Sandy Shinner directs a cast that includes Joe Dempsey (Ron), Steve Key (Tim), Allison Torem (Roann) and Mary Ann Thebus (as Susan, the mom, a role written for her).

Performances play to Feb. 20 in VG's Zacek McVay Theater. Opening night is Jan. 31. The Tony Award-winning Chicago company is committed to contemporary plays from a stable of in-house writers.

"Joel heard the very first draft of The Boys Room in a reading at VG in the fall of 2008," Shinner said in a statement. "This early support helped him explore explosive relationships in this new play. In the First Look reading at Steppenwolf, the post-play discussion was electric as the audience talked about the humor and immediate relevance of this play about lost jobs, dashed dreams, and the power of a parent's love."

Here's how VG characterizes the new play: "What happens when the American Dream slips out of reach? In The Boys Room, ensemble playwright Joel Drake Johnson walks the line exquisitely between laughter and tears. Two middle-aged brothers try to escape their responsibilities and race each other back to their boyhood bedroom — that sanctuary where they can dream and scheme and, hopefully, recover from the pressure of the outside world. One is unemployed; the other is making a living but is not sure why he should live. Two of the women in their lives have dreams too … and they are knocking on the door, filled with questions and, sometimes, love."

Chicago favorite Thebus is returning to Victory Gardens for the tenth time having first performed there in Close Ties in 1980. This is Thebus' fourth time working with Sandy Shinner and Joel Drake Johnson. She has been seen on most Chicago stages and has been performing in the Chicago area for 20 years. She is the recipient of numerous Jeff nominations and the 2002 After Dark award for her work in The Organic's Painting Churches. The designers are Jeff Bauer (set), Todd Hensley (lights), Carol Blanchard (costumes) and Andre Pluess (sound). The stage manager is Tina Jach.

For more information, visit victorygardens.org.