The Miller family confronts Richard after his night of drunken escapades in a scene from “Ah, Wilderness!” during the production’s original 2020 run, which was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo by Shamaya Sutton

MARYSVILLE, CA (MPG) - After a six-year postponement, The Acting Company is moving forward with auditions for “Ah, Wilderness!,” marking the group’s first production of a play by Eugene O’Neill.

Widely regarded as the “father of American drama,” O’Neill helped transform American theater from 19th-century melodrama into a serious literary art form. While much of his work is known for its intensity, “Ah, Wilderness!” stands apart as his only comedy and his most commercially successful play.

Often described as a precursor to the American family sitcom, the play’s themes, structure and character types echo in television classics such as “Leave It to Beaver,” “The Dick Van Dyke Show” and more modern series such as “7th Heaven.” First staged in 1933 during the Great Depression, the play looks back nostalgically on the turn of the 20th century, portraying what was then considered the “good old days” of American family life.

“I think this nostalgic concept is especially relevant right now,” director Shamaya Sutton said. “We’ve come a long way since the early 2000s and even since COVID-19, which still feels like some bizarre nightmare. I think audiences will find both humor and comfort in the values and struggles presented in this play, perhaps prompting us to reflect on our own sense of childhood and what our ‘ideal world’ really is, or isn’t.”

Set in a small New England town on the Fourth of July, the story centers on the Miller family as they navigate love, rebellion and coming of age. At its heart is Richard Miller, an idealistic teenager whose romantic missteps and youthful defiance test the patience of his warm but principled parents.

Sutton said the upcoming production will aim to balance the play’s humor with a deeper exploration of the emotional and historical context behind its creation. The production also carries personal significance. Sutton and dramaturg David Wheeler, an emeritus professor of theater and film, first began staging the play in early 2020, coming within eight days of opening before the COVID-19 pandemic forced an abrupt shutdown during dress rehearsals.

“Ultimately we were unable to resurrect it,” Wheeler said. “But I believe we together created a wonderful vision for one of America’s most beloved stage works.”

Both Sutton and Wheeler see the revival as an opportunity to reimagine that original concept.

“In bringing the play back, I believe Shamaya’s imagination and skill as director will bring a sensational revised vision to ‘Ah, Wilderness!’,” Wheeler said. “I will endeavor to assist her in fully developing that vision.”

Wheeler described his role as dramaturg as a bridge between the director and the audience, helping ensure the production’s vision is clearly realized.

Auditions will be held June 1 and 2 at 6 p.m., with potential callbacks scheduled for June 3 at 6 p.m. Rehearsals are expected to run Monday through Thursday from 6:30 to 9 p.m., with additional Friday rehearsals possible after June 21. Tech week is set for July 11 to 16. Performances will run from July 17 through Aug. 9, with shows scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays.

Auditions are open to both experienced performers and newcomers. Participants will be asked to take part in cold readings from the script and improv exercises, with optional short monologues encouraged.

The production features a wide range of roles, including members of the Miller family and their extended circle, offering opportunities for actors of varying ages and experience levels. For more information, visit actingcompany.org.