Though it sounds a bit like a B-movie that might get picked apart on “Mystery Science Theater 3000,” “Night of the Iguana” — now being staged by MorrisCo Art Theatre Company — is actually a Tennessee Williams play that marked the end of what many scholars consider to be the strongest phase of Williams’ career as a playwright.

Director Susan Morris hadn’t read the play before seeing it produced at the Stratford Festival of Canada years ago, but the show quickly won her over.

Telling the story of the unlikely friendship that develops between a disgraced ex-minister-turned-tour-guide and a middle-aged, spinster artist who travels the world with her poet grandfather, the drama unfolds in a cheap hotel in Mexico.

“(‘Iguana’) has a somewhat optimistic viewpoint,” said Morris. “The people in the play are troubled, but there’s also a resilience about them that I admire. I actually find the play uplifting. … And the poetry of this play is more beautiful than any of the other Tennessee Williams plays I’ve worked with, and I’ve worked with most of them. It’s such a beautiful work of art. I’m surprised it’s not done more frequently.”

One of the play’s biggest challenges is nailing down the character of Reverend T. Lawrence Shannon, who, before the play begins, is accused of committing statutory rape on a 16 year old girl who’s part of his tour group.

“He’s so complex,” said Morris. “The character of Shannon is extremely complicated, so it’s been a huge task for the actor and for me to find and understand everything in it."

A 1964 film adaptation of “Iguana,” directed by John Huston, starred Richard Burton in the role, as well as Ava Gardner and Deborah Kerr. And the play’s original Broadway run, which began at the tail-end of 1961, featured Bette Davis as the lusty, newly widowed hotel manager, Maxine.

“(The Stratford production) made Maxine unattractive,” said Morris. “I was careful to find someone who wasn’t horribly sympathetic at first blush — she’s rough — but who is likable and pretty, because the character in the story needs to be someone you like.”

And while you might not associate Williams with comedy, Morris noted that in “Iguana,” there’s “lots of funny stuff going on. It’s not a slapstick comedy, by any means, but (Williams) has this wonderful wit. … It doesn’t often end up appearing in his plays, but in this one, it’s there.”

For this reason, Morris confessed that she’s found herself laughing often during rehearsals. Even so, she and her cast are still working hard to access the play’s core themes.

“I think it’s really about love, … in all its positive and negative aspects,” said Morris. “There’s all sorts of different love in this play. Supportive, touching, destructive, some that’s just sexual. … So it’s a study of love, but also, the element of religion plays very heavily in (the story). And I’m not certain yet … what (‘Iguana’) tells us about religion. … But I’ll find out. We’ll find out.”

Jenn McKee is the entertainment digital journalist for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at jennmckee@annarbor.com or 734-623-2546, and follow her on Twitter @jennmckee.

PREVIEW “Night of the Iguana” Who: MorrisCo Art Theatre Company. What: Tennessee Williams play, set in Mexico, about the friendship that develops between a scandalized ex-minister and a struggling artist spinster who travels the world with her poet grandfather. Where: Riverside Arts Center, 76 N. Huron St. in Ypsilanti. When: 8 p.m. Thursday-Friday; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19-21 only. How much: $18 ($15 for students and seniors). Info: 734-996-2549 or info@morrisco.org.