The show: “Table 17” at Manhattan Class Company in New York City.

What is it?: A new play by Douglas Lyons, who last wrote Broadway’s “Chicken and Biscuits”

What makes it special?: Several things: Lyons is from New Haven and went to the Hartt School at the University of Hartford. It also stars the recent Tony Award-winning actor Kara Young, one of the hottest and extraordinary actors on the New York stage today. Thirdly, it’s one of those rare things you don’t see that often on stage, and certainly not on a New York City stage: a rom-com. This is a delightful audience-pleaser, smartly written, wonderfully stage and perfectly performed. I was charmed. It’s the perfect date show for modern romantics. A breath of fresh air for theater-goers looking to fall in love with going to the theater again,.

What’s it about?: It’s as simple as can be. We meet flight attendant Jada who is fretting on what to wear on a dinner engagement with her ex-fiance Dallas (Biko Eisen-Martin, solid) two years after their break-up. . She still pines for him — her soulmate — but, of course, she’ll be damned if she wants him to know that — that is, unless he suggests that he misses her first — and if he’s changed at all, including that outre corduroy suit (a running gag).

We see Dallas fret as well as he gets ready, along with some flashbacks detaiing their meeting, their romance, and their break-up. At the chichi restaurant Bianca’s (love the upholstered walls), we also meet the imperious-but-likable maître-d’/waiter (fabulously played by Michael Rishawn — who went to Hartt, too ) who also transforms himself into a bartender and Jada’s sexy co-worker.

This thin plot is not exactly world-shaking. But it’s the way it’s presented, played and staged (by Zhailon Levingston, who also directed the upbeat “Chicken and Biscuits”) that makes it special enough. It’s also an immersive experience — set by Jason Sherwood — with some audience members seated at the more than a dozen cafe table on floor level. Table 17 though is located in a raised platform in the middle of the floor — and that’s where a great deal of the action takes place. Enlivening things is the way the actors occasionally address the audience (and several times at the performance I attended, the audience talked back — in an amusing, not annoying, way. The quick changes in the costumes ((by Devario D. Simmons, spoon) is also part of the fun., It may have old-fashioned romantic feel but it’s presented in a very modern, hip way while still being heart-felt. There are also a few surprises and twists to keep things punchy during its 85 minutes playing time. But throughout the laughs and romance, the three actors keep it real.

Who will like it?: Romantics. Those looking for a sweet, fun evening at the theater.

Who won’t?: Those looking for something weightier. (For me, I enjoy being airborne every once in a while.)

Fior the kids?: Teens will find it fun. Nothing too sexually explicit here. It’s about the games lovers play with each other, and more importantly, themselves.

Thoughts on leaving the parking lot?: Is this a guilty pleasure, I thought leaving g the show. Nope. This is just a pleasure. Period.

Lyons notes that he was inspired by Black rom-com cinema of the 90’s and 2000 and indeed this is a love letter to that period, performed by a sublime trio with exquisite chemistry for both humor and heart. Both the multi-hyphenate Lyons (actor in “Parade,” “The Book of Mormon,” “Beautiful;”) and Levingston (“Cats: The Jellicle Ball”) have now emerged as two of the leading theater talents of their generation.

Info: Runs through Sept. 29. www.mcctheater.org.