Business is a serious subject—especially lately, with stock markets and the world economy rising and falling like a theme park thrill ride.

But Peter Bernstein, an adjunct professor of economics at DePaul University since 1992, knows there is a funny side to the business and financial world. He presents his decidedly humorous views in his one-man play, "Econo-Manic Depression: A Crash Course about the Coming Crash," at the Stage Left Theater in Chicago.

As the profit-preaching Professor Pettibone Daniels, Bernstein lectures to the audience as if it were a class. (The pseudonym is a jumble of the teacher’s name, Peter Daniel Bernstein.) "Students" are treated to an hour of blistering, capitalist satire with a healthy dose of actual economic information thrown in for good measure.

In one part of the show, for instance, "Daniels" illustrates the all-powerful profit motive by discussing the 1912 Titanic disaster. "To call 800 lifeboat seats for 2,200 passengers a ‘shortage’ is a gross misunderstanding of economic theory," he says, tongue firmly in cheek. The sensible solution, he reasons, would have been to let the price of a lifeboat seat rise to equal demand. Suddenly, the situation becomes simple economic efficiency instead of a terrible tragedy.

Bernstein, 39, hatched the idea for the show last winter when his lone class for the quarter was canceled.

"Suddenly I found myself with extra time on my hands, so I used the opportunity to put some of my ideas together and create a new and entertaining class," he said. He soon realized the result was more appropriate for the stage than the classroom, and he relished a return to funny business because he was a founding member of the student comedy troupe Off-Off Campus during graduate school at the University of Chicago.

The show debuted this summer, and during its brief summer run it played to sold out crowds. The show was highly recommended by the Reader, a Chicago weekly, which described it as a "breath of fresh air" full of "wit and ingenuity".

When it comes to actual classroom work, however, Bernstein’s demeanor is exactly opposite of his alter ego Daniels. Economic theory rules, and humor is used sparingly to make a point or to keep students’ attention. "People often make comparisons between teaching and entertaining, but you really need to maintain credibility in the classroom," Bernstein said.

Contacts: Peter Bernstein can be reached at work at 312/431-1540, at DePaul at 312/362-5586. "Econo-Manic Depression" runs through Dec. 12 at Stage Left Theatre, 3408 N. Sheffield Ave. (it may be extended). Call (773) 883-8830 for information.