Merrick's credits include the screenplay to "Memphis Belle," teleplays and plays. Northlight artistic director BJ Jones directs a cast that will include Mary Ann Thebus, Rengin Altay, Julie Ganey and Keith Kupferer.

Here's how Northlight describes the work: "Your mother is a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, your sister is flaking out at a spiritual retreat, and your high school boyfriend drops by just to say hi. This is why Julia Elliot moved 3,000 miles away in the first place. Suddenly called home, Julia is forced to confront a difficult truth about her mother, who faces the inevitable process of aging and dependency. With humor and strength, Julia struggles to repair the fragile tissue that binds her family together in this heartfelt world premiere."

Jones told Playbill On-Line that he was taken with the play's portrait of the "sandwich generation" — middle aged folks who are dealing with their aging parents and their own coming-of-age kids. It's also about a mother who is an artist and how juggling art and parenthood takes a toll, Jones said.

Designers will be Joe Appelt (lighting), Frances Maggio (costumes), Andre Pluess (sound) and Matthew York (scenic).

Tickets for Cat Feet, which range from $34-$48, go on sale Sept. 6. For more information, visit www.northlight.org. All performances will be at Northlight Theatre, located in the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Boulevard in Skokie.