When the Irish Classical Theatre Company mounted its first production of Frank McGuinness’ “Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me” in 1994, the systematic kidnapping of foreign hostages by members of Hezbollah in Lebanon, the last of whom was released in 1992, still resonated in people’s minds. Today, though Lebanon no longer serves as the focal point of international hostage crises, the problem continues to rear its head across the Middle East. And the Irish Classical, recognizing the ongoing relevance of the issue and the power of drama to confront it, will mount a new production of the play opening at 7:30 tonight in the Andrews Theatre. McGuinness’ three-person play focuses on the trials of three hostages—an Englishman, Irishman and American—holed up in a Beirut basement. If that sounds like the setup for a particularly grim joke, you’re not completely off the mark. McGuinness has infused the play with plenty of humor amid the hostages’ unfortunate situations—one weapon in their scant arsenal against encroaching boredom and insanity. Irish Classical Artistic Director Vincent O’Neill reprises his role as the Irishman and is joined onstage by Louis Colaiacovo as the Englishman and Dan Walker as the American. Greg Natale directs. Tickets are $32 to $42, with student tickets available one hour before curtain at the theater’s box office for $15. The show runs through Nov. 22. Call 853-1380 or visit

www.irishclassicaltheatre.com

. -Colin Dabkowski