The PigPen Theatre Co. returns to the Vineyard tonight, July 17, with a new take on their first story, The Hunter and the Bear.

The seven member ensemble was created by Alex Falberg, Arya Shahi, Ben Ferguson, Curtis Gillen, Dan Weschler, Matt Nuernberger and Ryan Melia their freshman year at Carnegie Mellon University in 2007. This week they have been in residence at Vineyard Arts Project incubating their play and will perform this work in progress tonight at 7 p.m.

The Hunter and the Bear will take the audience on a journey with a man who seeks the bear that killed his child.

The group blend folk music, storytelling, puppetry and unique set construction to weave tales that travel a gamut of emotions. A few years ago the group incubated and performed The Old Man and the Old Moon, a story of the man who keeps the moon full and his journey to find his missing wife. That show went on to have a successful run in New York city.

Mr. Shahi said he is excited for both those who have seen their performances of The Old Man and the Old Moon and those who have not, to come to The Hunter and the Bear, calling it, “a whole other world.”

The idea of a staging the play so early in its developmental phase, the first shaky steps of a down-covered chick heading to the edge of its nest, is terrifying in a good way for the company.

“We’re excited to throw ourselves on the mercy of the audience, the excitement for an audience is in seeing something so fresh and so raw and so new,” said Mr. Weschler.

The Hunter and the Bear was commissioned by Ars Nova and Manhattan Theatre Club. The show will be at Vineyard Arts Project, 215 Upper Main street, July 17, at 7 p.m. Tickets are pay what you can and are available through ticketsmv.com or at the door.