Northlight artistic director BJ Jones will direct Lance Baker, Paul Sparks and Michael Shannon in the drama, set in the woods of Southern Illinois, hours from Skokie, where Northlight makes its home.

Lady was commissioned by Northlight and written by Wright (author of last season's Grace at Northlight and a writer for TV's "Brothers & Sisters," "Lost" and "Six Feet Under") with the Northlight cast in mind.

"A hunting trip in southern Illinois turns tragic when a U.S. Congressman reveals to his closest friends that he is changing his political party and his stance on the war in Iraq," according to Northlight. "While the friends struggle with conflicting feelings of loyalty and betrayal, one hunter's trusty gun dog, Lady, wanders lost in the forest. As each man's ulterior motives become clear, one thing seems certain: after this walk in the woods, nothing will ever, ever be the same."

Performances will play Jan. 24-Feb. 25, 2007. Opening is Jan. 31.

For more information, visit www.northlight.org or call (847) 673-6300. *

In its 31-year history, Northlight — the fourth largest non-profit theatre in the Chicago area — has mounted over 150 productions, including over 31 world premieres, and garnered 132 Joseph Jefferson Award nominations and 22 Awards. The musical The Last Five Years is among works that received premieres at the suburban resident Equity theatre.