Inglis Hall to Present Midwest Premiere of THE LAST HAND, 9/13-10/20

Inglis Hall Productions has announced the Midwest premiere of The Last Hand based on true events in the violent streets of Chicago's West Side and written by Richard James Zieman, at the Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport Ave., September 13 - October 20. Directed by Samuel G. Roberson, The Last Hand runs Thursdays - Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Preview performances are September 13, 14 and 15 at 7:30 p.m. Opening night is Thursday, September 19 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased for $25 per adult or $15 per student/senior by calling the Athenaeum Theatre box office at 773.935.6860 or visiting their website www.AthenaeumTheatre.org.

This compelling, sobering story speaks to the timeless struggles of hope and redemption, captures true events in the violent streets of Chicago's West Side.The Last Hand is the story of two friends: Angel, a young gang member with the hope of escaping a cutthroat existence in order to fulfill his dream as a rapper, and Clip, a hardened gang enforcer who finds his redemption in trying to save Angel from a fatal end. Embroiled in their gang code of respect, status, and violence-the only means of survival their world has taught them-Angel and Clip each desperately pursue their goals, their stories playing out in the taut conflict between loyalty and betrayal. The Last Hand transforms the clinical statistics of gang violence into a living drama of people, each with desires for survival, belonging, and love.

The origin of The Last Hand begins with playwright Zieman's observations while working as a bouncer in River North. Over the course of several nights, Zieman took interest in a young, intriguing twenty-year old who captured the awe of those who surrounded him and acted as an emotional chameleon, shifting from a sly smile quickly into an emotionless stare. The soon discovered gangbanger revealed himself to be an aspiring rapper, explaining the dual nature of being dependent on his suppressing gang leaders to finance the producing of a professional CD, an opportunity to lift himself out of the ghetto."There was [this] striking disparity between the boy's violent lifestyle and the innocence of his smile when he spoke about his dream," says Zieman. "His story captivated me, and I hope it will do the same for an audience."

The complete cast and production team of The Last Hand are listed below.

CAST: Michael Lara (Angel), Anthony Conway (Clip), Jonah Wilson (Pharoah), Daniel Rosenstrauch (Miguel), Sir Jove (El Grito), Mykele Callicutt (Dante), David Parkman (Teenager/Understudy).

Crew: Samuel G. Roberson (director), Richard James Zieman (playwright), August Lysy (assistant director/writer), Brian Sauer (scenic designer/technical director), BrIan Browne (props designer), Mike Goebel (lighting designer), Eloise Petro (costume designer), Russel Goddard (sound designer), Lorenzo C. Blackett Jr. (stage manager) and Lauren Girard Forster (production manager).

Inglis Hall Productions proudly announces the Midwest premiere of The Last Hand, based on true events in the violent streets of Chicago's West Side and written by Richard James Zieman, at the Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport Ave., September 13 - October 20. Directed by Samuel G. Roberson, The Last Hand runs Thursdays - Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Preview performances are September 13, 14 and 15 at 7:30 p.m. Opening night is Thursday, September 19 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased for $25 per adult or $15 per student/senior by calling the Athenaeum Theatre box office at 773.935.6860 or visiting their website www.AthenaeumTheatre.org.