"The Nerd," a comedy by Larry Shue, opens Thursday, March 20, and continues through Sunday, April 13, at the Atlantic Stage Theatre at 79th Avenue North. Tickets range from $10 to $27.50.

The two-act play takes place in 1979 in Terre Haute, Ind., when Willum, a young architect, is visited by Rick, a former GI whom he's never met, but who saved his life in Vietnam. Willum is excited to welcome his pal until he turns out to be an inept and inappropriate "nerd" and outstays his welcome with a vengeance.

Marcus McIntyre plays the role of Willum, and Billy Sharpe plays Rick. Kristi McIntyre and Jason Adams portray Willum's friends Tansy and Axel. Vaughn Cox is Walgrave, the hotel owner who hired Willum; Alysha Cieniewicz plays his wife Clelia; and Jack Penn plays their son, Thor.

Thom Penn directs the production. Set design is by Vincent Masterpaul, and costumes are by Christy O'Conner. Marjorie Mitchell and Sandi Shackleford of Mad Hatter Inc. are in charge of props, and Patrice Reynolds Pate is the stage manager.

Atlantic Stage invites theatergoers to donate nonperishable items for the North Strand Helping Hand food pantry, along with clothing and household items.

"The Nerd" was first produced in 1981 by Milwaukee Repertory Theater and was on Broadway in 1987.

Performances held nightly, Thursday through Saturday, March 20 through April 12, at 7:30 p.m.; and on Sundays, March 23 through April 13, at 3 p.m. Sunday showings March 23 through April 6 will be followed by a talkback session with the cast and director.

For tickets, call the box office at 877-287-8587, or visit the box office. Atlantic Stage is located in the Coastal Carolina University Myrtle Beach Education Center on the corner of 79th Avenue North and U.S. 17 Bypass. The box office is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from noon to 4 p.m.

Atlantic Stage is a professional, nonprofit theatre whose focus is to enhance the cultural landscape of the Myrtle Beach area by providing quality theatrical productions of classical, contemporary, and new works that are entertaining and enlightening. Atlantic Stage is an ensemble of professional resident artists committed to artistic excellence, community enrichment, and educational outreach.