Actress Morton is currently climbing a mountain every night as the frayed oldest daughter, Barbara, in Broadway's August: Osage County, which began at Steppenwolf in 2007 before triumphing in New York City (it won the Best Play Tony Award and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama). Her Broadway exit date has not been announced, but she'll be in rehearsals for Dublin Carol in Chicago in October.

The production will run Nov. 6-Dec. 21 in Steppenwolf's Upstairs Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St. Opening is Nov. 16.

In the Irish play, according to Steppenwolf, "John, played by Petersen, a man whose life was nearly destroyed by drinking, now holds down a steady job at a Dublin undertaker's office. When his estranged daughter appears on Christmas Eve with disturbing news, it sets off a series of painful confessions that ultimately offer John a chance to escape the burden of his past."

Dublin Carol is the first of two plays by McPherson premiering in Chicago at Steppenwolf this season. McPherson's The Seafarer starring John Mahoney makes its Chicago debut Dec. 4, 2008-Feb. 8, 2009 in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre, following its critically acclaimed Broadway run.

Petersen, whose appearances on the hit TV series "CSI" will be limited this season, is sticking around Chicago's theatre scene in the coming year: Next summer, he'll star in Victory Gardens Theater's production of David Harrower's Blackbird. Steppenwolf Ensemble member Morton received a 2008 Tony nomination for her role in August: Osage County. She most recently directed Dublin Carol (starring Petersen) at Trinity Repertory Theatre in Rhode Island, as well as Conor McPherson's The Weir at Steppenwolf.

The design team includes Kevin Depinet (sets), Ana Kuzmanic (costumes), Bob Christen (lights) and Rob Milburn and Michael Bodeen (sound). Michelle Medvin is the stage manager.

For more information visit (312) 335-1650 or visit www.steppenwolf.org.