Pictured: The cast of NICK AND ZOE, Andrew Rathgeber and Josephine Longo.

the side project has announced the casting for their world premiere of S.J. Spencer’s OXY, OHIO and the Chicago premiere of Daniel Talbott’s NICK AND ZOE. The productions will both be directed by Artistic Director Adam Webster and will play at the company’s former home at 1439 W. Jarvis, now know as the McKaw Theater.

Talbott’s contemporary drama NICK AND ZOE revolves around the volatile relationship between two young New Yorkers, and runs September 6 through September 29. The two-person cast will feature Andrew Rathgeber as Nick and Josephine Longo as Zoe.

Webster directed his Talbott’s full-length plays SLIPPING and MIKE AND SETH at the side project in 2008 and 2014. The company took SLIPPING to the 2008 Dublin International Gay and Lesbian Theatre Festival, and the play was shortlisted for the 2009 LAMBDA Award. The company has also staged several of Talbott’s shorter works.

“I am excited to explore Talbott’s work again, especially in our ‘old space,’ which is perfectly suited to this claustrophobic two-person show,” Webster said. “Daniel’s language is always so alive and visceral, and in this play even more in-your-face than usual as it tackles class, gender, and social issues, as well as honesty, duplicity, and self-discovery.”

Spencer’s new drama is set in Dayton, Ohio, and deals with the opioid epidemic. It runs September 22 and will continue through October 14, and features Tracey Green, David Hamilton, Amy Johnson and Fred Wellisch.

Top row: Tracey Green, David Hamilton. Lower row: Amy Johnson, Fred Wellisch.

Blake Cordell, Cristina McCrystal, Sean McStravick, and Danielle Myerscough will design both productions, with production manager Brian Ruby. Molly Smith is the stage manager for NICK AND ZOE, and Sean Smith is the stage manager for OXY, OHIO.

Tickets for both plays are currently on sale and available at www.thesideproject.net.