Venice Theatre’s Stage II raises the curtain on a new season tonight, starting with a production of Martin McDonagh’s Tony Award-winning dark Irish comedy The Beauty Queen of Leenane. Enter the world of Maureen Folan, brought to life by actor Nancy Denton, 40 years old and lovelorn, sparring with her spiteful mother (Lynne Buhle) as she fights for one last chance to find the love of her life. By turns hilarious and tragic, McDonagh’s prose shines with its typical brilliance.

“It’s extremely smart theater,” said director Kelly Wynn Woodland, who previously directed McDonagh’s A Behanding In Spokane for Venice Theatre. “It’s a beautiful command of the Irish dialect, and the use of language reflects both the classical Irish playwrights and a quick, almost Tarantino, dialogue.” Unsurprisingly, McDonagh’s films, such as In Bruges, have also found critical acclaim.

Balancing the playwright’s trademark pitchblack humor and the pathos of his characters is key, and not something done easily, said Woodland. “It’s a challenge because it can turn in a second,” she said, a moment of humor becoming tragic or vice versa. So Woodland and the cast held constant table readings, studying the text until the rhythm of the language became second nature and they could identify the precise point where the tone changes for maximum effect. “It helps to be kind of deranged,” she laughed.

Another potential hurdle in adapting the work of an Irish playwright? The Irish accent, notoriously tricky to master but easy to scrutinize. “A lot of people have an ear, and my actors certainly do,” said Woodland, also a dialect coach. “But it wasn’t necessary with this group at all. You won’t find a better cast.”

It’s a bold opening move for the season, but “Stage II is a bold place,” Woodland said unconcerned, “and we have a following for the darker plays.”

Opening tonight in Venice Theatre’s Pinkerton Theatre at 8pm, The Beauty Queen of Leenane runs until Nov. 22. Tickets are $28 for adults, with a student discount available.