McDaniel College Theatre presents its first play of the fall season, “Playboy of the Western World,” at 8 p.m. Oct. 3-6 in WMC Alumni Hall.

“Playboy of the Western World,” written by J.M. Synge, tells the story of Christy Mahon, a man who claimed to a group at a pub that he brutally murdered his father with a hoe. Rather than condemn the killing, the locals enjoy the story and call him a hero.

Director Elizabeth van den Berg chose this play from the rich tradition of Irish literature because of the poetic, yet simple, language of the ordinary people who live in the remote villages on the western coast of Ireland. 

“It’s a play full of tenderness, irony, beauty and passion. I revel in the chance to help our young actors bring it to life on the stage,” van den Berg said.

The play sparked riots when it was first performed in 1907, for its mention of a woman’s slip, the rough language and implied indictment of Irish Catholicism.

The cast includes Colleen Alford ’10, David Arnold ’11, Ryan Brown ’08, Meghan Carlton ’08, Michael Chittenden ’08, Jim Dyson ’09, Brian Engler ’08, Devie Henry ’08, Ryan Hickey ’11, Pete Kendall ’08, Brett Myers ’10, Katie Ridgway ’10, Cindy Sordo ’11, Hanna Spence ’10, Andrew Tucker ’10 and Julia Williams ’11.

Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for seniors and students. For more information, call the box office at 410-857-2448.