Chicago Playworks for Families and Young Audiences presents TUCK EVERLASTING, adapted from Natalie Babbitt's celebrated novel by Mark Frattaroli, April 1 - May 24, 1997, at the DePaul University Merle Reskin Theatre, 60 E. Balbo Drive, Chicago. The play is directed by Ric Murphy with scenic design by Miladel C Pamatmat, costume design by Mary Ellen Park, lighting design by John P. Marovich and sound design by Jason Myers. To purchase tickets, call the theatre Box Office at (312) 922-1999.

Tuck Everlasting seeks to restore our sense of wonder about life. Centuries ago, the immortal Tuck family stumbled upon a secret spring of eternal life. When 10-year-old Winnie Foster discovers it, they must convince her not to drink, explaining that living forever is a mixed blessing. Meanwhile, Winnie is not alone; she is followed by a stranger who wants to sell the spring water for a fortune and expose the Tuck's secret.

The story emphasizes the great magic in small things and gives audiences a chance to think about what immortality can mean. "The world is endlessly creating itself, moment by moment and day by day," says director Ric Murphy. "By confronting a family that is removed from the natural world, the young heroine comes to see herself as a part of this wondrous and magical process we call life. It is Winnie's rite of passage into adulthood."

Author NATALIE BABBITT is an award-winning children's book author and illustrator. She received the Christopher Award for Juvenile Fiction for Tuck Everlasting when it was first published in 1975. The book was also named an American Library Association Notable Book and a U.S. Honor Book, and has been listed on the International Reading Association choices list, among many other awards. Ms. Babbitt's numerous other works include Dick Foote and the Shark, The Search for Delicious, The Something and The Eyes of the Amaryllis.

Director RIC MURPHY is a Professor of Acting at The Theatre School, where he has directed Antigone, Beautiful City, The Royal Family and A Flea in Her Ear for The Theatre School Showcase and This is Not a Pipe Dream and The Moon is Made of Cardboard for Chicago Playworks. Mr. Murphy's acting credits include work with the Oregon Shakespearean Festival and the ACT in Seattle. Directorial credits include Oedipus, Hamlet, Marat/Sade, Royal Hunt of the Sun, Six Characters in Search of an Author, The Hostage and King Lear with Morris Carnovsky. He was co-director of a new play workshop at West Virginia University's Creative Arts Center and has directed readings of new work at the Goodman Theatre, including Shmelke's Comet by Ron Mark. He directed Xenogenesis by Stephen Serpas at Eclipse Theatre Company, which received Joseph Jefferson Awards for Best Ensemble and Best Sound Design, and Dogstar, also by Mr. Serpas, which received wide recognition and a Jeff Award for Best Sound Design. Mr. Murphy is a director for the male ensemble called The Dogs.

Scenic Designer MILADEL C PAMATMAT is an advanced student in the Scenic Design Program of The Theatre School, where she designed sets for Our Country's Good and Charlotte's Web.

Costume Designer MARY ELLEN PARK is a student in the M.F.A. Costume Design Program of The Theatre School. Her previous credits include costume design for three New York City premieres: Christmas Twist and Blue Skies Forever at Village Theatre Company and Wasted Youth at SoHo Repertory Theatre.

Lighting Designer JOHN P. MAROVICH is an advanced student in the Lighting Design Program of The Theatre School, where he designed lights for the New Directors Series production of Bent at Victory Gardens Theater. His professional credits include technical work with Chicago Opera Theatre, Nickelodeon and Paramount.

JASON MYERS is an advanced student in the Theatre Technology Program of The Theatre School. He designed sound for last season's Theatre School Showcase production of The Sea Gull and recently assisted in teaching Technical Theatre at the University of Chicago Laboratory High School. He is a freelance technician in Chicago.

Performances of Tuck Everlasting are Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m., April 1 - May 24, 1997. PLEASE NOTE: There will be no performances on Saturdays, April 5, May 3 and 10, and Thursdays, April 24 and May 22. 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.

Tuck Everlasting is recommended for age 8 and up. Tickets are $5.00; $2.00 for children 18 months and younger. Season subscriptions are available. Group rates are available for groups of 8 or more. Dinner/Theatre packages at the Chicago Hilton and Towers are also available. To purchase tickets and for more information, call the Box Office at (312) 922-1999.

SPECIAL EVENTS: An Ice-Cream Social and post-show discussion with the cast is scheduled for Saturday, April 19. Tickets for the Ice-Cream Social are $2.50 and are available by calling the Box Office at (312) 922-1999. VISA/MasterCard and Discover/NOVUS accepted. The cast will also appear at Barnes & Noble Bookstore at Old Orchard on Saturday, May 10 at 1 p.m. Free tickets to Tuck Everlasting will be given away at the event.

Roy Leonard's November 1996 Going Out Guide says: "If you have just one chance to see theatre for young audiences this season, see a play at Chicago Playworks." Founded as the Goodman Children's Theatre in 1925, Chicago Playworks is the city's oldest continuously operating children's theatre. Its productions have been the first theatre experience for generations of Chicago's young people. In 1980, Chicago Playworks was awarded the prestigious Sara Spencer Award by the Children's Theatre Association of America (now the American Association for Theatre and Education) for its long-term contribution to children's theatre in this country. More than 35,000 young people attend productions at DePaul's Merle Reskin Theatre each year. David L. Avcollie, a Professor of Acting and head of the Acting Program at The Theatre School, is Artistic Director of Chicago Playworks.

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