Combine seven wacky writers, a television star who’s addicted to alcohol and pills and an equally silly secretary. Then place them all in an office in the middle of New York City in the early 1950s, and there is only one thing that could result — “Laughter on the 23rd Floor.”

Neil Simon’s comedy “Laughter on the 23rd Floor” is currently playing at the Des Moines Playhouse. Called the most maniacal comedy of his career by many critics, the show is set in the Golden Age of television.

The show is based around the antics of seven comedy sketch writers who each have their own unique personality and set of problems. The characters are based upon actual personalities that Simon worked with on Sid Caesar’s “Your Show of Shows,” including Carl Reiner, Mel Brooks, Woody Allen, Larry Gelbart, Selma Diamond and Danny Simon.

Heading up the group is television star Max Prince, whose temper and addictions are starting to get a little out of control. Prince is played by Maxwell Schaeffer, known by many local radio listeners as half of KIOA’s “the Maxwell and Polly Morning Show.”

Prince, who is facing pressures from the network, is forced to cut back the length and budget of his show. He is particularly dismayed with the restrictions it is putting on his sketches due to the fear of being blacklisted by Senator Joseph McCarthy.

As the network continues to interfere in his show, Prince turns to alcohol and pills, longtime habits-turned-addictions that are necessary to get him through the day.

While the situation worsens, the writers get more worried, but they also get more funny. Despite the fact that they eventually break up, the experiences they gain from working together are nothing short of remarkable and memorable.

Lee Ann Bakros, marketing director for the Des Moines Playhouse, said the show combines a very talented and experienced cast, including several local radio personalities.

“Some have professional training and have performed in Los Angeles and have now come back to the area,” Bakros said.

Ron Ziegler, director of the show, agreed, saying that it is a very good product. “I was very fortunate in that I was able to cast some of the best people in the area,” he said.

Ira, the role that is most identified with Woody Allen, is played by Iowa State graduate Mark John Conley.

Conley said the show puts together a lot of seasoned veterans, but even those without much experience are remarkable.

“No one really outshines the others. There’s a tremendous sense of ensemble,” Conley said.

While audiences should be advised that the play does contain language that may be offensive, Conley urges people to come with an open mind.

Despite the humor, “Laughter on the 23rd Floor” does have one element that most theater tries to incorporate — an underlying message for the audience to go away with.

While the show deals with the censorship that prevailed in the film industry and the arts in the 1950s, Conley said it is important to recognize the relevance of this topic and how it affects us even in the 1990s.

“You could draw parallels to today,” Conley said in reference to the reviewing of funding for the National Endowment of the Arts by Congress.

Conley, who was a 1983 graduate in theater, most recently appeared on the Fisher Theater stage as a guest artist in the 1991 presentation of “As If.” Conley was very active in Iowa State theater as a student and gave credit to the program for his success as a professional.

“I can attribute much of the success of the reception of my character to the training I had at Iowa State,” Conley said.

“Laughter on the 23rd Floor” plays through June 22 with shows Wednesday through Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are available through the Playhouse box office by calling (515) 277-6261. The Des Moines Playhouse is located at 831 42nd Street.