The Theatre School Showcase, DePaul University, opens its 1999-2000 season with THE BEAUX STRATAGEM, by George Farquhar, November 5 - 14, 1999 (previews 11/3 & 11/4) at DePaul's Merle Reskin Theatre, 60 E. Balbo Drive, Chicago. The play is directed by Michael Maggio — his first production since becoming dean of The Theatre School — and features scenic design by Kurt Boetcher, costume design by Romana Hobeck, lighting design by Kat Haun and sound design by Cecil Averett. To purchase tickets, call the Box Office at (312) 922-1999.

Archer and Aimwell, two young rouges desperately low on money, leave London in search of an heiress for Aimwell to marry. Their stratagem leads them on a madcap adventure filled with saucy maidens, hapless seductions, dastardly plots and thrilling swordplay. First performed in 1707, this naughty Restoration comedy delights those who enjoy an intriguing frolic in the country.

"Farquhar was creating a new kind of comedy with this play — a bridge between the cynical city plays of the Restoration and the sentimental comedies of the later 18th century — and he seemed to ground the story in his own life experiences," says Maggio. "The result is marvelous, a diverse collection of characters and a plot full of scheming and romance."

The Beaux Stratagem runs November 5 - 14, 1999 (previews 11/3 & 11/4). Performances are Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. A morning matinee is scheduled on Thursday, November 11 at 10 a.m. The morning matinee and the evening performance on Thursday, November 11 feature post-show discussions. Performances are held at DePaul University's Merle Reskin Theatre, 60 E. Balbo Drive, Chicago.

Tickets are $8 - $12; $6 for college students with I.D. Discounts are available for seniors, Corporate Partners, and DePaul employees and alumni. Group rates are available for 15 or more people. The performance on Wednesday, November 10 is DePaul Night: tickets are $3 for current high school and college students with I.D.

INTERPRETED PERFORMANCE: The performance on Friday, November 12 at 7:30 p.m. will be interpreted in American Sign Language by Sign On Stage. For information, call the Box Office or TTY: (773) 325-7975.

DINNER OFFER: The Theatre School has partnered with the Hilton Chicago and Towers to present a special dinner offer at The Pavilion Restaurant, located on the lobby level of the hotel across the street from the theatre. Dinners are $21.00 for adults or $12.00 for children 12 and under and may be purchased through the Box Office.

Discount lot parking is available with coupons from the Box Office. Discounted valet parking is available when you present your theatre ticket at the Balbo Drive entrance to the Hilton Chicago and Towers and at the Blackstone Hotel entrance, 636 S. Michigan Ave.

Playwright GEORGE FARQUHAR (1677-1707) was an Irish dramatist renowned for writing excellent Restoration comedy. His plays tend to display the urbanity and satirical wit typical of the era, but brighten the stage with an atmosphere of good humor and reality. Farquhar's first play, Love and a Bottle (1698), was quite successful. He is also acclaimed for writing The Constant Couple (1699) and The Recruiting Officer (1706).

Director MICHAEL MAGGIO became dean of The Theatre School in July. He is also Associate Artistic Director of the Goodman Theatre and a professional director with more than 20 years experience. In addition to his numerous productions for the Goodman, he has directed at many of the most prestigious companies in the country, including the Guthrie Theatre, McCarter Theatre, New York Shakespeare Festival and Seattle Repertory Theatre. He received an Obie Award for his direction of the musical Wings at the Public Theatre in New York and is a three-time winner of the Joseph Jefferson Award for his direction of the musicals A Little Night Music and Wings and the world premiere of Black Snow. His most recent projects include Waiting for Godot at the Goodman and Frank Galati's Tony Award-winning adaptation of The Grapes of Wrath at The Theatre School.

Scenic Designer KURT BOETCHER is an advanced student in the B.F.A. Scenic Design Program at The Theatre School. He designed the set for Steal Away Home at The Theatre School last season. Costume Designer ROMANA HOBECK is an advanced student in the M.F.A. Costume Design Program. She recently received her Bachelor of Music degree from San Francisco State University. She designed costumes for The Theatre School productions Sleep Deprivation Chamber and A View From the Bridge. Lighting Designer KAT HAUN is an advanced student in the B.F.A. Lighting Design Program. At The Theatre School, she worked as Assistant Lighting Designer for both Threadheads and The Grapes of Wrath, and designed last season’s New Directors Series production of A View from the Bridge.

Sound Designer CECIL AVERETT is a recent transplant from Arena Stage Theatre in Washington, D.C., where he made his regional theatre debut in 1996. Since moving to Chicago in August 1998, his credits include The Waiting Room and Julius Caesar for Stage Left Theater, Henry IV: Parts I and II and Macbeth for Chicago Shakespeare Theatre and several productions at Northwestern University, among others. He has been assistant designer for Oo Bla Dee at the Goodman Theatre, American Girl Revue at American Girl Place and The Hauntings at Navy Pier.

Further information about The Beaux Stratagem and The Theatre School is available via the Internet on The Theatre School's website, located at http://theatreschool.depaul.edu. Purchase tickets to The Beaux Stratagem via the Internet at TicketWeb: www.ticketweb.com

Subscriptions to all six plays in The Theatre School Showcase 1999-2000 season are available for sale through November 14. Subscriptions are $48 - $60. A special FlexPass subscription is also available. Each FlexPass is $40 and is good for four tickets to use as you choose throughout the season. For more information and to purchase subscriptions, call the Box Office at (312) 922-1999.

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