Shakespeare’s “The Winter’s Tale” will open the University of Dayton’s 2012-13 season Friday in the Kennedy Union Boll Theatre.

Centered on two kings/childhood friends and an accusation of infidelity ultimately splintering multiple relationships and offspring, “Winter’s Tale” is widely considered one of the Bard’s “problem plays” due to a lopsided construction of searing drama and romantic comedy. Even so, the multilayered play, set in Sicilia and Bohemia and performed in five acts, is a compelling look at jealousy, grief, love and parenting concluding with a glimmer of magic.

“I have been drawn to this play for more than 25 years,” said director Linda Dunlevy, whose previous UD credits include “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “Mother Courage and Her Children” and “Scapin.” “My initial interest was how to make the play a unified theatrical piece with a seemingly tragic first half and a comic second half. For centuries, critics suggested this structural flaw was a serious weakness in the play. Yet, the play was so appealing to me. The more I read it, the more the structure became a strength rather than a weakness.”

Emphasizing the lure of tales in general, Dunlevy has set her production “long ago and far away” but is aiming for the 10th century in terms of atmospherics. She has staged Shakespeare in the past and fully recognizes the substantive challenges that can arise, particularly as the actors attempt to grasp the language in a way that connects beyond mere recitation.

“Any classical work is challenging for the director and for students,” she said. “The language is the most important challenge. Making certain the actor understands what he or she is saying is essential. Saying it beautifully is to be desired, but making meaning is the priority. Other than the language, Shakespeare poses no inherent difficulty, but in our small program the numbers of actors required is a challenge.”

The cast consists of Suhaib Baghdadi, Bryan Bryk, Alex Burchfield, Kevin Cavallaro, Alex Chilton, Patrick Coyle, Beverly Dines, Owen Ginley, Jonathan Golab, Jenna Gomes, Rebecca Hale, Mary Mykytka, Brennan Paulin, Christina Pierce, Margie Powell, Taylor Ruffin, Kevin Schaefer, Leah Titlebaum, Brandon Woods and Yuan Zhau. A group of faculty members will portray the Bear that notably kills the loyal Lord Antigonus.

“The first place to look to uncover the essence of a play is the title,” Dunlevy said. “(‘Winter’s Tale’) is a tale, a tall tale with some good home truths. I hope audiences take away lighter hearts from our production.”

The remainder of UD’s season will feature Edward Albee’s dramatic double bill “The American Dream/Zoo Story” (Jan. 25-Feb. 2, directed by Tony Dallas) and John Hartmere Jr. and Damon Intrabartolo’s provocative pop musical “Bare” (March 15-23, directed by Gina Kleesattel).