Desert Ensemble Theatre will present the world premiere of “Kafka’s Joke,” written by Rich Rubin and directed by DET’s artistic director, Jerome Elliott Moskowitz. This fast-paced, 90-minute comedy recounts 120 years in the life (and after-life) of Franz Kafka, the literary world’s most reluctant celebrity. Upon his death, he wanted his works burned — but that did not happen. Today, who owns his writings? An elderly secretary, Germany, or Israel?

“Kafka’s Joke” will run for two weekends, March 10-12 and March 17-19, with performances Friday and Saturday at 7:30 pm, and Saturday and Sunday at 2 pm, at the Palm Springs Cultural Center.