Strange and compelling stories have sprung from the basic setup of two actors and a park bench on a stage. Richard Lyons Conlon takes this premise in an interesting direction in the drama One Time. In a world premiere developed in part at Chicago Dramatists, Next Act Theatre presents this story of two people sharing secrets and a growing familiarity as lifetimes converge on a park bench.

Linda Stephens and Jonathan Gillard Daly star as the two central figures in a production directed by Next Act’s producing artistic director, David Cecsarini. The challenge is to capture a compelling dynamic between these two people without the interaction feeling forced. Next Act should be up to the challenge, as Cecsarini is a director with a true talent for finding nuance in a text.

It also helps to have seasoned actors like Daly and Stephens. Daly has been with the Milwaukee Rep for many years. His one-man show The Daly News showed his ability to capture an audience’s imagination in an intimate venue. Stephens has also created memorable work in studio dramas, most notably in a Rep production of Seascape.

One Time runs April 5-29 at Next Act Theatre, 255 S. Water St. For ticket reservations, call 414-278-0765.