DeKalb | NIU’s performance of “The Real Thing” tests character’s patience and chaos with love, guilt and betrayal.

The school of Theater and Dance will perform The Tony award winning play at 7:30 p.m. tonight at Huntley Middle School, 1515 South Fourth St. The play will run at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. “The Real Thing” is a Tom Stoppard production and is a play-within-a-play and opens with Max and Charlotte, a married couple whose marriage is reaching its breaking point. The two appear in an adult-themed play, “House of Cards.” “House of Cards” is a London West End hit written by Charlotte’s husband, Henry. The leading man of the play within the play, Max, is married to an actress named Annie played by graduate acting student by Alys Dickerson.

Dickerson said the play represents the dynamic of men and women in relationships.

“In the play, Henry and Annie both have different needs. I like playing Annie because she’s open, will-driven, funny and sexy. She also plays an actress, and I’m close to the actress. I also feel close to her as the character,” Dickerson said. “‘The Real Thing’ is like an onion, there are layers upon layers that the audience will discover in this play.”

The play’s director, Kay Martinovich, said she saw the original play in Minneapolis and fell in love with it.

“I jumped at the chance to direct it when I heard they were doing it here,” Marinovich said. “It’s a play about love, relationships and infidelity.” She said. “My favorite thing about directing this play was the language. It’s very rich. I’m very excited and I think it’ll be a great show for high school and college students to enjoy.”

David Booth, School of Theater and Dance marketing director, said audience members have something to look forward to.

“The play is cleverly written and I think the audience will enjoy it,” Booth said.