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ATTLEBORO - Attleboro Community Theatre closes its 51st season in comic fashion with "Exit the Body," a zany whodunit by Fred Carmichael that spoofs the mystery genre with its hilarious series of entrances and exits.

The play is quick-paced with much of the credit belonging to director Beverly Darling and a perfectly chosen cast of characters.

Set in small town Vermont circa 1964, "Exit the Body" follows the adventures of a young mystery writer who takes a vacation to relax and work on her next novel. Unknown to her is that the house is a rendezvous point for jewel thieves. The focal point of the set is the closet, which opens into the living room and a library.

The play opens with several people exiting and entering the quaint set designed by Darling and Tammy England. When our mystery writer, Crane Hammond, and her assistant arrives, Crane discovers a body in the closet, only to have it disappear and be replaced by another.

As Hammond, ACT seasoned veteran Kim Alessandro uses physical humor and her quick wit to the best of her ability. Upon discovering the first body, and later the second, Alessandro faints with panache, giving a perfectly timed and humorous second look to the audience. Karen Gibson is perfect for the role of Crane's sassy assistant, displaying with a sarcastic wit her displeasure over the country surroundings. She is appropriately sardonic in her interactions with the rural characters Vernon and Jenny. She also displays humorous handling of a particular prop as well.

Tim Coogan delights the audience as Vernon Coakly, the small town sheriff/taxi driver/manure delivery man. His comic characterization is reminiscent of another Tim - Tim Conway on "The Carol Burnett Show." With his slow and steady movement on stage and droll New England accent, he reacts to the other characters and the scene with good timing as well as acting instincts. He was fun to watch and listen to. Like Gibson, he too works humorously with the props he has to work with.

Making her ACT debut, Ashley Dougan of Cumberland is Jenny the maid, who has hooked up with Randolph the "fence" to search for missing jewels. She plays the role with sweet naivete with an infectious giggle and is humorous in her attempts to stand up to Gibson as Kate. As with all mysteries there are some twists and turns in the end and Dougan plays the transition nicely.

Anthonly Paola is Randolph and his stereotypical portrayal as the bad guy is funny. He is most funny in the last act when he reads from his instruction book on thievery.

Of course adding more confusion to the humor is Barbara McCarthy as Lillian Seymour, Crane's friend. McCarthy relishes the role of prankster and stirring up trouble by introducing to the locals her new husband, Lyle Rogers, as Crane's husband. This sets off a series of mistaken Mr. Cranes which also includes Alan Stavris as the very astute and sensitive amnesiac, and of course the real Mr. Crane as portrayed by Bill Castro.

Lenny Contaxes is equally capable in his role and probably makes the most of his many exits and entrances.

Last but not least and perhaps most surprising in the end is Roberta Kriegsman as her role of busybody real estate agent Helen O'Toole.

As with most mysteries, the final scene will reveal much including a humorous romp through the house at 2 a.m. as the various teams search for the jewels.

ACT's production of "Exit the Body" continues this weekend and next weekend at the Bates Masonic Lodge, 71 North Main St., Attleboro. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. Admission is $15 adults, $13 seniors and students with ID. Call 508-226-8100 or visit attleborocommunitytheatre.com.