The lights are set. The costumes are prepared. The actors are ready to shine.

The cast and crew of “Jake’s Women” will kick off Ames Community Theatre’s (ACTORS) 48th season with a Neil Simon play. The semi-autobiographical play features Jake, played by Dean Stevens, who is going through marital problems with his second wife, Maggie. Jake dwells on his past, focusing on all the women throughout his life with whom he has had relationships.

“I feel for Jake because his life is screwed up,” Stevens says.

“He can’t have a normal life — he tries, but he always falls back on the woman.”

Stevens, an Ames resident, has been involved with ACTORS since 1975, performing in approximately 45 ACTORS productions in the area, including “Oliver” and “1776.”

Neil Simon fans will be drawn to this play, Stevens says, but may be a bit surprised. “Jake’s Women” is lesser known and isn’t as comedic as regular Neil Simon originals.

“It doesn’t have a lot of Neil Simon zingers, but [it] does have some moments,” Stevens says.

In the play, Jake is a writer known for his fantasies. He has continuous internal conversations with his sister, his analyst, his daughter, his deceased first wife and his current wife. Although Jake and his second wife are separated, he is trying to get intimate again.

Susan Norris, who plays Maggie, says the play revolves around the characters’ interactions.

“It’s really about relationships,” Norris says. “There are funny bits, though.”

Norris has been involved with ACTORS since 1991. She has been in numerous musicals, but “Jake’s Women” is her second play. She reveals a little sign of nervousness.

“In musicals, when I mess up, I can always knock ’em dead with a song,” Norris says.

“In a play, it’s harder to sell the character without song. I do like the challenge, though.”

The play seems to be directed toward men who can relate to Jake, says Mike Miller, director of the play.

“I think there’s a little bit of Jake in all men,” he says.

Miller says he considers the play a “dramedy” because it contains drama scenes relating to relationships and love, but it also has many comedic acts.

Miller says his favorite part about this play is directing the cast.

“I love watching them discover their character,” he says.

Stevens, Miller and Norris say they want the audience members to be affected in some way by “Jake’s Women.”

“I hope the men will think differently of the women in their lives,” Norris says.

“I hope the women will connect with one of the other women.”

Miller says he wants the audience to understand what Jake is going through and reflect on their own lives.

“I want them to be entertained,” he says. “Good theater teaches you something.”