MONMOUTH – Excellent characterizations are at the heart of good theater, and once again the talented performers of The Theatre at Monmouth deliver the goods in “Idiot’s Delight.”

Robert Sherwood’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play of the mid-1930s opened Friday at Cumston Hall. Presented in repertory through Aug. 20, it adds a fascinating and highly entertaining twist to the summer’s mixed schedule that ranges from Shakespeare to contemporary comedy.

With war clouds forming throughout Europe, an interesting assortment of travelers bound for Geneva find themselves detained at a hotel on the Swiss-Italian border. There’s the glib American with a checkered past in small-time vaudeville. His career is looking up as he shepherds “Les Blondes,” a quartet of chorines, to club appearances throughout the Continent. There’s a mystery woman from Russia, an unctuous munitions magnate, a German doctor, honeymooning Brits, menacing fascists and many others.

Each of them is a memorable and believable character in this political comedy that could have been campy or cartoonish in less capable hands.

Sally Wood, artistic director at The Theatre at Monmouth, deserves credit for the success of “Idiot’s Delight,” her first directorial effort here. She calls the play “funny, intelligent, savage and honest,” and she skillfully weaves all of those elements into this production.

Janis Stevens, a five-year veteran at Monmouth, is perfect as the enigmatic Irene (ee-ray-na, if you please). Bill Van Horn, a Monmouth favorite for the past three years, gives just the right brash but compassionate portrayal to Harry Van, who’s onto Irene’s veiled past.

Lead roles, secondary roles and bit parts get equal attention in Wood’s direction. It’s fun to recognize actors from other Monmouth productions in roles with completely opposite qualities.

Daniel Noel’s portrayal of arms merchant Achille Weber sets the pivotal tone for this thought-provoking play. His imposing presence and aloof attitude underscore the ominous themes of “Idiot’s Delight.”

Tanya Wineland and Dustin Tucker as Mr. and Mrs. Cherry, the newlyweds from England, offer some fine comedic moments, especially in Wineland’s first sips of vodka.

The other extreme is ably presented by Andrew Towler as Quillery, the ultra-intense pacifist whose enthusiasm leads to his death.

There’s important substance even in characters who are whisked onstage and then off in scenes to advance the plot. Tommy Schoffler is effective as the officious Italian captain. Dennis A. Price gives a paradoxical spin to the German doctor whose dreams of curing cancer take a dire turn as he heads back to his homeland. The four young ladies who comprise Les Blondes (Kate Galvin, Abi Van Andel, Danielle Jones and Caroline Hewitt) also reveal brief but significant depth of characterization.

This play is not produced often. Wood and Monmouth Producing Director David Greenham said it was the strong recommendation of Mark S. Cartier (Dumptsy, the wistful Austrian waiter caught up in world affairs he can’t comprehend) that led them to consider it.

“It became our first choice for the 2004 schedule,” Greenham told the opening-night audience.

Although it’s billed as a political comedy, “Idiot’s Delight” is difficult to categorize. It’s fast-paced. There’s some song and dance. Tragedy quickly follows on the heels of comedy as Sherwood’s play accents the ironies of sincere pacificism colliding with blind politics.

In historical hindsight, “Idiot’s Delight” is particularly fascinating for today’s audiences. Written three years before the official start of World War II, the play foreshadows actual events, but it can also be seen as prophecy for any era.

“Idiot’s Delight” opened at The Theater at Monmouth on Friday, July 23. Evening shows will be 7:30 p.m. July 29 and Aug. 12, 13 and 20. A matinee Saturday, Aug. 7, will be at 2 p.m. Tickets are $22 for general admission, $20 for seniors/matinees and $18 for students. People can order tickets by calling the box office, (207) 933-9999.