The romantic comedy "Apartment 3A" opens Thursday at Little Lake Theatre in North Strabane, and if playwright Jeff Daniels doesn't sound familiar, actor Jeff Daniels should ring some bells.

Mr. Daniels, who started writing plays in 1991, was also cheating husband, Flap, in the 1983 film "Terms of Endearment" and more lately has appeared in films such as "Good Night and Good Luck" and "RV."

Little Lake artistic director Sunny Disney Fitchett said she admired Mr. Daniels' plays for their "heart," so much so that his work will appear at the theatre again in November, when the comedy "Escanaba in Da Moonlight" opens.

"It's sort of the 'year of Jeff Daniels,'" said "3A" director Art DeConciliis with a laugh. He, too, admires the playwright. "You can tell he's an actor by the way he writes," he said. "He gives each character some really nice moments, and his work is very character-driven."

Mr. DeConciliis, 46, of Bethel Park, added that he welcomed the opportunity to "focus on character development," a task made easier by the fact that "3A" is a small ensemble piece with just five cast members.

"Apartment 3A" tracks Annie, played by Nikki McCrea, as she confronts a cheating boyfriend, breaks down during a fund-raising television appearance, and goes in search of her lost faith in love.

Aaron Bernard plays Annie's adoring co-worker Elliot, while Will Schaefer plays Donald, her mysterious neighbor who warns Annie not to fall in love with him, despite their emotional connection.

Mr. DeConciliis called the play a contemporary version of the romantic comedy, and Ms. McCrea, who has worked at Little Lake since she was 15 and in the apprentice program, agreed the play's characters were "still looking for the same things, love and romance."

Ms. McCrea, 29, from Polish Hill, said Annie is her biggest role yet at Little Lake, but that her job is a bit easier since she knows one of her co-stars well: Mr. Bernard is her boyfriend. "But even though we know each other," she added, "we don't know each other as these characters." Ms. McCrea is an administrative assistant at the Princeton Review.

Mr. Schaefer, 34, of the South Side Slopes, said his character, Donald, offers Annie the kind of relationship she needs but fears. "He's able to break down her barriers," he said, adding that audiences should be prepared for some surprises. Mr. Schaefer teaches in the Pittsburgh Public Schools.

"You have to consider, are we becoming too jaded these days for romantic comedy?" Mr. DeConciliis asked. "This play overcomes that."

"Apartment 3A" is at Little Lake Theatre, Route 19 South, near Donaldson's Crossroads, North Strabane, at 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Aug. 23-25, Aug. 30-Sept. 1; 2 p.m. Aug. 26. Tickets are $13.50 - $15, $8 children 15 and younger. Call 724-745-6300.