“Why does anyone stay together once they realize who they’re with?” Ouch. That stinging insight by Theo, wife No. 1, is just one of the provocative questions posed in “The Ride Down Mount Morgan,” opening Feb. 3 at the Jewel Box Theatre.

The Arthur Miller play charts the choices people make in life as they try to do what they think is the right thing.

The play centers around Lyman Felt, played by Ken Enright, who is a man who has it all — and then some: a successful insurance business, a garage full of sports cars, and two wives.

His first wife, Theo, played by Kathy Currie, is the model of a good solid wife; conservative, loyal and devoted to her husband and their daughter, Bessie, played by Crystal Gurney.

His second wife is the total opposite and feeds his wild side. Leah, played by Judi Doremus, is vivacious and full of life, inspiring him to learn to fly, race cars and live life to the fullest. Their nine-year union has produced a son.

Felt’s worlds collide when he crashes his Porsche while careening down icy Mount Morgan, and ends up in the hospital.

Never have the words, “your wife is here,” struck such terror into a man’s heart.

“This is the ride ‘down’ Mount Morgan — the whole thing is the crash,” director Todd Erler said. “Felt is both the hero and the villain.”

Playwright Miller specialized in morality plays, with sometimes gray lines between right and wrong, but always a moral at the end.

“Arthur Miller was very much about human good and evil. He liked to play with the notion of right and wrong,” Erler said. “Mount Morgan” is compelling in that there is no clear line between good and evil.

Is Felt an amoral bigamist, or was he just trying to do the right thing, for two women, by marrying both?

“He lives in a world of his own truth,” Enright said of his character. “He sees himself as a good husband to two women. It comes down to a question of whether monogamy is the right lifestyle for every man — or woman.”

Erler also said the play raises provocative questions about the nature of relationships, and what is considered appropriate.

“Some people in the audience will be jealous of Felt (because) he has it all — but they won’t say it,” Erler said.

Admitting to admiration for a two-timing husband who refuses to see anything wrong with his lifestyle may not be a popular position, but that’s what Miller wants people to think about.

As Felt says, “Be true to yourself at whatever the cost.”

If this sounds like a pretty heavy night at the theater, rest assured, there is comic relief as well as biting dialogue.

“The best play makes you laugh, then grabs it right back from you,” Erler said.

Enright is a capable actor for the complex role of Felt, with more than 25 years on the stage, including touring with the National Shakespeare Company.

He has performed in several shows with the Bainbridge Performing Arts, and this is his debut with the Jewel Box Theatre.

Erler is the co-director of the What Happens Next? comedy improv troupe at the Jewel Box and recently appeared in “Einstein and the Polar Bear” and “Music from a Sparkling Planet.”

Erler has been involved in theater for more than 20 years, and was an assistant stage manager at The 5th Avenue and Intiman theaters in Seattle. He now teaches fifth grade on Bainbridge Island and has performed in “Inspecting Carol” at BPA and with the Island Theater at The Playhouse.

“The Ride Down Mount Morgan” opens Feb. 3 and runs weekends through March 4 at the Jewel Box Theatre, 225 Iverson St., Poulsbo. Showtimes are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, plus a 2 p.m. matinee Feb. 12.

Tickets are $14 adults, $12 seniors, students and active duty military, available in Poulsbo at Liberty Bay Books and the Jensen Way branch of Frontier Bank, in Silverdale at the Kitsap Mall information booth or by phone at (360) 779-9688.

The play is recommended for mature audiences due to language. wu