Audience members will be up close and surrounded by drama during “A Moon for the Misbegotten” as University of Wisconsin - Superior students perform this experimental theater with the opening show Thurs., Nov. 4.

“A Moon for the Misbegotten” is a unique love story written by America’s own Eugene O’Neill, a 4 times Pulitzer Prize and even Nobel Prize winner.

“I like to call the play a bittersweet act of love that supplies through its romantic fiction a blessing for a damned soul,” said Director Cathy Fank.

The play is set in a dilapidated Connecticut house in early September, 1923. The three main characters are Josie, a domineering Irish woman with a quick tongue, her conniving father and Irish migrant farmer, Phil Hogan and James Tyrone Jr. Hogan’s landlord and drinking companion, a cynical alcoholic haunted by the death of his mother.   As a joke during one of their drunken bouts, Tyrone threatens to sell his land and evict Hogan, which propels Hogan to set into motion a scheme that will take advantage of the mutual affection between his daughter and Tyrone.  Josie and Tyrone are not a “typical” love match.

This entertaining play will be performed in the Experimental Theatre as opposed to the usual Manion Theater because it is a play based on character.

“We wanted the audience to be as close as possible,” said Fank.

The production stars Kyle Olson who plays James Tyrone Jr and Julia Rickert who plays Josie Hogan.  Other cast members include Matt Winter (Phil Hogan), Andrew Kirov (Mike) and Stpan Ianchuck (T. Stedman Harder).  Bradley Faulkner (understudy for Phil Hogan), Daniel Harte (understudy for James Tyrone) and Gabrielle Ford (understudy for Josie) are three understudies who probably will not go on but have been greatly helped this performance.

Fank encourages students to support University theatre. It will be an unforgettable performance “with actors so close you can touch them,” Fank said.

 “A Moon for the Misbegotten” will be performed November 4, 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, and 20 at 7:30 p.m. in the Experimental Theatre of Holden Fine Arts Center. Matinees held on November 14 and 21 at 1 p.m. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for students and $2 for UW-Superior students with their student I.D.