No wood was immediately available to knock on, so Michele Renner did the next best thing and just stopped talking.

She didn't want to jinx things.

Renner had been discussing Tuesday afternoon how smoothly preparation for her latest production, "Moon Over Buffalo," was going. The first play of Dakota Stage Ltd.'s 25th season starts Thursday.

"Normally right now I'd be running around like a chicken with my head cut off," Renner said. "But I only have a couple things left to do. The show has gone as smoothly as any of the ones I've directed."

She said the eight cast members meshed perfectly, and work on the set, costumes, lighting and sound came together fast and well. All that's left is to raise the curtain to the public.

The lesser-known production might seem an odd choice to kick off DSL's silver season, but Renner said "Moon Over Buffalo" was a great choice.

"It's a really funny comedy that appeals to a wide audience," the director said. "It's a fast-paced, door-slamming comedy. Every time I watch it I laugh at something different."

Though it may have wide appeal, the play might further split the sides of anyone who's been involved in community theater. Writer Ken Ludwig captured the behind-the-scenes follies apparently common in smaller productions.

Set in Buffalo, N.Y., in 1953, the play's main characters are George and Charlotte Hay, aging community-theater actors who desire to make it to the big screen. When word gets around that Frank Capra will be in the audience for a matinee presentation of their show, the Hays set out to impress, thinking they may land roles in Capra's next film.

Obstacle after obstacle stand in their way, however. Most of the action takes place in the green room, where actors gather before performing, Renner said, which can be quite a hectic and confusing place at show time.

Ludwig's play opened on Broadway in 1995, with Carol Burnett playing Charlotte. She and Philip Bosco, who played George, were nominated for Tony Awards for best actress and actor in 1996.

In Renner's version, Dan Jackson will play George and Marlene Engel will take on Charlotte. Other characters are played by Jennifer Heinz, Kathy Beulow, Jim Quarnstrom, Dirk Hugget, Tammi Helmers and Gene Walsdorf. The play is assistant directed by Wendell Nelson.

"Moon Over Buffalo" will run Thursday through Sunday and Oct. 22-26. Curtain will be at 8 p.m. every day except Sundays, when it will be at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $10 for seniors and students. They're also $10 for adults for shows on Wednesday and Thursday, but $12.50 for shows Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

They're available by calling 258-4998 or by stopping by the box office at 412 E. Main Ave.

(Reach Tony Spilde at 250-8260 or tspilde@ndonline.com.)