Artistic director Joe Jahraus directs. Opening is Oct. 1. Both performers appeared in Profiles' long-running play Graceland.

According to production notes, "In a time of national tragedy, the world changes overnight. On Sept. 12, 2001, Ben Harcourt finds himself in the downtown apartment of his lover, Abby Prescott. Over the course of the night, Ben and Abby explore the choices now available to them in an existence different from the one they knew just the day before. LaBute presents the brutal realities of their relationship and explores whether one can be truly opportunistic in a time of universal selflessness."

The Mercy Seat was among the first major theatrical responses to the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. It premiered at Off-Broadway's MCC Theater in December 2002 and was both a commercial and critical success, selling out for the length of its run.

This is Profiles Theatre's seventh Midwest premiere of LaBute’s work following their productions of In a Dark Dark House, This is How it Goes and Fat Pig, among others.

"I feel very lucky indeed to have this delicate drama in the sure hands of Profiles, which has become my theatrical home in Chicago," LaBute said in a statement. "If anyone can find the beating heart of this play, it will be Darrell Cox and Joe Jahraus and the actress who is crazy enough to step into the ring with them. I predict a knockout." The designers are Sotirious Livaditis (set), Jessica Harpenau (lights), Ricky Lurie (costumes) and Stephanie Sherline (sound and original music). The assistant director is Darcy McGill, and the stage manager is Amanda Reader.

For more information visit www.profilestheatre.org or call (773) 549-1815.