Hot on the heels of their successful production of the updated Stephen Schwartz-Nina Faso musical Working (which has reopened at the nearby Metropolis Performing Arts Center), Chicago's American Theatre Company proceed with their season. Next on the menu is Ben Bettenbender's comedy Vick's Boy, beginning previews Feb. 28 and opening March 5 for a run through March 31.

Naive and nerdy Lester drones through his rat-race routine of a life. But his boss, Vick, has other plans for the both of them and uses him in a blackmail ploy to get them out of their dead-end jobs. Office politics and lack of human interaction are explored and lampooned in the play that was originally produced by New York City's Rattlestick Productions.

Richard Shavzin makes his ATC directorial debut in this production. His cast includes Joe Dempsey, Andrew Micheli, Cheryl Graeff, Paul Christopher Hobbs and Joel Mehr. The design team features Roger Smart (sets), Ben White (lights), Jana Stauffer (costumes) and Lindsay Jones (sound).

For tickets to Vick's Boy at ATC, 1909 West Byron (at Lincoln), call (773) 929-1031. For prices, times and further information, visit ATC's URL at www.atcweb.org.

— by Ernio Hernandez