A wounded veteran retreats into an elaborate fantasy world in Joseph Dougherty's Chester Bailey, which is currently getting its world premiere at American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco. Opening night is scheduled for June 1.

The production stars Broadway veteran and Academy Award nominee David Strathairn (The Heiress; Good Night, and Good Luck; Lincoln) and Bay Area actor Dan Clegg.

Chester Bailey centers on an injured young man post-World War II and the relationship he forms in the wake of his recovery. According to press notes, “Chester Bailey denies what’s happened to him has actually happened... which is how he comes under the care of Dr. Philip Cotton. Older and wounded in his own ways, Cotton is charged with leading Chester back to a reality consisting of pain and loss. The journey is not what either man expected."

Dougherty is a Drama Desk nominee whose play Digby was staged at Manhattan Theatre Club. He wrote the libretto for the Tony Award-winning musical My Favorite Year, produced at Lincoln Center Theater. He is an Emmy winner for his writing on Thirtysomething.

The limited run is scheduled through June 12. For tickets visit the ACT website.