Students from Cornell and Ithaca College are working together to produce "The Hard Man," a fictionalized account of Jimmy Boyle's early life as Glasgow's most notorious gangster. The play, which uses the name Johnny Byrne as Boyle's character, will have its U.S. premiere Nov. 3-6 at Cornell's Risley Theatre.

The first act charts Byrne's Glasgow life from a boyhood of petty crime to brutality, murder and "hard man" status in adulthood. The second act sees Byrne imprisoned and how sadistic prison officers mete out brutality.

"'The Hard Man' combines elements of cabaret, burlesque and farce with a compelling dramatic story -- all accompanied by a jazz percussionist," said Bruce Levitt, professor of directing and acting in Cornell's Department of Theatre, Film and Dance and director of the show. "One of the joys and challenges of directing such a piece is pulling together all of the elements -- dialogue, dialects, fight choreography, acting, sets, costumes, lights and musical accompaniment -- into a dynamic evening of theater."

Cast members include Cornell and Ithaca College students, among others.

Tickets are $15 and can be purchased by calling the Ticket Center at 607-273-4497 or visiting http://www.ithacaevents.com/event/3008-the-hard-man.html. Performances will be at 8 p.m. on Nov. 3-5 and 2 p.m. Nov. 6.