Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - T.J. Hartung hopes people will complain about the show he's written and directing, Anthology of Comedy. But not with the kinds of complaints you might expect. "'My jaw muscles hurt from laughing too much.' 'My stomach and side muscles hurt.' 'My underwear is wet.' 'My mascara is running from laughing so hard I cried,' " T.J. quipped. "But I am not responsible for anyone's running mascara, nor wet underwear."

A Puerto Vallarta resident, T.J. is an avid fan of classic comedy sketches, and he's put his favorites together for The Boutique Theatre's new original show, "Anthology of Comedy."

The next mainstage dinner theater show at The Boutique Theatre will recreate classic moments in comedy history, presented with local performers, readers' theater-style. Dinners will be served at 5:00 pm, with the curtain rising at 6:00 pm, on March 26, 27 and 28, 2015.

Among the well-known sketches are those made famous by comedy legends George Carlin, Lily Tomlin, Flip Wilson, Redd Foxx, Abbott & Costello, Johnny Carson, Flip Wilson, "Father Guido Sarducci," and others. In his cast are Boutique veterans Alice Averett, Catalina Meders, Steve Jackson, Catherine Beeghly, and newcomer Gloria Tyson.

"Cast members will be reading various roles in a number of comedy routines, subject to change, based on cast wishes, the weather, phases of the moon, the direction of the wind, and several conditions that are too complicated to reveal," he said. The performers will also jump in as announcers, and in short comedic bits T.J. wrote to transition the sketches. Hartung hopes to tap into people's nostalgia for some of the 'good old days.' "I want the show to bring up memories - memories of good times, good friends, good TV shows, etcetera," he says.

T.J. is retired from a career in computer technology, managing hotel operations for more than 30 years. In 2001 he began his "retirement career" at the now-defunct Santa Barbara Theater. Steel Magnolias was the first show he was part of. He's worked with nine directors in seven venues, on more than 40 shows in Puerto Vallarta, mostly as a technical director doing lights and sound. "It was a natural transition for me," he said, "because my degree is in computer science, back in the days when you had to be able to both design the hardware and write the software."

T.J. has lived in PV for almost 21 years, and received his Mexican citizenship 10 years ago. He's active with the International Friendship Club as vice president of administration, a web master, and newsletter composer.

"I'm also on the board of directors of the Vallarta Botanical Gardens, where I often give talks on orchids. In May, I'll be on a speaking tour throughout New England and East Central Canada, where I'll be talking to 13 different orchid societies about Mexican orchids, and promoting tourism to PV." Dates and locations can be found on pvorchids.com.

T.J. met his wife Helen in PV more than 18 years ago, and they've been married 15 years. He's written articles for Orchids Magazine, the official publication of the American Orchid Society, and has been writing articles for local newspapers for years under a pseudonym.

The March 26, 27 and 28 shows will be presented at The Boutique Theatre, upstairs at Nacho Daddy Mexico Restaurant & Sports Bar, 287 Basilio Badillo on the South side of Puerto Vallarta.

A dinner-and-a-show option is offered at 5 pm. Diners can choose a steak, chicken or vegetarian meal, or order off the regular menu at the "Mex-Tex" restaurant. Show-only tickets are also available. Audiences are invited to remain for the dance music lively crowds enjoy, immediately following each show, on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Nacho Daddy charges no cover for its live music shows, presented almost every night of the week.

Tickets for Anthology of Comedy, and all Boutique Theater shows, are available at VallartaTickets.com. For information call 322-192-4616.