Chris Stepnitz, one of the ensemble cast members in Avon Players’ upcoming production of “Laughter on the 23rd Floor,” describes the play as “mostly funny with a chance of serious.”

Written by Neil Simon, the play is based on his experiences writing for Sid Caesar’s “Your Show of Shows” and offers a behind-the-scenes look at creating a comedy sketch program. It’s set against the backdrop of the McCarthy era (in the early 1950s when U.S. Sen. Joseph McCarthy conducted a campaign against alleged communists in the U.S. government and other institutions).

“It’s a regional show that’s going nationwide. They’re getting all their ideas down. NBC comes in and wants to make it appeal to more people and squeeze the art out of it,” explains Stepnitz, a Clawson resident who plays Brian Doyle, one of the writers. “They wanted censorship.”

In the play, Max Prince (Ben Feliciano of West Bloomfield) is the Sid Caesar-like star of the popular 1950s comedy-variety series. It’s a major hit on the East Coast, but network executives insist it’s too sophisticated for the Midwest and want Prince to dumb down his act.

Stepnitz said there’s a lot of “good banter in the room.” For example: “I’m the lone Gentile in the room. There’s a joke-off between my character and (Mel Brooks-like) character Ira Stone (Richard Marcil of Clinton Township). They throw it in my face that I’m not Jewish, and I throw it in their face that I’m a Gentile.”

Lucas Brickman (Brandon Niemi), a young comedy writer acts as Neil Simon’s alter-ego or stand-in. “He’ll speak to the audience briefly. We’ll all freeze,” Stepnitz said.

Stepnitz, who sells packaging for Universal Container, grew up in Rochester. He holds a bachelor’s degree in theater from Western Michigan University. “I wanted to be a stage actor and (do) improv comedy.

“I moved to New York and met my wife. Next thing you know, I’m a father. That’s why I took a 22-year break. They were high school age when I got involved with Avon Players (in 2016).” His daughter is now a nurse at Corewell Health and his son is Clawson’s assistant city manager.

“I’ve performed in some plays at St. Dunstan’s Theater in Bloomfield Hills and the Village Players in Birmingham,” Stepnitz said.

While Stepnitz enjoys making people laugh, he has performed in dramas. He acted as Col. Nathan Jessup in Avon Players’s production of “A Few Good Men.” “Not every theater would try to tackle something like that. We have the confidence to tackle any show,” he said.

Stepnitz praises the “dynamic cast” and the efforts of director Marlaina Jurco of Oakland.

“We treat it like it’s more than just a hobby,” he added.