Schwimmer and ensemble member Heidi Stillman direct the new script, about "a seemingly innocent online encounter that threatens to unravel the fabric of an American family." The staging plays to April 25 at Lookingglass in Chicago.

*

According to Lookingglass, "Using state of the art technology, Trust will be a cutting-edge theatrical experience, combining projection, video, photos, texting and live chat."

The cast includes Lookingglass ensemble members Christine Mary Dunford, Raymond Fox and Philip R. Smith with Amy J. Carle, Spencer Curnutt, Keith Kupferer, Zanny Laird, Zoe Levin, Marianna Oharenko, Morocco Omari and Allison Torem.

The design team includes ensemble member Dan Ostling (set); ensemble member Mara Blumenfeld (costume design); artistic associate Christine Binder (lighting); artistic associate Rick Sims and Michael Griggs (sound design); and William Anderson (properties). The multimedia design is by Bridges Media. According to Lookingglass notes, "The design is dominated by projections with video, texting and live chatting. Much of this play's themes circle around this landscape and how, because of its pervasive quality, this new technology threatens the very fabric of our lives."

Schwimmer (widely known as the TV star of "Friends") just finished directing the film version of Trust in Michigan for Millennium Films Projects. The film features Clive Owen and Catherine Keener as the parents of a 14-year old daughter, who is victimized in an online chat room. Lookingglass cast members Spencer Curnutt, Zanny Laird, Zoe Levin will also appear in the film.

The play was brought to Lookingglass by Schwimmer, who is a current board member of The Rape Foundation of Santa Monica and an active supporter of the Rape Treatment Center in Los Angeles.

"Lookinnglass is thrilled to be producing this original production," artistic director David Catlin said in a statement. "It is the issues in Trust that inspired David Schwimmer to create and direct this production and the company to produce it. Our hope is to create an exciting and important piece of theatre and that the play, film and our community partnerships will bring maximum attention to this important matter."

Lookingglass Theatre Company is located inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson.

For tickets and information, visit www.lookingglasstheatre.org or call (312) 337-0665.