.

The play, written by Bernard Slade, begins in the '60s and spans the 10 year story of the ill-timed love of Jason Charmichael (Dave Peffer) and Phoebe.

"It's a love story, and if it's done right it's also very funny." Elisar said.

Jason and Phoebe, both playwrights, meet right before Jason's wedding because Phoebe is to become his writing collaborator. They immediately are attracted to one another but realize they must keep their feelings under wraps because their romance simply cannot become a reality.

Complicating things further, Jason's marriage is for all the wrong reasons. He is upset because he is marrying Allison St. James (Tracy Corrigan), more for her social status and prestige than because he loves her, Elisar said.

Jason and Phoebe become partners and form a deep friendship. They are separated but eventually reunite and must confront their continuing love for each other.

"Phoebe starts out a bit naive, but she's mainly about being honest with her emotions and what she thinks. She's not afraid to tell Jason what's wrong," Collins said.

Romantic Comedy will be OU grad student Elisar's directorial debut. Elisar has had roles in the OU mainstage productions of Kindertransport and Hedda Gabler and it was her stage experience that has helped her make the transition to directing.

"Once you have been directed for a while, you sort of pick up on what needs to be done," said Jake Jacobson, who plays "Leo Janowitz."

Elisar allowed a lot of input, and unlike some directors who develop the character for you, she let us do it ourselves, Jacobson said.

Romantic Comedy opens Friday at 8 p.m. with additional performances April 25, and May 1 and 2 at 8 p.m. with a matinee at 3 p.m. April 26. All performances will be held at the Stuart Opera House in Nelsonville.Tickets cost $8 and may be purchased by calling the Stuart Opera House at 740-753-1924.