BANGOR – Penobscot Theatre, the city’s professional theater, will stage the romantic lament of Neil Simon’s Barney Cashman in “Last Of The Red Hot Lovers” Feb. 6-17 at the historic Bangor Opera House, 131 Main St.

“Neil Simon’s body of work is one of the highlights of modern American theater, and this – one of his earlier comedies – shows Mr. Simon in top form,” said Scott R.C. Levy, producing artistic director of PTC. “This steamy comedy should serve as the perfect antidote to the wintertime blues for you and your very own red hot lover this Valentine’s Day season.”

“Last Of The Red Hot Lovers” tells the tale of 47-year-old Barney Cashman, who longs to join the sexual revolution before it’s too late. But this gentle, sober soul with a true-blue wife of 23 years has absolutely no experience in adultery and fails in three seductions – the flaunting sexpot, the kooky actress and the strictly moral best friend of his wife.

Rich Kimball, now in his 10th season at the theater, stars as Barney. Kimball, who recently appeared as Smee in “Peter Pan,” has appeared in 30 PTC productions, including “The Fantasticks,” “Tartuffe,” “Communicating Doors” and “Spinning Into Butter.”

Kimball also has lent his talents to the Acadia Repertory Theatre. He is the assistant principal and a teacher at Brewer Middle School, a veteran of local television and radio, and the play-by-play voice of University of Maine football.

Playing Bobbi in “Last Of the Red Hot Lovers” is Sarah-Jane Casey, who has appeared in such television offerings as “Law & Order,” “New York Streets,” “Xena: Warrior Princess,” “Hercules” and “Shortland Street.” Her theatre credits include the American premiere of “The Boys” for the Outhouse Theatre Company and the American premiere of “Bed” for One Year Lease Theatre Company. She also has appeared in plays for the Winter Harbor Theatre Company and the Stonington Opera House.

Joye Cook-Levy, PTC director of education and outreach, plays Elaine. She holds a master’s degree from NYU in educational theater and has been teaching and directing for more than 10 years. Her play “Onion Girl,” about her native Iowa, was a sellout success at the 2004 New York International Fringe Festival, while her short “Boys Counting Down” was presented at last year’s Northern Writes New Play Festival. She is on the faculty of the University of Maine.

Playing Jeanette is Jeri Misler, who has taught acting at the theater’s summer theater workshops and is Bucksport High School’s drama instructor. She has a master’s in fine arts from the University of Pittsburgh and directs Winterport Open Stage and the improvisational comedy troupe Open Stage Improv.

Directing “Last Of The Red Hot Lovers” is New York-based Suzana Berger, a teaching artist for Epic Theatre Ensemble, Vital Theatre Company, Classic Stage Company and Brooklyn Academy of Music.

Lex Liang is in his third season as resident scenic and costume designer with PTC. This year, he was the youngest person ever admitted as a member of the United Scenic Artists, Local 829, as a scenic and costume designer.

Making his debut with PTC is lighting designer Driscoll Otto, whose credits include “Showboat” at Utah Festival Opera.

Sponsors of the current production are Spectrum Medical Group, production sponsor; New England Health Search, Production Underwriter; The Charles Inn, hospitality sponsor; and media sponsors WLBZ NewsCenter 2, The Maine Edge, the radio stations of Cumulus Broadcasting and the Bangor Daily News.

Performances will be held at 7 p.m. Thursdays, Feb. 7 and 14; 8 p.m. Fridays, Feb. 8 and 15; 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16; and 2 p.m. Sundays, Feb. 10 and 17. For tickets, call 942-3333.

During the 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9, performance, the Maine Discovery Museum will host a Parents’ Night Out between 4:30 and 9 p.m. Preregister with the museum at 262-7200.