CHICAGO — The Theatre School at DePaul University will present “Jackie & Me,” by Steven Dietz, adapted from the novel by Dan Gutman, and directed by John Jenkins, as the final production of the 2013-2014 Chicago Playworks for Families and Young Audiences season. This production opens April 8 and runs through May 10 at DePaul’s historic Merle Reskin Theatre. Performances are Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m. and Saturdays at 2 p.m. Friday performances will be held on May 2 and May 9 at 10 a.m. A special Sunday performance at 2 p.m. will be held on May 4. There will be no Saturday performance on May 3. 

Joey Stoshack has a talent that many kids dream of: the ability to travel through time. When Joey is assigned to write a report on an African American role model, he uses his powers to travel back to 1947 and meet Jackie Robinson, one of the greatest baseball players of all time. Through their adventures, Joey learns about real courage and what it feels like to walk in someone else’s shoes.

This production is recommended for ages 8 and older. Educational themes include: baseball, courage, facing prejudice, family, history, thinking of others and overcoming adversity. For more information about pre-show and post-show educational activities and highlighted curriculum connections, please visit theatre.depaul.edu to download our free teacher guide. You can also request a teacher guide by calling the box office.

For patrons who are blind or have low vision, the performance will be audio described on Saturday, April 19 at 2 p.m. with a pre-performance touch tour. Call 312-922-1999. The performances on May 2 at 10 a.m. and May 4 at 2 p.m. will be interpreted in American Sign Language. Call TTY: 773-325-7975. April 12 at 2 p.m. is USO of Illinois Day. U.S. Armed Forces personnel and their families, with a valid military ID, can attend the performance for free. Visit www.tixfortroops.org to reserve tickets, or call 312-922-1999 for more information. In addition, a wide range of events will be held in conjunction with this production including community partner days, an ice cream social, opening day autographs, post show discussions and more. For details visit the website or call the box office.  

Tickets are $10. Subscriptions and group rates (15 or more people) are available. DePaul employees, alumni and college students receive a discount (with ID). Tickets are available online or by calling the box office at 312-922-1999.

DePaul’s Merle Reskin Theatre is located at 60 E. Balbo Drive at Michigan Avenue in Chicago. For information about parking, please contact the box office. The theatre is accessible via CTA busses (3-King Drive, 29-State Street, 146-Michigan/Museums and others) and CTA ‘L’ stops (Red, Blue, Brown, Green, Orange, Purple and Pink).

The cast features Chris Ash (Flip/Leo Durocher & Others), George Booker (Dad/Dixie Walker & Others), Pauline Critch-Gilfillan (Mom/Mrs. Herskowitz & Others), Noah Laufer (Bobby Fuller/Ant & Others), Kiandra Layne (Ms. Levitt/Rachel Robinson), Steven Burruano (Branch Rickey/Coach & Others), Rejinal Simon (Jackie Robinson), and Wesley Toledo (Joey Stoshack).

The production staff includes John Jenkins (Director), Jack Magaw (Scenic Design), Stephanie Tomey (Costume Design), Bailey L. Rosa (Lighting Design), Matthew Reich (Sound Design), Matthew T. Messina (Dramaturgy) and Jean E. Compton (Stage Management).

Jenkins (Director) is a member of the tenured faculty of The Theatre School since 1984 and is an associate professor of acting and movement. He has directed over 20 productions for the school including “Woyzeck,” “The Three Penny Opera,” “The School for Scandal,” “Six Degrees of Separation,” “The Glass Menagerie,” “Jungalbook,” “The Wrestling Season,” “Rooms,” “Still Life With Iris,” “The Secret Garden,” the world premiere of “The Death of Gaia Divine” by Theatre School alumnus Jacob C. Shuler, and most recently, “Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy.” In his early career Jenkins performed and directed professionally in England, Germany, Switzerland and Australia, as well as throughout the United States. As a member of the San Quentin Drama Workshop, he worked with Samuel Beckett as an actor in Mr. Beckett's direction of “Waiting for Godot” and “Endgame” and served as movement advisor for Mr. Beckett's production of “Krapp's Last Tape.” In Minneapolis, he worked for eight years as an actor, director and teacher for the Children's Theatre Company. Jenkins’ film credits include a starring role in the independent feature film “Patti Rocks,” which he co-wrote. More recently Jenkins performed in the premiere production of “Harmless” by Brett Neveu at TimeLine Theatre Company. He is a qualified teacher of the Alexander Technique.

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