Northwest is performing Dylan Thomas’ radio play, “Under Milk Wood,” which portrays a unique set of individuals and couples going about their daily lives during the 1940s in a fictional Welsh fishing village. (Photo by Amanda Wistuba/Northwest Missouri State University)

Northwest Missouri State University will present Dylan Thomas’ radio play, “Under Milk Wood” Feb. 20-23 in the Studio Theatre at the Ron Houston Center for the Performing Arts.

The play portrays a unique set of individuals and couples going about their daily lives during the 1940s in the fictional Welsh fishing village of Llareggub as an omniscient narrator invites the audience to listen to their dreams and innermost thoughts.

Northwest Professor of Theatre Dr. Theo Ross is directing the play, which is considered Thomas’ masterpiece.

“I did this play because I like Dylan Thomas,” Ross said. “I think he was one of the most talented, imagistic, writers of the century.”

Though Thomas created the story as a poem with 69 characters, Northwest’s production features a cast of 32 individuals who will act in multiple roles.

With that in mind, Ross invited non-theatre majors and Northwest faculty to audition. The cast includes Dr. Vincent Hustad, a biology instructor, and Dr. Mike Wilson, who retired in 2011 as an associate professor of accounting, economics and finance.

In addition to giving theatre students practice with playing multiple roles and gaining professional experience, Ross said he hopes the play helps educate the community culturally.

“Art elevates the soul, and I hope students learn to appreciate art as much as they appreciate other disciplines,” Ross said. “We prepare theatre students professionally, but we do theatre so the non-theatre majors can expand culturally. Any university owes the community a cultural education.”

Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Feb. 20-22 and 2 p.m. Feb. 23. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased be purchased online at www.nwmissouri.edu/rsvp/UnderMilkWood, by phone at 660.562.1321 or at the box office up to one hour before the show.