Early productions of Christopher Durang’s farcical comedy “Beyond Therapy,” being staged by P.T.D. Productions, featured a tricky set design element.

“The way they did it on Broadway, and the way Durang … talked about doing it in the script, in his notes, is to have a conveyor belt bringing the set pieces across the front of the stage, and the actors would take them off,” said Joe York, director of P.T.D.’s show.

And while P.T.D. is not trying to replicate this, they will try to capture the offbeat whimsy of Durang’s story.

Set in the early ’80s (the play premiered off-Broadway in ’81, starring Sigourney Weaver and Stephen Collins, then moved to Broadway in ’82, starring Dianne Wiest and John Lithgow), the play focuses on 2 Manhattanites, Prudence and Bruce, who meet on a date by way of a personal ad.

The date goes terribly — homophobic Prudence is turned off by bisexual, quick-to-cry Bruce — so both go to their off-the-wall therapists for counsel. When Prudence and Bruce find themselves on a 2nd date, they take a liking to each other, but then Bruce’s live-in boyfriend Bob intervenes.

PREVIEW "Beyond Therapy" Who: P.T.D. Productions. What: Christopher Durang's comedy about two Manhattanites who meet through a personal ad, have a terrible date, talk about the experience with their off-the-wall therapists, and find themselves on a second date. Where: Riverside Arts Center, 76 North Huron Street in Ypsilanti. When: 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, March 11-20, with 1 matinee on Sunday, March 14 at 2 p.m. How much: $16 ($11 for students and seniors). Thursdays are pay-what-you-can. Information: 734-483-7345 or P.T.D. Productions web site.

“It’s hilarious, and we had a real good time reading it for play selection,” said York, “so it got a pretty rousing round of acceptance (from P.T.D.).”

The therapists play a key role in the comedy. Stuart, Prudence’s doctor, is arrogant, macho, and once slept with Prudence in the past. To visually convey Stuart’s trouble with professional boundaries, York and his set crew have placed him in an office with no walls.

Meanwhile, Bruce’s doctor, Charlotte, forgets simple words and infantilizes her patients, making a stuffed Snoopy bark during sessions.

“Charlotte’s not going to have a desk or office chairs in her office,” said York of the set. “It’s going to have bean bag chairs, and crayons and tablets for her clients to color.”

Thus, the comedy not only takes on the thorny issues of sexuality and courtship, but also the explosion of therapy in the late 20th century.

And while, on the face of it, the play appears critical of “the talking cure,” York is quick to point out, “It’s not realistic picture of how therapists operate. … It’s pretty farcical, but still the characters and their strivings, their arc, are still very realistic in what they want.”

P.T.D. Productions' "Beyond Therapy" promo video:

Jenn McKee is the entertainment digital journalist for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at jennmckee@annarbor.com or 734-623-2546, and follow her on Twitter @jennmckee.