Tommy, the middle-aged man at the center of Conor McPherson’s The Night Alive, is having a rough go of it: living outside Dublin, very little occupies his time. He spends his days avoiding his estranged wife and plotting ways to get easy money instead of, you know, looking for work. When he helps a young woman flee a violent attack, Tommy gains a sense of purpose and Aimee gains a friend. Though the pair appears mismatched, their affection for one another grows as they reflect on their pasts and attempt to find hope in the future, even when other events derail their attempts. The Night Alive marks McPherson’s long-awaited return to Round House Theatre, following a well-received 2002 production of The Weir. Under the skillful direction of RHT’s Artistic Director Ryan Rilette and starring local favorites Edward Gero as Tommy and Katie deBuys as Aimee, this production will certainly perk up lackluster weekends. The play runs Oct. 21 to Nov. 13 at Round House Theatre, 4545 East-West Highway, Bethesda. $36–$61. (240) 644-1100. roundhousetheatre.org.