Before there was “Black Mirror,” “American Horror Story” — or even color TV for that matter — families across the country would gather around their television sets for a chilling dose of Friday night entertainment by watching “The Twilight Zone.”

Created and hosted by the visionary Rod Serling, “The Twilight Zone” brought audiences tales of suspense, moral dilemmas and the bizarre, often exploring beyond the boundaries of reality, fear and human nature.

For the past two decades, one local theater company has been honoring the legacy of this legendary show and its iconic creator by bringing “The Twilight Zone” to life, on stage, giving audiences a chance to experience the eerie and unsettling stories in a whole new way — live, in color, and with a little humorous twist to take the edge off.

For the next three weekends, the Theater Company of Lafayette, 300 E. Simpson St., Lafayette, is kicking off another installment of its ever-popular “Twilight Zone Parody.” This time, the theater troupe is celebrating the 100th birthday of “The Twilight Zone” creator, Rod Serling, with a production that includes three episodes and three commercials — each a playful nod to Serling’s groundbreaking work.

Directed by Ian Gerber, Madge Montgomery and Hannah Richards, the staged production features iconic “Twilight Zone” episodes like “Will the Real Martian Please Stand Up?,” “Time Enough at Last” and “Twenty Two,” adapted for the stage with a blend of parody and originality — while still sticking to Serling’s scripts. Taking place over several performances, this production offers fans both old and new an opportunity to go beyond the screen and take a step into the fifth dimension.

Madge Montgomery, the Theater Company of Lafayette’s artistic director since 2003, has played a pivotal role in developing the theater’s reputation for unique productions. She recalls the origins of their “Twilight Zone” parodies: “We started these shows as a fun way to balance homage and humor, gently poking fun at the series while celebrating its brilliance.”

This year, Montgomery will be directing a production based on the episode, “Will the Real Martian Please Stand Up?” which is, according to Montgomery, a personal favorite.

“It’s a perfect mix of suspense and humor, set almost entirely in a diner, which works well on stage,” Montgomery said. The plot follows a group of travelers stranded overnight in a diner who suspect that one among them may be a Martian after a flying saucer is spotted nearby.

Montgomery points out the social commentary embedded in Serling’s work, especially in this episode.

“It taps into how fear makes people turn on each other, a theme that’s still relevant today,” Montgomery said.

She also admires Serling’s skill in sneaking social issues into his writing.

“Serling initially didn’t write much science fiction, but when he realized sponsors wouldn’t approve certain scripts — like one he wrote about Emmett Till’s lynching — he started framing important social issues within supernatural stories,” Montgomery said.

Montgomery said she believes Serling would be surprised by the enduring appeal of “The Twilight Zone.”

“He passed away young, at 50, but this year marks what would’ve been his 100th birthday, and people are still watching these stories, even performing them,” Montgomery said. “It’s a testament to the time

less quality of his work.”

For Ian Gerber, who has been portraying Rod Serling on and off since 2005, said that playing Serling is a deeply personal experience.

“My dad admired Serling, not just because of the show, but for his commitment to civil rights and equality,” Gerber said. “Serling stood against prejudice and championed open-mindedness. Though as a kid, I just thought the show was spooky and cool. I started playing Serling before my dad passed away, and although he never got the chance to see me perform, this role always reminds me of him.”

This year Gerber is not only portraying Serling but is also directing “Time Enough at Last” — the heartbreaking episode where Henry Bemis, a man desperate for time to read, survives a nuclear apocalypse only for a heartbreaking turn of events to render him completely helpless.

“It’s a fan favorite,” Gerber said. “The twist at the end is devastating, and anyone familiar with the episode knows exactly what I’m talking about.”

For the production, Gerber has taken a unique approach by incorporating a Greek chorus-like ensemble to narrate and enhance Henry’s journey.

“It adds a new dynamic to the performance and makes it different from the usual straightforward adaptations,” Gerber said.

Gerber said he hopes audiences appreciate Serling’s brilliance as a storyteller.

“These stories, over 60 years old, still resonate today,” he said. “I want people to see how timeless his writing is, even when we bring it to life in a new way on stage.”

Hannah Richards, the youngest among the directors, brings a fresh perspective to the production with her adaptation of “Twenty Two.”

“I chose this episode because it has a really creepy vibe,” she said. “It’s about a dancer named Liz who’s in a mental ward, haunted by dreams of a woman telling her, ‘Room for one more, honey.’ It’s definitely one of the eerier episodes, but I saw a feminist undertone in it that I wanted to bring out.”

Richards, who grew up watching “The Twilight Zone” — thanks to her dad’s questionable taste in movies but solid picks in TV shows, she said — admits she took some creative liberties with the ending.

“I felt like Liz’s ending wasn’t as likable as it could be, so I tweaked it to make her character more relatable,” Richards said. “I know it’s a parody but I wanted it to feel grounded. People come to the theater to see themselves in these stories, so that’s what I’m aiming for.”

Richards said her hope for the audience is twofold: “I want people to walk away thinking about how important it is to listen to women — that’s a huge theme in my episode. But I also want them to see that while nostalgia is great, progress is just as important.”

For tickets to “Twilight Zone Parody: Serling Centennial,” visit the Theater Company of Lafayette’s website at tclstage.org. Tickets are $22 and the production is at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 1 and 2 and Nov. 8 and 9; with matinees at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3 and Nov. 10.