The cavernous St. Ann’s Warehouse provides the perfect theatrical environment for Misterman, Irish playwright Enda Walsh’s one-person play starring Cillian Murphy in his U.S. stage debut. The actor--best known on our shores for his intense turns in such hit films as The Dark Knight and Inception—delivers a nearly aerobic performance as he ricochets around the environs of the massive space which simultaneously evokes an abandoned factory and the messy recesses of his character’s disintegrating psyche.

First staged in 1999, this work by the author of such plays as Disco Pigs, Penelope and The Walworth Farce (all of which also received their American premieres at this venue) features Murphy as Thomas Magill, a religious fanatic who has made it his mission to bring divine salvation to the denizens of the town of Inishfree.

He has documented his efforts on a series of audio recordings, snippets of which are heard being emitted by the numerous tape recorders scattered around the junk-laden space. As Thomas delivers a stream-of-consciousness monologue that becomes increasingly disjointed and surreal, he provides the voices of several of the townspeople, who are not exactly receptive to his desperate exhortations. He also engages in a running dialogue with his “Mammy,” demonstrating that the crazy apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

The stylized proceedings become increasingly tiresome over the play’s 80-minute running time, and viewers may at times be hard-pressed to figure out exactly what’s going on. But there’s no denying the virtuosity of Murphy’s fiercely visceral performance, the highlight of which is his solo depiction of a beating inflicted on Thomas that is a masterful display of physical acting.

Adding greatly to the overall impact are the stunning production elements, including Jamie Vartan’s awesomely detailed set that seems to reveal new facets with every glance, and the bravura sound design by Gregory Clarke that conjures everything from barking dogs to the bucolic sounds of a pastoral village.

But the main special effect is Murphy himself. When he directs his gaze—featuring those much-commented upon, piercing blue eyes—at the audience, the results are hypnotic. His character may indeed be crazy, but we would probably follow him anywhere.

St. Ann’s Warehouse, 38 Water St. Brooklyn, NYC. 718-254-8779. www.stannswarehouse.org.