Jackalope Theatre Closes THE LAST DUCK

Jackalope Theatre Company closes the final play of its 2011-2012 season, The Last Duck, by Lucas Neff, directed by guest artist, Marti Lyons, tonight, April 15th, at the Viaduct Theatre, 3111 N Western Ave.

At the cold and muddy edges of a ruined lake, Gerry, an actor, and Royall, a writer, engage in a battle of whiskey and wits, but only one knows the true end game. Tense and precise, the play follows the unexpected and dramatic events of a single night between strangers. In this world premiere production, the actors will alternate roles nightly, illuminating the psychological differences of and between each character as well as within the story itself. Neff's swift, muscular dialogue hammers at the moral constructs of our society and does so with a breathless, unceasing tension that begs the question, "Given the choice, given the chance... what would you really do?"

Lucas Neff was born and raised in Chicago where he attended the theater program at UIC and the School at Steppenwolf. Shortly after graduating he won the leading role in Fox's Raising Hope, now is in its 2nd season. Though stationed in Los Angeles, Neff calls Chicago home, and will return to be a part of the rehearsal process for the first full production of one of his scripts. Those only familiar with Neff's work as the good-hearted naïf from the Fox sitcom will be jolted to see a fiercely intelligent script from a gifted young playwright. Neff vigorously confronts the social constructs, philosophies, and morals that we hold onto for dear life. The Last Duck is an unapologetic debut from a bold and ingenious new voice.

MARTI LYONS was born in Chicago and spent her early childhood unknowingly just a few
blocks from Lucas Neff. Marti recently directed the Chicago premiere of Brainpeople by Jose
Rivera, assistant directed Mr. Rickey Calls a Meeting at Lookingglass Theatre Company,
attended the Lincoln Center Directors Lab in NYC, associate directed Old Times with Kimberly Senior, directed Cities of Light at Piven Theatre Workshop, and directed Children of
a Lesser God at Oakton Community College. This spring in addition to directing The Last Duck for Jackalope Theatre Company, Marti will assistant direct for Michael Patrick Thornton on Will Eno's Oh, the Humanity (and other exclamations) at The Gift Theatre. Marti serves as the Literary Manager and Company Dramaturg for Lookingglass Theatre Company. For more information, visit www.jackalopetheatre.org

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