Saturday evening, I was lucky enough to attend an open rehearsal of the Atlantic Theater Company’s production of Conor McPherson’s show “Port Authority.” The rehearsal took place at the Richard G. Rosenthal Y.M.-Y.W.H.A, in Pleasantville, N.Y.

In the show, which will open in at the Linda Gross Theater later this month, John Gallagher Jr., plays the role of Kevin, a young man who has just moved out of his parents’ house and into a house he shares with friends in Dublin. Brian D’Arcy James plays Dermot, a man hired for a job for which he is unqualified. Both actors, along with director Henry Wishcamper and other production staff, took part in the rehearsal and a Q&A session with the audience afterwards.

Chairs stood in for a bench, the set’s only dressing. Gallagher and James sat as still as possible while the other told his story, standing downstage or pacing slowly. (A former stage manager, I usually go see shows to critique the technical aspects, the set design and scene changes, the sound elements and the lighting.) With nothing to see or hear but the actors, there were no distractions Saturday night. Just Kevin and Dermot, and the truths they tell.

I, for one, thought the stories were funny, thought-provoking and well played, although I didn’t make the connection between the two character’s life paths and choices until discussing the common threads with friends afterwards. (This might be because I’m slow and didn’t understand what one character meant with his great revelation at his grandmother’s funeral. The connection might be clearer with the inclusion of the third character, Joe, played by Jim Norton. Norton originated the role. He did not take part in the rehearsal.)

An audience member from Ireland complimented Gallagher and James on the accuracy of their accents and mannerisms.

Gallagher, James and Wishcamper said that the completed show would be different from the rehearsal, as the production was still evolving…what teases! I thought the show looked and sounded pretty good Saturday (with the exception of a few missed words and calls for lines–it was a rehearsal after all). But, they voiced discontent with the way some of the moments were played or staged. Even so, and still incomplete, it was pretty powerful. I’m curious to see how the final show will play when the curtain opens.