There may be an underlying message in the name of the character Braddoc DeCaires plays in "Duck Hunter Shoots Angel," Manoa Valley Theatre's latest stage production, opening Thursday.

DeCaires plays Duwell (pronounced DO-well), one of two bumbling Alabama brothers who believe they shot a celestial being.

That neither Duwell nor brother Duwayne have ever shot anything before is part of the excitement. Both are unemployed and hunt daily, so when they see what they think is a duck dropping from the sky, they celebrate.

And when they see what they shot laying on the ground has a long robe, blonde hair and huge wings — they contemplate their fate and which shooter will be in trouble for bringing down the alleged angel.

Along the way they're joined by a cynical tabloid journalist and photographer who don't believe anything until feathers, wings and a tiara are discovered.

"There's a good vibe with this show," DeCaires said. "The cast is funny. My character, we think, may have a psychic connection with the angel, so maybe 'DOwell' is a tip on his character. It's all part of the story, which is very funny. My brother Duwayne (Jim Tharp) is a cross between Elmer Fudd and Dick Cheney."

"Duck Hunter Shoots Angel," is a play written by Mitch Albom, who also penned MVT's last production "Tuesdays with Morrie."

This one is much different. Instead of basically a two-man play like "Tuesdays," "Ducks" has eight characters. And while the "Tuesdays" set was basically a bed or chair, "Ducks" drops theater patrons into the Alabama backwoods and swamp.

It's a comedy with an underlying message.

"It makes you think and it makes you laugh," DeCaires said. "To me, everybody's idea of faith is different, just like your own fingerprint."

In real life, DeCaires said he doesn't know if he could ever hunt.

"The one time I thought about it, I was fly-fishing and a deer came into the stream, a 14- or 16-point buck that was huge," DeCaires said. "I remember looking at it and thinking 'I could never shoot something so beautiful.' "

Though Duwell and Duwayne shoot the angel (or was it?), Albom's play follows the cynical journalist (Sandy) as his beliefs are tested.

"All I can tell you is there is a resolution at the end if it really is an angel," DeCaires said. "But I don't want to give anything away. With this set and cast, you really get sucked in."