Albert Lea Community Theatre has prepared a sweet little valentine for audiences in its latest production, “Ah, Wilderness!”

The Eugene O’Neill comedy, beautifully directed by Glen Parsons, opens tonight at the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center.

Over the course of a Fourth of July weekend in Connecticut in 1906, a young man, Richard, who is 17, has his heart broken, discovers drink and loose women and puts his heart back together again. The play contrasts young love with the enduring affection of the young man’s parents and with the failed relationship of the boy’s alcoholic uncle and spinster aunt.

Zach Wilke plays 17-year-old Richard Miller, who has become very well read in the “subversive” books he is reading by the likes of Swinburne, Shaw, Oscar Wilde and the poet Omar Khayyam. He’s passionately in love with Muriel (Emily Troe). Muriel’s father, David Macomber (Larry Langsev) finds some of the poems Richard has sent his daughter, and forces her to write a letter to him, telling him she can never see him again. The letter sends Richard to a bar and into the arms of a floozy, Belle (Natalie Runden).

Wilke is outstanding in this role, combining the passion of youth with maturity of one well-versed in literature.

Jay Paul plays his father, local newspaper owner Nat Miller, and Jody Ellertson is his wife, Essie Miller. They are well-cast. Paul is particularly good in the final scene where he attempts — unsuccessfully — to have a talk about the birds and the bees with his son. Ellertson does well playing the prim mother of four at the turn of the century. Although she appears strict at first, in the end, we see she indeed has a soft spot for her second son.

The other three Miller children are played by Ben Knudson (Arthur), Stephi Falk (Mildred) and Travis Nemec (Tommy). All banter playfully and with ease — just as real siblings would.

Craig Johnson plays Sid Davis, Essie’s brother who gambles and is an alcoholic. Sheri Nemec plays Lily Miller, Nat’s spinster sister. The two were engaged at one time, but because of Sid’s bad habits, Lily broke it off. That doesn’t stop Sid from proposing at regular intervals. The two are very capable in their roles — Lily as the proper one, and Sid, falling off the wagon and turning into a comic.

Marley Cardona has duo roles as Wint Selby, Arthur’s classmate at Yale, and the bartender. Samantha Klukow plays Nora, the maid who simply cannot please Essie.

Steve Kinney has designed a beautiful set. The Millers’ living room is classy, obviously part of the home of a successful businessman. Bar tables, a screen and a park bench and street light easily transform it for other scenes.

Joan Muschler, Pat Parsons and Carol Larson have done a great job with period costumes. Set dressing is by Bill Schmitt. Props are by Crystal Schatz.

Jan Rogness is the stage manager. Lori Larsen runs sound and Kris Bartley runs lights. Mike Wangen is the lighting designer.

Put it all together and it makes for a beautiful production — one with heart that tells us couples are never too old to appreciate a beautiful moon in the sky.

So get a date and head to the theater.

The play runs about two hours and 20 minutes, including intermission.

The play runs tonight through Saturday and Feb. 17-20 at 7:30 p.m. There is also a 2 p.m. matinee this Sunday.

Box office hours are from 3:30 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. before Thursday and Friday performances, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. before Saturday performances and from 1 to 2 p.m. before the Sunday matinee. The box office phone number is 377-4371.

Individual ticket prices are $14 for adults and $10 for students.