Sitting near each other, laughing about how Oskar Owens hasn't introduced co-star Jack Bannon to his girlfriend yet, it seemed like the two were actually related.

"Soon," Owens said through a laugh. "You'll meet my girlfriend soon. That's when you evolve into full grandfather status."

This chemistry bubbled over throughout the conversation Wednesday, as Owens, 18, and Bannon discussed the two-act production of "On Shaky Ground," which opens next Friday.

Bannon plays Stanley, a grandfather who cares not for modern technology yet needs his grandson (Owens) to assist him in hooking up a modern technological device.

"I’m stuck in the past, he’s moving forward,” Bannon said. “I’m at the end of the parade, he’s leading it."

A catastrophic event takes place and affects the actors in Act I as well as Act II, which stars the show's writer, radio personality Molly Allen, and co-star Billy Hultquist as lovers in the midst of a trying time.

"I don't think that (the audience is) going to feel like they're watching a play. They're going to feel like they’re looking through a window and watching these people talk, connect and not connect and fight and come together," Owens said. "A lot of times I feel like when you think of plays, musicals and stuff come to mind, and they’re really showy and overdone. You can tell it’s a play. But the way that Molly wrote this, it’s just so real and so raw, and what happens there happens every day all over the world. Even if you’ve never experienced it, you’re going to connect with it. I think that’s really cool because its not just a play, it’s a real-life thing that happens."

"It's a slice of life and you get to watch it," Bannon said, adding Allen "writes sweet stuff."

"It's touching," he said. "This evening is about four real people trying to make a connection, and not always succeeding, but having a go at it."

Owens is particularly delighted to act in this play because he has been a fan of Bannon's for as long as he can remember. The North Idaho College student also played Danny in the Lake City High School production of "Grease" last year, which Bannon and his wife, Ellen Travolta, attended and enjoyed.

"To be able to get to perform with Jack is really awesome, because when I was really little I used to try to go see shows he was in because I looked up to him," Owens said. "He's a hometown kind of role model for young actors."

Bannon, a seasoned actor, referenced a play titled "Tuesdays with Morrie" and quoted one of the characters.

"The old man says to the younger man, ‘Inside, I’m every age I’ve ever been.' So part of me is 18 years old, I just have more experience than he does. Doesn't mean I'm better, just means I'm older," he said. "It's really nifty, because I can remember being 18 years old, or being cast in a play or getting a job, being accepted, any number of things. I just figure we’re two guys trying to make two characters come to life."

"On Shaky Ground," directed by Dawn Taylor Reinhardt and Troy Nickerson, is presented by Travolta and Ignite! Community Theatre. It runs Sept. 16-18, 23-25 and 30 and Oct. 1-2; 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays.

Travolta said she is thankful The Coeur d'Alene Resort, Global Credit, Jacob's Upholstery and the Travolta family are supporters of the show.

"I am especially pleased that we have underwriters that have made this production possible," she said, adding a big "thank you" to Ignite! Community Theatre.

Tickets to "On Shaky Ground" are $14 for adults, $13 for students, seniors and military and $12 per person for groups of six or more. They're available at www.igniteonbroadway.org and www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2582624.

Ignite! Community Theatre is located at 10814 E. Broadway Ave., Spokane Valley.

Info: (208) 352-0727