The Phoenix Theatre will present the Midwest premiere of Deborah Zoe Laufer’s apocalyptic comedy End Days Jan. 3-Feb. 3 as part of the show’s “rolling world premiere” through the National New Play Network. Florida Stage (Manalapan, Fla., October of 2007) and Curious Theatre Company (Denver, Colo., 2008-2009 season) are the other NNPN theaters participating.

The play is about a Jewish family that has lost its way in the world. Arthur Stein has not changed out of his pajamas since 2001, and his wife Sylvia has dealt with changes in the world by finding Jesus, with whom she has such a close personal relationship that He follows her around the house and brews her coffee. Arthur and Sylvia’s 16-year-old daughter Rachel has responded to her parents’ crises by turning to a Goth lifestyle. Nelson Steinberg, the new boy in Rachel’s class who dresses as Elvis, develops a serious crush on Rachel and begins hanging out at her family’s condo. Nelson lives and breathes science and soon Stephen Hawking appears as a spirit guide.

The rolling world premiere of End Days was partially funded by the National New Play Network’s Continued Life of New Plays Fund. Development of End Days was supported by the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center during a residency at the National Playwrights Conference of 2007.

End Days will be performed in the Frank & Katrina Basile Theatre Thursdays at 7 p.m., Fridays-Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $25, or $15 for those ages 24 and under. During CheapSeats week, Jan. 3-6, all tickets are just $15. To purchase tickets, call the theater, 749 N. Park Ave., at 317-635-PLAY or go to www.phoenixtheatre.org.