Ricky Jay, Jackie Hoffman headed to the Royal George Theatre

Ricky Jay, the actor, magician and all-round raconteur, is bringing his new solo show to the Royal George Theatre in what might turn out to be another pre-Broadway tryout for Chicago this fall.

Entitled "Ricky Jay: A Rogue's Gallery," the new Jay theater piece is currently on sale for Dec. 1-2 at the Royal George Theatre. Assuming Jay sells some tickets, the show is likely to extend for at least the rest of that week. As with past Jay shows, David Mamet is credited as Jay's director. Although, in this case, he is listed as "Director of Prison Operations."

"This new show is far more personal and more improvisational than anything I have done before," Jay said by phone from Los Angeles.

In essence, Jay said, audiences will be presented with a "rogue's gallery" of visual images from Jay's diverse performance career. The show will then move in the direction of whatever images are selected. "It all plays off my interest in deception," Jay said.

Jay has been quietly previewing this show in small, one-night engagements, but Chicago will be the official premiere. He's then slated to take the show to the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles and then, perhaps, Broadway. Jay last performed a new show in Chicago at the Steppenwolf Theatre in 1995, when the card-sharp memorably introduced the town to his "52 assistants."

Meanwhile, Jackie Hoffman has booked herself into the Royal George cabaret space. Hoffman, a Second City veteran and bonafide Broadway name, will be in town to perform the role of Grandma in the pre-Broadway tryout of "The Addams Family."

On Monday nights, Hoffman won't take the customary rest, but will perform a new, custom-designed show entitled "Whining in the Windy City: Holiday Edition." The show will open Nov. 30 and play Mondays through Dec. 21.