The play "urges audiences to see our own time through that lens," according to the announcement. In the play, "three 13th-century Christian soldiers must decide whether to flee a doomed crusade, or fight on to uphold their vow. At the end of the last crusade, three men — Roger, an English lord; Simon, his last surviving man-at-arms; and Bernard, a Knight Templar — escape the fall of Acre and take refuge in a Saracen tent. Injured, Roger slips in and out of consciousness as he struggles to decide whether to hold to his vow and continue on a doomed crusade or return home to the wife and land he left behind."

This is the second show in Stage Left's 23rd anniversary season titled "Reality Check" — an entire season committed to new works about the issues surrounding America's wars in the Middle East.

The Vow was developed through the Downstage Left play development program, and appeared in last season's "LeapFest 1."

SLT producing artistic director Kevin Heckman directs a cast that includes John Sanders, Christine Gatto, Cory Krebsbach, Tim Curtis, Jose Antonio Garcia and Brooke Hardman.

Designers are Leigh Barrett (lighting), Kimberly G. Morris (costume), Edward Reardon (sound) and Sara C. Walsh (set). Stage Left Theatre is at 3408 N. Sheffield, Chicago, IL. For ticket information, call (773) 883-8830 ext. 1.