The Irish have a way with words. They use them most effectively when telling stories. Such is the case with Shining City, now playing at Studio Theatre. Playwright Conor McPherson—one of the shining lights in contemporary theater—spins an interesting tale of two men who are at turning points in their lives.

Ian, played with understatement and compassion by Donald Carrier, is a therapist. John—Ed Gero, in his best performance to date—is his patient. Ian, whose girlfriend just had their baby, does not take well to fatherhood. John, whose wife has just died, is trying to assuage the guilt he feels for having been a cold husband.

What follows is talk, talk, talk—including references to God, the priesthood, sex, and ghosts. The ghost part makes the 90-minute performance’s ending somewhat enigmatic—I’m not sure I got the meaning. But up until then, the play is a well-told tale, sometimes enthralling. The performances are excellent. A tip of the hat to McPherson, the actors, and their director, Joy Zinoman.