The entertaining theatrical romp that is Palo Alto High School’s one-act production gives us, in addition to a rollicking good time, resounding evidence of the capabilities of our students. They are–whether they be actors, playwrights, or those who operate behind the scenes–absolutely remarkable.

Senior co-directors Mark Olson and Kylie Sloan kick us off with a comedy about best friends Jacob and Shannon, played by seniors Andrew Liang and Katie Blansett, who become impossibly entangled in Jacob’s obsessive search for the driver responsible for scratching his car, but who meet deus ex machina in cake form.

The cleverly-titled piece No Name, written and directed by senior Caleb Jones, features the bedroom conversations of a couple considering Pol Pot as a name for their son. Outstandingly performed Trapezoid follows a quirky guidance counselor (senior Nick Dumas) who, in his quest to become the high school’s principal, comes to a touching conclusion about why he loves his job.

All applause for excellent writing, lighting, and efficient play-to-play transitions aside, seniors Avi Arfin and Sam Bromley-Coolidge of No Name team up admirably on stage. Dumas has his counselor voice just right, while junior Arielle Fishman, proving her ability to be a star in a cast as well as in a choir, is perfectly comical. Sophomores Grace Barry, Elias Berezin, Annie Rosenberg and Thomas Wade make an uproarious acting quadruplet in Twitch, a play they manage to personalize despite the fact that it’s not student-written.

Viewers will appreciate wordplay, unanticipated endings, and abundant references to Gossip Girl, West Side Story and Ratatouille, as well as the charming way in which students impersonate hamsters– and themselves. On the whole: enjoyable, laughter-inducing, fascinating though a bit long-winded in places, and a job well done by all involved.

That’s not to suggest an absence of shortcomings. The experience begins to shamble late in the second half of the evening, with wandering action that makes some vague effort at cohesion and doesn’t entirely succeed. This in itself is not an issue; after all, J.K. Rowling has precisely the same problem. Audiences should also note that some of the school’s finest actors have ventured from their natural habitat to become writers and directors, so as much as there’s progress to be made, there is also praise to be given. Students on stage deserve congratulations as well for pulling together significantly since Wednesday’s dress rehearsal.

One-acts are showing at 7:30 p.m. tonight in the Haymarket Theater, and at 2 on Sunday. Tickets are $5 at the door; seating is set up on risers on the stage itself, as in Paly’s production of Almost, Maine. Early arrival is advisable, as space is tight.