RIDGEFIELD — Under the dappled light of a Baltimore County backyard, a father and daughter repeatedly try to find common ground in Anna Moench’s Birds of North America, Thrown Stone Theatre Company’s second summer production.

The Thrown Stones program describes both of the theater’s summer repertory productions — which [naviga:u]began with Cry It Out[/naviga:u], continuing to July 28 — to be about “how we live with the ones we love the most,” and the inherent challenges in doing so. In Birds of North America, John and his daughter, Caitlin, find a connection in birding.

Covering a period of 12 years and featuring specific conflicts in their relationship, John (playing by J.R. Sullivan) and his adult daughter, Caitlin (Melisa Breiner-Sanders) meet in the backyard of the house that John still owns and was Caitlin’s childhood home.

Enormous amounts of emotional baggage and judgement are revealed at each meeting. Their conflicts escalate while intermittently distracted by one or the other catching sight of an interesting bird through the binoculars they carry.

Through these lenses, John and Caitlin are able to share an interest, although Caitlin appears to be playing along simply to be in her father’s company in a way she hopes he will appreciate. Their tenuous connection is regularly disrupted by his harsh criticism and her perceived defiance.

John has a rigid set of principles that he forces on his daughter. Although Caitlin longs for his acceptance, approval, and comfort, she cannot and will not comply with his demands.

John is well played by the very talented J.R. Sullivan. His curmudgeon of a character garners little sympathy as he lashes out against every other person mentioned in the play, other than his wife of many decades. He reveres her, yet on the whole, cannot get out of his own way. Mr Sullivan unearths humor in his character, which he delivers beautifully.

As the daughter who perseveres in a relationship that is painful, Melisa Breiner-Sanders is lovely. Her character confides in her dad, baring her soul as well as her claws. This actor finds depth as her Caitlin matures. She gives a moving portrayal of a daughter searching for something that cannot be found.

The two plays performed by Thrown Stone do so on nearly identical sets. The backyard environment is perfectly utilized for each. Staging of the birding in Birds of North America is well done by director Jason Peck. This drama is a touching and subtle work that is very much worth seeing.

Performances continue to August 3 at Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance, 440 Main Street (Route 35) in Ridgefield.

Tickets are available through [naviga:u]thrownstone.org[/naviga:u] and range from $29 to $59. Visit the website or call 203-442-1714 for additional information.