NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Actors Bridge Ensemble continues to be a breath of fresh theatrical air.

Their recent run of THE BOOK OF LIZ showed that after more than a decade the eclectic and talented group nurtured by Bill Feehely, Vali Forrister and others still delights and surprises. And that’s true of the troupe whether it’s powerful drama or something that knocks you silly.

THE BOOK OF LIZ would definitely fall into the latter category. It’s written by siblings David Sedaris (THE SANTALAND DIAIRES) and Amy Sedaris (Comedy Central’s STRANGERS WITH CANDY).  Its surreal story was mined for all comic possibilities at Belmont University’s Black Box Theater under the effective direction of Jessika Malone.

Sister Elizabeth Donderstock (Rachel Agee) is a member of the Squeamish religious sect in New England. Her gift from God is the ability to make the finest traditional and smoky cheese balls around, which financially supports the Cluster Haven community in which she lives.

She’s not feeling the love, though, from the Squeamish brethren, particularly leader Reverend Tollhouse (Dave Shetler) and the newly arrived Brother Nathanial Brightbee (Rebekah Durham).  So Sister Donderstock decides to give the wide world a try, meeting Ukrainians with British accents and finding work at a Pilgrim-themed restaurant. What will she learn about the world – and herself?

I won’t spoil the fun for those who may see a production of this piece in the future, but the lessons learned come in pointedly funny, and often satirical, ways. There are comic comments on fundamentalism, but the play’s net catches us all by sending up the often shallow assumptions we make about the world and each other.

Doing the sending up were some very good performers. Malone’s cast – which also included Andrea Ridge in multiple roles and Rachel Short as Sister Bobbin – didn’t miss an opportunity to make us laugh or think.

Agee has long been well-regarded not just for her overall acting talents (I still think about her star turn in a 2003 production of MISERY for Circle Players) but for her comic ability. She added to that reputation with this show, not just in the lead role but in a painfully funny cameo as aged Brother Hesikiah. That character has no lines, just entrances and exits. Agee made those movements unforgettably hilarious with simple gestures. That’s all a good actor has to do.

Shetler, Durham and Ridge handled their numerous roles with smooth transitions, good timing and deft differentiation. They, along with Short, were a true ensemble that worked together well, and seemed to be having fun while still staying appropriately focused on presenting believable characters.

Set designer Don Griffiths came up with some wonderfully absurd backdrops for this show. Dusty Shaffer’s costumes struck the right silly notes, and Mitch Massaro also deserves a nod for his spot-on lighting.

ABE plans more laughs this season. They’ve got Sam Shephard’s SIMPATICO (May 15-24) and the Nashville premiere of Sarah Ruhl’s DEAD MAN’S CELL PHONE (July 24-Aug. 2) on tap in addition to their annual ACT LIKE A GRRRL event July 2-3.

In these troubled times, a good laugh has certainly been hard to come by. With THE BOOK OF LIZ Actors Bridge Ensemble definitely supplied them. Given their track record here’s my prediction that with their upcoming schedule more of the comic relief we all need is just around the corner.