Through July 14, New York‘s Rattlestick Playwrights Theater is home to the new comedy 3C, penned by queer playwright David Adjmi. Adjmi’s play looks under the surface of the classic sitcom Three’s Company—except this time Jack (or Brad, as the case may be) isn’t just pretending to be gay.

The Vietnam War is over and ex-serviceman Brad lands in L.A. to start a new life.  When he winds up in Connie and Linda’s kitchen after a wild night of partying, the three strike up a living arrangement that has unintended consequences for everyone. Inspired by 1970s sitcoms, 1950s existentialism, Chekhov and disco, 3C is a scary yet amusing look at a culture that likes to amuse itself, even as it teeters on the brink of disaster.

The cast—including Anna Chlumsky (Veep, My Girl), Eddie Cahill (CSI:New York), Kate Buddeke (Gypsy), Bill Buell (The History Boys) and Jake Silbermann, who first caught our attention as gay teen Noah on As the World Turns—invited us backstage to watch them put it all together.

Click through for more backstage images from the new comedy 3c

Photos: Jeffrey James Keyes, Joan Marcus