According to Dennis Platte, “Auntie Mame” — now being staged by P.T.D. Productions — is the perfect play for our current hard times.

“It’s one of my favorite shows,” said Platte, who’s directing P.T.D.’s production. “It’s so uplifting, and I love the theme of living life to the fullest and opening new doors.”

Based on the bestselling novel by Patrick Dennis, “Mame” was adapted for the stage by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee (the writing team behind “Inherit the Wind”). Set around the time of the Great Depression, the show tells the story of a young boy who, after his father’s death, becomes the ward of his highly unconventional Auntie Mame, much to the chagrin of the family trustee.

“I love (Mame’s) indomitable spirit,” said Platte. “Through the depression and the other trials she goes through, she keeps a positive attitude. And the play really speaks to the times we’re in today. They’re hard times, but you take them and make the best of them.”

“Auntie Mame” had its Broadway premiere in 1956, with Tony Award nominee Rosalind Russell in the starring role. (Russell reprised the role when the story was adapted for a 1958 film, earning the actress a Golden Globe Award and an Oscar nomination; and in 1966, the story was made into a Broadway musical starring Angela Lansbury and Bea Arthur.)

The show has considerable casting and set demands, especially for a small community theater group like P.T.D.

“A lot of people in the company over the years have proposed, and we’ve considered, doing musicals, but they’re cost prohibitive, because of royalties and musicians and other those kind of things,” said Platte. “But (‘Auntie Mame’) is a step in that direction. … It has many of the elements of a musical — multiple scene changes, a large cast — so it’s a step out there for us.”

So while P.T.D. is biting off a bit more than it's used to chewing, Platte feels good about the company’s newest offering.

“It’s been challenging but really fun,” said Platte. “This is pretty much in P.T.D.’s Christmas card to the community.”

PREVIEW “Auntie Mame” Who: P.T.D. Productions. What: Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee’s stage adaptation of Patrick Dennis’ novel, which tells the story of a boy who finds himself, after his father’s death, the ward of his highly unconventional Auntie Mame. Where: Riverside Arts Center, 76 N. Huron St. in Ypsilanti. When: Thursday-Saturday at 8 p.m., December 10-19, with one Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. on December 13. How much: $16 ($11 for students and seniors). Info: 734-483-7345 or P.T.D. Productions web site.

Jenn McKee is the entertainment digital journalist for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at jennmckee@annarbor.com or 734-623-2546, and follow her on Twitter @jennmckee.