Amanda hates anyone that comes between herself and her mother -- particularly invaders of the male persuasion.

Whenever her mother brings home another potential beau, Amanda calls on her friend, Raymond.

"They terrorize those men," said Anthony Genovese, who portrays Raymond in the play "Moon Over the Brewery," which Youngstown State University Theatre will stage today through Sunday.

Raymond is a figment of the imagination of the 13-year-old girl, who created him when she was 4.

Genovese, 21, said he has had to approach this role differently than the other plays he has been in.

"I'm used to being able to act and react off the other characters on stage with me," said Genovese, of Shenango Township. "In this case, she's the only one on stage who can see me."

That gives Genovese the freedom do off-the-wall things.

"He's loud," Genovese said of Raymond. "He doesn't have to worry about anybody else hearing him."

The Bruce Graham-penned show is funny, with a touching ending, and has a lot of typical household scenarios in it, he said.

"There are a couple of remarks you could hear in your own house," he said. "It's a good family show."

The show also gives Genovese the biggest role he's ever had on stage, and is a good climax to his freshman year at YSU.

He has acted in YSU Theatre shows "Dr. Faustus," "Side Show" and "Praying For Rain" this year, and filled technical positions in other shows.

Trying to balance his studies, the shows and working as a cook for Rockne's in Boardman, Ohio, has been difficult.

"I haven't been able to work for a month because of this show," he said. "Sometimes, I get burned out. But the payoff is worth it."

Genovese started acting at an early age through his father's former business, Group 2 Advertising, Youngstown.

He appeared in commercials for Dollar Bank and Goldstein's Furniture, and did voice-overs for Dollar Bank.

He appeared in the Youngstown Playhouse's "Arsenic and Old Lace," church performances at Victory Assembly in Coitsville, Ohio, and had a small role in a film with Robert Wagner and Faye Dunaway.

Genovese said he stayed away from high school productions because they staged musicals, and he prefers dramas.

"I leave my singing for the shower," said the 2000 West Middlesex Area High School graduate.

Genovese made a previous attempt at college, when he studied history at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

"I found that I was not ready for college right out of high school," he said.

He worked for two years and decided to return to school.

Although aware that it is difficult to make a living in theater, he realized it was his passion, he said.

"I decided to give theater a try since I've always done it and I really like it."

"Moon Over the Brewery" is set for 8 p.m. today through Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday in Spotlight Arena Theater, Bliss Hall. Reservations: (330) 941-3105.