The Early Bird

Oct. 26-Nov. 7, $15-$20, Inis Nua Theatre at the Adrienne, 2030 Sansom St., 215-454-9776, inisnuatheatre.org.

by Mark Cofta

[ theater ]

Worm jokes aside, Leo Butler's provocative The Early Bird, about a couple whose daughter goes missing, delves into parents' darkest fears. "Butler's use of language, nonlinear storytelling and focus on dysfunctional relationships interests me," says Inis Nua Theatre Co.'s Tom Reing, who admits that, in unusual ways — "there's a strange reference to a Madonna song," for example — the play might also inspire laughs. Most vital in this American première, however, is how the sudden loss affects the couple (Kittson O'Neill, Jared Michael Delaney). "We want the audience debating what happened when they leave."

Oct. 26-Nov. 7, $15-$20, Inis Nua Theatre at the Adrienne, 2030 Sansom St., 215-454-9776, inisnuatheatre.org.