Richard Dresser’s “Wolf at the Door” invites you within a series of rent-controlled apartments facing a huff-and-puff crisis.

But don’t be afraid of the big bad wolf.

Dresser’s play, which had its premiere at Key City Public Theatre, deals with the insane comedy of helping the apartment tenants survive and hopefully makes us laugh.

The funniest stuff includes three solid comic entrances; your basic New Yorker schtick (Neil Simon); one Norwegian song/dance; not one, but two comic marriage proposals; and some high-contrast double castings.

Opening night, April 13, rolled right along for 90 minutes (no intermission).

Initially, the actors seemed to be sounding out the audience for any semi-predictable laughs during their first exposure to a packed crowd. This resulted in some low-key volume, mediocre comic timings and tentative delivery of punch lines.

Everything changes once the building contractor (played by Dillon Porter) shows up, instantly forcing open the full farcical potential of this world premiere comedy.

‘I HAVE A VISION’

“Wolf at the Door” was full of political implications, including:

• Alleged deaths of one or more tenants due to a faulty elevator, along with odd references to New Rochelle (the town settled by refugee Protestants in 1688 who were fleeing Catholic pogroms?)

• Lovely innocence of Keith and April (played by Chuck Filipov and Aba Kiser), leading to his conscription as tenant protest leader, only to be betrayed by the same draft board. To wit, the show’s best line: “It’s sad when something that never happens comes to an end.”

• Obligatory Trump-isms: “Big Brother” demanding loyalty from his tenants and isolating all Norwegian immigrants on Floor 7. “Plans are for losers. I have a vision.”

TALENT ON, Off THE STAGE

Denise Winter, Key City Public Theater artistic director and director of “Wolf at the Door,” deserves much credit for sharing another new full-length play with us.

This latest venture transports us into the private living spaces of a handful of poor apartment dwellers, allowing us to observe these poor souls from the safety of the audience.

Her masterful casting pays off as the fledgling characters must learn to interact with each other during an existential threat to their rent-controlled nest.

As Keith, the intrepid hero, Filipov gives a beautifully controlled performance throughout the show, leading the audience at all times.

Kiser makes a smashing entrance as April, then proceeds to rabble-rouse and fascinate with her flickering obsessions. She also plays Tina, a svelte, tolerant wife.

Michelle Hensel enters the play as Gertrude, a charming old dame in casual dress whose husband died in a faulty elevator. Hensel also plays Vanessa, who unwittingly attracts a Norwegian interloper who soon proposes marriage.

Jade Evans first appears as everyone’s favorite visitor who aids and abets, and then appears as Quaneshna, entering regally, as if 12 inches taller.

Brendan Chambers goes from Jason, a wussy hubby, to Phil, the owner’s snarky fixer with political similarities to a Devin Nunez or a Michael Cohen.

As Sean, the building contractor, Porter seizes control of the venue and won’t let go. Porter also appears as Garth, a token Norwegian, who recharges by singing “Oleana” and falling for Vanessa.

The set designers (Terry Tennesen and David Langley) capture slight variations on the theme in a rapid series of similar self-altering apartments. The prop coordinator (Sam Cavallaro) adds the warm touch of a red-painted steam radiator and an antique painted tole chair, and the sound designer (Johanna Melamed) lays down some welcome jazz licks during the show (whatever was playing before the show was a dissonant mishmash).

Her charming door chime is devoutly to be wished upon.

Costume designer Maggie Jo Bulkley showcases much pizzazz and authenticity, and lighting designer Albert Mendez keeps the show’s action visible between many rapid scene changes in the dark.

The practical onstage light switch is a fun touch.

On balance, I give Key City’s auspicious Friday the 13th production of “Wolf at the Door” four stars.

The show continues its run Thursday-Sunday, April 19-28. Sunday matinees begin at 2:30 p.m., and evening shows at 7:30 p.m. A pay-what-you-wish performance is April 19.

Tickets and info are available at keycitypublictheatre.org or call the box office at 360-385-KCPT (5278).

Port Townsend’s Steve Treacy is a member of the American Theatre Critics Association, Northwest Screenwriters Guild, and Actors’ Equity.