Chicago Playworks for Families and Young Audiences announces its production of Frances Hodgson Burnett's THE SECRET GARDEN, adapted by Pamela Sterling, January 13 - March 14, 1998, at DePaul University's Merle Reskin Theatre, 60 E. Balbo Drive, Chicago. The play is directed by Donald W. Ilko with scenic design by Ivan Giovanettina, costume design by Nicole Evangelista, lighting design by Nikolette Frankhauser and sound design by Jeffrey Webb. To purchase tickets, call the Box Office at (312) 922-1999.

Set in 1911, this classic story based on the beloved children's novel follows 10-year-old Mary Lennox as she moves from India to England to live with her uncle at Misselthwaite Manor. Life in her new home is very different, and Mary has trouble adjusting, living up to her reputation as "Mistress Mary, quite contrary." As she searches for something to fill her days, a sweet robin shows her to key to a secret garden that changes her life. "The characters in the play tend the garden back to life, and in the process they realize how love, friendship and compassion have to be nurtured in the same way a garden must be," director Donald W. Ilko says. "They begin to understand the mystery of life -- and how much life is in them."

Chicago Playworks was founded as the Goodman Children's Theatre in 1925. In September 1997, Chicago Playworks was honored by the Illinois Theatre Association with the Children's Theatre Award, for outstanding contribution to children's theatre over its 72-year history. As the city's oldest continuously operating children's theatre, its productions have been the first theatre experience for generations of Chicago's young people.

Performances of The Secret Garden are Tuesday and Thursday at 10 a.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m., January 13 - March 14, 1998. PLEASE NOTE: There will be no performances on Saturday, February 21 and Thursday, March 12.

Performances are held at DePaul University's Merle Reskin Theatre, 60 E. Balbo Drive, Chicago. Discount parking is available with coupons from the Box Office.

Ticket prices are $6; $2 for children 18 months and younger. Group rates are available for 15 or more people. Seniors (over 60), Corporate Partners, DePaul employees and alumni, and college students receive a discount on regular prices. Seating is general admission. To purchase tickets, call the Box Office at (312) 922-1999.

Dinner Packages at the Chicago Hilton and Towers Pavilion Restaurant are available through the Box Office: $17.50 for adults; $9.75 for children age 12 and younger.

SPECIAL EVENT: An Ice Cream Social and post-show discussion with the cast follows the performance on Saturday, January 31, at the Chicago Hilton and Towers. Tickets to this event are $2.50 and are available through the Box Office.

Director DONALD W. ILKO is an Associate Professor of Acting at The Theatre School. At the school he directed The Sleeping Beauty and Our Town for Chicago Playworks and The Three Sisters, Holiday, Separate Tables and others for The Theatre School Showcase. Dr. Ilko received his Ph.D. from Case Western Reserve University and completed the Advanced Actor Training Program at the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco. Prior to joining the faculty of The Theatre School, he taught and acted at the College of the Holy Cross in Massachusetts. He has performed with Utah Shakespeare Festival, Portland (Ore.) Conservatory Theatre, a number of theatre companies in New England and New York, and in Chicago at the Illinois Theatre Center and Court Theatre. His Chicago directing credits include The Master Builder at Court Theatre, The Woolgatherer at Stage Left Theatre Company and Don Juan in Hell at Talisman Theatre.

Scenic Designer IVAN GIOVANETTINA is an advanced student in the school's M.F.A. Scenic Design Program. He most recently designed scenery for The Theatre School Showcase production of Six Characters in Search of an Author. Costume Designer NICOLE EVANGELISTA is an advanced student in the Costume Design Program whose recent credits include Bent for the school's New Directors Series at Victory Gardens Studio. Lighting Designer NIKOLETTE FRANKHAUSER, an advanced student in the Lighting Design Program, designed lighting for Insignificance and The Clearing last season. Sound Designer JEFFREY WEBB is Resident Sound Designer and Director of Technical Operations at DePaul's Merle Reskin Theatre.

Founded as the Goodman School of Drama in 1925, The Theatre School is the premiere theatre conservatory in the Midwest and one of the best in the United States. Throughout its history, the school has provided Chicago audiences with first-rate affordable entertainment. Plays are directed by the faculty of the school and performed and designed by students in the professional training program. Further information about The Secret Garden and The Theatre School is available via the Internet on The Theatre School's Website, located at http://theatreschool.depaul.edu .

The Theatre School is a member of ASSITTEJ/USA, the American Arts Alliance for Theatre and Education, the Illinois Alliance for Arts Education, the League of Chicago Theatres and the Illinois Arts Alliance.