Why does the “bad boy” seem to get all the girls?

This question will be explored with a new twist of humor when Wilkes University Theatre opens its 2016-2017 season with The Playboy of The Western World at the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center.

This revival of the 1907 comedy tells of an Irish man, Christy Mahon, who runs away from his farm after claiming to have killed his father. Village locals are more interested in hearing his story than in condemning him for the murder, and he even becomes a love interest in the process.

The lead role of Christy is played by freshman musical theatre major Kris Tjorhorn. He says his role In The Playboy of the Western World, his first show as a Wilkes student, is different from anything he has done before.

“Having only about a month between being cast and opening night has been a scary and difficult experience,” Tjornhom said. “But I have never had so much fun. My fellow cast members and I are always joking around backstage.”

This production is the best-known work of Irish playwright J.M. Synge. Being an Irish comedy heavily influenced by the poetic nature of the Irish language, this production did present some challenges for Tjornhom.

“One of the most difficult parts about this show was probably remembering all the lines in the odd Irish dialect that this show called for,” he said. “I’m very excited to see it come together on opening night and I hope everyone enjoys it.”

Showtimes for The Playboy of the Western World are Sept. 29 and 30 at 8 p.m., Oct. 1 at 8 p.m. and a matinee performance on October 2nd at 2 p.m.

For tickets, call the Darte Center box office at 570-408-4540. Tickets will also be available on the night of the show. General admission is $10 and student and senior admission is $5.