Photo Flash: Theater Wit's THE NORTH PLAN

Hot on the heels of Disgraced at American Theater Company and Old Times at Strawdog Theatre, Chicago director Kimberly Senior helms yet another production on a Chicago storefront stage, the local premiere of Jason Wells' The North Plan.

Theater Wit is now "looking forward to giving The North Plan its first full, professional staging, Feb. 23-Apr. 1, 2012."

About the show: What would ordinary Americans do if the U.S. government fell into tyranny? Jason Wells' newest comedy is a genius mashup between All the President's Men and a Quentin Tarantino flick. In a rural Missouri police station, federal bureaucrat Carlton Berg is harboring the enemies list that can undermine a ruthless cabal currently taking over the U.S. government. Unfortunately, he's in jail. Carlton's only hope is Tanya Shepke, an A.D.D.-afflicted, motor-mouthed redneck, and truly one of the great dramatic creations of our decade. With DHS on the way, can Carlton can convince Tanya that the U.S. government must be overthrown and not to put Lynyrd Skynyrd on the new money?

Senior makes her Theater Wit debut with The North Plan, which she also staged for Steppenwolf's First Look series. Wit's cast features Kate Buddeke as Tanya, Tom Hickey as Pittman, Brian King as Lee, Lucy Sandy as Shonda, Kevin Stark as Carlton and Will Zahrn as Chief Swenson. Hickey, King and Zahrn were also part of the original First Look cast. Designers are Jack Magaw (set), Scott Pillsbury (lights), Rick Sims (sound), Elizabeth Flauto (costumes), Jenny Pinson (props) and Chris Rickett (fight choreographer).

The North Plan previews are Feb. 23-26: Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 pm; Sunday at 3 pm. Previews are $18. Press opening is Tuesday, Feb. 28 at 7 pm. Performances run through Apr. 1: Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., and Sunday at 3 p.m. Performances are $18-$36. Running time is 90 minutes with intermission. There is an added Industry Night Monday, Mar. 5 at 7 pm.

Theater Wit is located at 1229 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. For tickets or information, visit TheaterWit.org or call 773.975.8150. Be sure to ask about the Theater Wit Member Pass, Chicago's only Netflix-like, live theater membership program. Enjoy as many plays as you want on any of Theater Wit's three stages, year round, for one low monthly fee of $36 ($30 for students).

Photo credit: Michael Brosilow