Although one of the most prominent American playwrights of all time, Eugene O’Neill had one major regret during the final years of his life. Eugene dismissed his alcoholic brother James and let him rot away in a New Jersey sanitarium without ever paying him a visit. Since most pieces of art are dedicated or inspired by certain individuals in an artist’s life, O’Neill sat down in his regret and sorrow to pen A Moon for the Misbegotten in homage to his ill brother. Now playing at Trinity Repertory Company, O’Neill’s Moon is in part the sad biographical journey of James and how this famous playwright hopes his brother found eternal peace.

A Moon for the Misbegotten opens in 1923 with Phil (William Damkoehler) and Josie Hogan, a quick witted yet rather rough-around-the-edges father and daughter duo. Once a large Irish Catholic family, the Hogans have slowly dispersed throughout Connecticut because of Phil’s alcoholic tirades. He curses the wealthy, the religious, the successful and most of all, God, for taking his wife while giving birth to their son Michael.

Josie, played by Trinity regular Janice Duclos, is a marvel of a woman-an incredible combination of natural, maternal and sexual attributes. Her larger than life personality provides some rather comical moments throughout the performance. She appears to run through life with wild abandon, running her mouth and sleeping with every man in town. She scoffs at anyone who mentions the idea of marriage. However, these instances only shadow her innermost insecurities and weaknesses in the end.

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