The Theatre School Showcase, DePaul University, presents A BRIGHT ROOM CALLED DAY by Tony Kushner as the third production of the 1996-97 season. The play is directed by JOHN JENKINS and runs February 6 - 16, 1997 (previews 2/4 & 2/5), at DePaul University's Merle Reskin Theatre, 60 E. Balbo Drive, Chicago. For tickets call the Box Office at (312) 922-1999.

In this contemporary drama, Pulitzer prize-winning playwright Tony Kushner explores the turbulence of 1930s Berlin, a turning point in the rise of the Third Reich. A group of left-wing artists struggle to make a difference in a society where living a meaningful, normal life has become impossible.

Beautifully theatrical and frankly political, the play makes a strong argument for political activism.

"The story describes the failure of a group of committed artists to hold together and to beat back the forces of oppression," director John Jenkins says. "It is politically interesting, socially critical theatre. We don't often see that anymore."

Playwright Tony Kushner is recognized as one of the most important playwrights of this generation. He received the 1993 Pulitzer Prize and the 1993 and 1994 Tony and Drama Desk awards, among many others, for his play Angels in America, Part I: Millenium Approaches and Part II: Perestroika. He is the recipient of a 1990 Whiting Foundation Writers Award and playwriting and directing fellowships from the New York Foundation for the Arts, the New York State Council and the National Endowment for the Arts. Other plays include The Illusion, adapted from the play by Pierre Corneille, The Protozoa Revue, In Great Eliza's Golden Time and Yes Yes No No: The Solace-of-Solstice, Apogee/Perigee, Bestial/Celestial Holiday Show. His work has been produced at theatres around the United States, at the Royal National Theatre in London, the Abbey Theatre in Dublin, the Deutsches Theatre in Berlin and in more than 30 other countries around the world.

Director John Jenkins is an Associate Professor of Acting and Movement at The Theatre School. He directed Landscape of the Body, The Bourgeois Gentleman, The School for Scandal, co-directed The Threepenny Opera, adapted and directed The Doctor in Spite of Himself, translated and directed Woyzeck, and served as the movement director of Strider for The Theatre School. He also co-directed An Evening of Fine Music and Spontaneous Movement or One, Two, You Know What to Do!, an experimental movement piece originally performed at The Theatre School and remounted under the title JAZZMO at Cotton Chicago. Mr. Jenkins co-founded the AnyPlace Theater in Minneapolis and worked as an actor, director and teacher with the Children's Theater Company, also in Minneapolis. He acted in Endgame and Waiting for Godot for the San Quentin Drama Workshop, both directed by Samuel Beckett. He has performed and directed in England, Germany, Switzerland and Australia. His film work includes Patti Rocks, in which he worked as co-writer and co-star.

Scenic Designer ERIN KEHR is an advanced student in The Theatre School's Scenic Design Program. His recent credits include Bent for The Theatre School's New Directors Series at Victory Gardens Theater and Godspell for Sandstone Productions in Pasadena, Calif. Costume Designer JEANNE CWIKLIK is an advanced student in the school's Costume Design Program. Her Theatre School credits include costume design for the Showcase production of Sisterly Feelings and assistant costume designer for Our Country's Good, The Women, The Trojan Women and The Time of Your Life. Lighting Designer KEITH PARHAM is an advanced student in the Lighting Design Program. Sound Designer JEFFREY WEBB is the Resident Sound Designer and Technical Director at DePaul's Merle Reskin Theatre. He teaches Introduction to Sound Design at The Theatre School.

Performances of A BRIGHT ROOM CALLED DAY are February 6 - 16, 1997 (previews 2/4 & 2/5). The performance schedule is as follows: Tuesday, February 4 through Saturday, February 8 and Wednesday, February 12 through Saturday, February 15 at 7:30 p.m., and Sundays, February 9 and 16 at 2 p.m. A student/senior matinee will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, February 13. Wednesday, February 12 is DePaul Night: two tickets for the price of one for current high school and college students with I.D. The morning matinee and evening performances on Thursday, February 13 feature a post-show discussion. SPECIAL EVENT: A Pre-show Talk with director John Jenkins will take place on Sunday, February 9 from 1 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. at the Merle Reskin Theatre. Admission is free. For details, call the Box Office at (312) 922-1999.

Tickets prices are $5 - $10. Student, senior and group rates are available. Performances are held at the DePaul University Merle Reskin Theatre, 60 E. Balbo Drive, Chicago. Discount parking is available with coupons available from the Box Office. Dinner/theatre packages are available with the Chicago Hilton and Towers. For tickets, call the Box Office at (312) 922-1999.

The Theatre School, DePaul University, was founded as the Goodman School of Drama in 1925 and is a member of the League of Chicago Theatres, the Illinois Arts Alliance, the League of Historic American Theatres and the Illinois Alliance for Arts Education.