Ah, the good old days. Actually they seem that way in Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse’s “Life with Father” being performed at Weathervane Playhouse, a Knight Arts grantee.

Think about it. Set in a large Victorian house in the 1880s (which scenic designer Alan Scott Ferrall lays out resplendently, while costume designer Jasen J. Smith adds elegant and rich touches with knickers and bustled dresses), the play commences as the audience sees a middle class family – father and mother, four children of various ages up to 18, a live-in cook and a bevy of maids. Who in the middle income ranges lives like that these days?

Fiscal jealousy aside, the comedy is a heartwarming, captivating, light-hearted, extremely funny look at family dynamics in another time.

The problems don’t change much – making ends meet as the stock market swings wildly up and down, dangerous substances (even in the form of door-to-door sales of cure-all elixirs that the older boys get involved with), intrusive visits from extended family members, interfaith marriage, and the like.

Not to worry, though, for it’s all played for laughs by the absolutely perfect cast assembled to tell this fast-track tale of a father, Clarence Day (done to an alternating brash and tender turn by actor Jim Fippin), who asserts his patriarchal rights and obligations while his family does it their way – right under his ever watchful eyes.

The enduring squabbles between Day and his wife, Vinnie, have to do with keeping track of where the money goes. Father wants it all written down in a ledger; mother’s answer is to open a slew of charge accounts and review the monthly statements – all this is a pre-automated environment.

Jim Fippen and Teri Lyn Bergoine in “Life with Father.” Photo courtesy of Weathervane Playhouse

The second issue is Vinnie’s discovery that Clarence has never been baptized as an Episcopalian. She cajoles, threatens, pleads and ultimately tricks him into it by play’s end. It’s pretty funny stuff along the way.

Tari Lyn Bergoine is a non-stop delight to watch as the mother. Her performance is uncannily good. You like her character, in all her seeming daffiness and financial sleights-of-hand.

The young actors as the children (Eric Lucas as Clarence Jr., Will Price as John, Owen and Spencer Desberg as Whitney and Harlan Day), plus the roving cousin Cora (Jenny Barrett), the love interest Mary Skinner (Erin Moore), and the cook Margaret (April Deming) are all right on the mark. They are an effortless and believable family.

Space doesn’t allow mention of all onstage personalities, but they deserve kudos all around.

It seems no wonder that “Life with Father” is still the longest running non-musical in Broadway history. Director Sarah May gave the play new and abundant life in this flawless regional production.

“Life with Father” will be performed at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, 8 p.m. from Friday-Saturday, and 2:30p.m. on Sunday through April 13 at Weathervane Playhouse, 1301 Weathervane Lane, Akron; 330-836-2626; www.weathervnaeplayhouse.com. Tickets are $21 (discounts available for seniors and students).