BAKER CITY — Spend a few hours in Ireland this month as Eastern Oregon Regional Theatre shares the story of two families, a land dispute, love, loss and laughter.

“Outside Mullingar” opens at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7, with a special ticket price of $12. Additional shows are Feb. 8 at 6 p.m. and Feb. 9 at 3 p.m., then Feb. 14-16 (6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday). All performances are at the theater, 2101 Main St.

After opening night, tickets are $13 adults, $11 for EORT members and $5 students.

Tickets are available at the door, online at easternoregonregionaltheatre.com or by calling 541-523-9652.

The play

“Outside Mullingar” was written by John Patrick Shanley. It is, said director Reed Wagstaff, a dramedy with elements of drama, comedy and love.

“It’s a great Valentine’s Day show,” he said.

There are four characters. Jay Billings plays Tony Reilly and Daniel Lutz portrays his son, Anthony. The neighbors are Aoife Muldoon, played by Sue Samet, and her daughter Rosemary, played by Abby Dennis.

Most of the action takes place around the kitchen table of Tony’s farmhouse that he shares with his son, Anthony, who tends to work on the cattle farm.

Next door are the Muldoons, who just happen to own a swath of land that is the right-of-way for the Reilly’s property, causing many rain-soaked annoyances of opening two gates when coming or going.

Tony wants to buy that property back, but there’s a hitch, the elder Muldoon tells him — that belongs to her daughter, Rosemary.

And Rosemary won’t sell because she’s still mad at Anthony for when he shoved her down in the lane 30 years ago.

Memories run long on this Irish soil.

And yet — a slow-simmering love between Anthony and Rosemary flows through the play.

“You kinda know from the beginning they will get together. It’s how,” Wagstaff said. “She’s been crazy about him since they were little kids.”

Rosemary is stubborn — she gets it from her father, her mother says — but also highly passionate. When she learns that Tony plans to disinherit his son from the land, she’s determined to set things straight.

This play has touching moments, heated arguments, sweet conversations between lifelong friends, a few laughs and a few tears.

“We’re having a lot of fun with this show,” Wagstaff said.

In addition to the main cast, the set crew is Abby Dennis, Lauren Chaney, Maria Samet and Allana Haven Samet.

Costumes are handled by Maria Samet, and lights and sound are under the direction of Wagstaff and Evan Crowther.

Memberships

A new year means a new chance to purchase a membership for Eastern Oregon Regional Theatre, which includes discounts to show tickets.

Membership levels start at $50. For information, visit easternoregonregionaltheatre.com or inquire at the theater prior to performances, 2101 Main St.