Any production that begins with the (ahem) ‘See you next Tuesday’ word sets you up for a wild time for sure. POTUS: Or Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive, now onstage at D’Youville Kavinoky Theatre, proves that.

If you’re not OK with some language, mentions – even euphemistically – of intimate relations, drug use, and visibly  leaky mommy breasts, move along: this show and review won’t be for you. However, if you want to howl with laughter and yes, just howl (shout out to Aleks Malejs whose character Bernadette leads a mighty stage howl), well, keep reading and pause only to order your tickets online.

POTUS is a behind the scenes look at the inner workings of the Oval Office through the eyes of the President’s key players including his chief of staff, his press rep, his wife, his babymama, and his sister. What a cast! And – my goodness – what a cast playing this cast!

Vernia Sharisse Garvin is POTUS’ wife Margaret, whose trying hard to keep up with her reputation as being “earthy.” Lisa Ludwig is smooth and controlled as Harriet his chief of staff whose juggling diplomats and internal relations while POTUS  is otherwise engaged. Of course she enlists the aid of Jean, White House press secretary expertly  played by Camilla Maxwell, who’s trying to find the right spin for this and other situations with a briefing notebook and a smile. Harriet is also mentoring meek-as-a-mouse admin Stephanie (the hilarious Arin Lee Dandes), who is holding tight to her affirmations and playlists to give herself confidence and stature. It’s all right until Dusty wanders in (Maria Pedro) looking for the President and Chris (Shannell Dixon), White House reporter is digging for a bigger story. And then in struts POTUS’ sister Bernadette (Aleks Malejs), fresh out of prison, wanting her bro to pardon her, while she’s putting together the financing for her tattoo parlor by selling drugs to the cabinet. And no, I haven’t even gotten to the good part yet!

This show is part “I Love Lucy” meets the Marx Brothers with some good ol’ fashioned slapstick layered on top of a sophisticated “who said it hasn’t already happened’ political story that can only be a comedy. Every word of playwright Selina Fillinger’s script is baked with the irony of reality and it’s all quite good. This cast is up to the task: they’re on fire together and it makes for a brilliant ensemble.

Pedro as Dusty, fresh from her mid-west farm in a ‘70s-era granny gown is a riot. Her Karaoke scene with Dandes (tripping on something she found in Bernadette’s purse) is a scream. Watch Dandes’ face when she helps herself to the “Tums” in Bernadette’s bag. Every expression is wonder and presence and just a little out there: she’s exceptional. Malejs is the shocker here: we all love it when she plays a sharp and smart role; this time she’s street smart and savvy and too damn funny for words. Her comeback when Dusty introduces herself will become a classic memory line.

Director Kate Powers, Fight Director Adriano Gatto, Set Designer Dyan Burlingame (the set cleverly folds in and out to create distinct inside and outside spaces) and their team created the right space for this tour de force comic cast. Because when it comes to POTUS – fact or fiction – laughing is our best defense.

POTUS is onstage until October 20, and it runs just under two hours with a 15-minute intermission. Find tickets and details at kavinokytheatre.com.

PS Substance use is no joke: if you or a loved one is struggling or wants help with recovery, reach out to Spectrum Health and Human Services or Save the Michaels of the World. There is always hope.