Neil Simon’s “Laughter on the 23rd Floor” is an autobiographical comedy inspired by Simon’s early days as a writer on “Your Show of Shows,” Sid Caesar’s television comedy-variety show that ran from 1950 to 1954. Set in Manhattan in 1953 in the writers’ room for such a show, “Laughter” stars a central Sid Caesar-esque character named Max Prince. The other characters represent his staff, who try to outdo each other cracking wise and preparing the next script. In the current Keegan Theatre production of “Laughter,” Ray Ficca is well cast as the larger-than-life, eccentric Prince, who mimics Marlon Brando and does battle with the NBC executives who are uneasy about his unconventional comedy. The writers are like Max’s children, who worry about Max as he ends each evening with pills and four jiggers of scotch.

Lucas Brickman, Simon’s alter-ego, is well played by John Loughney. Brickman introduces each character in the team and gives insight into the infighting and goofy antics of what goes on in the writers’ room.