Pictured (Top Row, L to R): Jeff Kurysz, Jenni Hadley, Jimmy Chung, Keiran McCabe, Krystal Ortiz. (Bottom Row L to R): Marika Mashburn, Mark A. Rogers, Matthew Lunt, Paul Fagan, and Ray Rehberg.

The House Theatre of Chicago has announced the cast and design team for the company’s second main stage production of its 18th season, the world premiere of Brett Neveu’s “Verböten” with music and lyrics by Jason Narducy, and directed by Artistic Director Nathan Allen.

The cast features Kieren McCabe (Jason); Krystal Ortiz (Tracey); Matthew Lunt (Chris); Jeff Kurysz (Zack); Jimmy Chung (Jason’s Stepdad); Ray Rehberg (Jason’s Dad); Paul Fagen (Tracy’s Dad); Jenni M. Hadley (Tracy’s Mom); Marika Mashburn (Chris’s Sister); Marc A. Rogers (Zack’s Dad); Cari Meixner (u/s Tracey and Chris’s Sister); Derek Fawcett (u/s Tracey’s Dad and Zack’s Dad); Steven Romero Schaeffer (u/s Jason, Chris and Zack); Nick Villalon (u/s Jason’s Dad and Jason’s Stepdad) and A. Nikki Greenlee (u/s Tracey’s Mom).

The design team includes Lee Keenan (Set and Lights), Izumi Inaba (Costumes), Matthew Muñiz (Arrangements/Music Direction), Marika Mashburn (Casting), Grover Hollway (Sound), Kasey Foster (Choreography), Eleanor Kahn (Props), Amalie Vega (Stage management).

It’s 1983 in Chicago and it’s do-or-die for Verböten—a band that is made up of outsider teens with seriously complex home lives. As they gear up for a show at The Cubby Bear that is sure to change their lives forever, can they keep their parents from destroying the fabric of their self-made punk rock family?

“We started a punk rock band in Evanston in 1982. I was 11 years old and it felt incredible to write original songs and play them with my friends,” comments Narducy. “We all had our own issues at home but we found love and support in our little group. We were Verböten. Brett Neveu wrote this play (not strictly) depicting our scene in Evanston in 1983 and I think he captured the spirit of the band and both the humor and confusion that we possessed. I’m thrilled to be a part of this production. The cast and crew are incredible. I can’t thank The House Theatre of Chicago and Brett enough for taking our story to the stage 37 years after we made punk rock songs in an Evanston basement,”

“Verböten” runs January 16 – March 8 at the Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division St. For more information visit www.thehousetheatre.com.