CHICAGO -- Last Chance to catch The Million Bells of Ocean before it submerges May 24 at the American Theatre Company. The show began previews Apr. 23 and world premiered Apr. 27.

Written by Seattle playwright Edward Mast, the fantastical play depicts a son who sets off to visit his dying father, an inventor, sculptor and raconteur. The journey takes him across space and time. To depict it, the actors dodge torrential rains and portray West Coast gangs, furniture, appliances and Dad's sculptures. They speak Nahuatl, the Aztec language. Brian Russell directs and Jim Leaming plays the questing son.

After Bells, ATC will ring in its next season in September. Here's the tentative 1998-99 schedule:
Sept. 11-Oct. 11: The Threepenny Opera by Bertolt Brecht & Kurt Weill.
Nov. 25-Dec. 27: Pledge of Allegiance, by Mark Geisser.
Mar. 1999: TBA: One Day Only by Edward Mast (author of The Million Bells of Ocean).

For information on shows at American Theatre Company, 1909 West Byron, call (773) 929-1031.

-- By Lawrence Bommer
Chicago Correspondent and
David Lefkowitz