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The phrase "skeletons in the closet" doesn't even come close to describing the Pascals, whose ritzy Georgetown home is just overflowing with issues in "The House of Yes," opening Friday at The Maryland Ensemble Theatre.

"House of Yes" offers a unique and over the top perspective on the family drama, one Ensemble members can't wait to reveal to audiences when the play debuts this weekend.

Written by Wendy MacLeod in the 1980s and was made into a movie several years later, the extremely dark comedy has since garnered a cult following.

"This show has been on our radar for a long time," said director Gene Fouche. "The relationships, the situations, the dialogue, it's all interesting."

Featuring a cast of five, the show delves into the lives of some unique characters as they meet prodigal son Marty's new fiancée during Thanksgiving. While a hurricane of unusual characters surrounds the young woman, who tries to figure out where she fits in, an actual hurricane blows outside.

"The playwright has a great sense of characters and really fleshes out each one," said Fouche.

Perhaps the most peculiar is Marty's twin, Jackie O, an ingénue obsessed with the former first lady, emulating her in dress and hairstyle. Amber Levow, a Maryland Ensemble newcomer, portrays the twisted sister.

"I always enjoy playing the loose cannon," said Levow. "I'm allowed to say things and do things that are not acceptable in normal society. She's a blast, she's awesome."

Piling on the drama, the Pascals just so happen to live across from John F. Kennedy's former home, exactly 20 years following his assassination. This was also the night the patriarch of the family disappeared, notes Fouche.

Ensemble member Karen Paone portrays matriarch, Mrs. Pascal.

"She's a functioning alcoholic," said Paone. "She's not the nurturing or loving mother type, but she's protective of her children and their secrets."

To get into her "affluent," "haughty," and "well-to-do" character, Paone watched reruns of "Dynasty" and studied "101 Dalmatians'" Cruella Deville.

"The characters are all well written and the dialogue is snappy and quick," she said. "There are surprising things for the audience to find out, but things are revealed during the show."

As Marty, actor Matt Baughman's favorite scene is one between the twins. "It's very revealing about their relationship and how they feel about each other. It's pretty intense and Amber [Levow] is very talented so it's easy to get into the scene with her," he said.

While seeming to be the most normal of the family, appearances are not always what they seem, noted Baughman.

Fouche said the challenge inherent with such a darkly comedic work is treating it as a drama.

"The comedy comes out of the truthfulness of the characters," she said. "It's way less funny if you're trying to be funny."

Since the Maryland Ensemble stage is relatively small, Fouche and her crew worked on depicting the family's wealth with a minimalist set.

"But it portrays the off kilter scene you get when you enter the lives of these characters," she said.

‘The House of Yes'

When: Opens Friday. Through March 6

Where: Maryland Ensemble Theatre, 31 W. Patrick St., Frederick

Tickets: $19-$22

For information: 301-694-4744

www.marylandensemble.org