There’s an old joke that you’ve probably heard that goes, “What do fish and house guests have in common? They both start to stink after two days.'

Be careful if you found yourself laughing at that punch line. It could mean that misery loves company, and that you really don’t like house guests.

House guests? Those wonderful, welcome friends whose presence brings out the Martha Stewart in us? No ... not those people. I’m talking about the OTHER kind. The sort that have more in common with two-day-old mackerel than with treasured company.

I’m talking about the Rick Steadmans of the world, the ones that will start to stink within two minutes, let alone two days.

Not to worry, Steadman isn’t anyone you need to fear. He’s just the annoying house guest who is the title character in Seattle Performing Arts Fellowship’s latest production of The Nerd, which opened March 17.

Willum Cubbert (Tony Onorati) is an up-and-coming architect who is in a special relationship with his equally ambitious lady friend Tansy (Tiffany Mills). It is Willum’s birthday and his pal Axel (Ivan Dinh) is on hand to help Tansy host a “surprise' birthday celebration.

Unfortunately, most of the party guests have declined the invitation, but Warnock Waldgrave (Steve Hansen), an important and very rich client of Willum’s, is attending. His wife Clelia (Amy Wyatt) and son Thor (Lucas Parker) also arrive for the smaller-than-expected event.

Just as everything seems set for a simple celebration, Willum receives a surprising phone message. Rick Steadman (John Myers), who served with him during the Vietnam War, is in town and wants to visit for a few days.

Willum can hardly contain his excitement. Although he has never really met Rick, he owes his life to him, literally. Rick saved Willum’s life during the war, but was shipped out before the two men could become acquainted.

So Rick becomes the honored guest at the birthday bash, but quickly wears out his welcome. Not only is Rick a world-class nerd, he is irritating, inappropriate, clueless, clumsy and totally out of touch with social reality.

He’s really quite a guy.

But, Willum cannot dream of throwing his guest out like old fish bones in the garbage. After all, Rick once saved his life, even though he is now on the verge of ruining that same life during the course of the evening.

What’s a guy to do? Grin and bear it, or end this visit swiftly and decisively? The comical answer lies ahead, and those who must find out if Willum lives happily ever after are urged to see SPAF’s latest show.

With a funny script that contains a stage full of witty characters, The Nerd is ultimately uplifting, and is a perfect fit for the Christian theatre troupe SPAF.

Director Lew Curtiss brings together an enthusiastic cast who takes the stage with energy and conviction.

Most of all, the character of Rick Steadman is a wonderfully written gem. You won’t find THIS stinking house guest thrown out with the trash. Instead, you can find him at SPAF, centerstage and hamming it up.

Larry Shue’s comedy continues through April 1.

The Nerd is performed at the Victory Baptist Church, 1807 S. 223rd St. in Des Moines. Show times are Fridays at 8 p.m. and Saturdays at 2 and 8 p.m.

Tickets are $9-$12. Call 206-722-4289 for reservations.