CHICAGO — The Theatre School at DePaul University will present “The Phantom Tollbooth” by Susan Nanus, based on the book by Norton Juster, and directed by special guest David Catlin (founding ensemble member, Lookingglass Theatre Company) as the first production of the 2014-2015 Chicago Playworks for Families and Young Audiences season. This production opens Oct. 7 and runs through Nov. 15 at DePaul’s historic Merle Reskin Theatre. Performances are Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m., and Saturdays at 2 p.m. Friday performances at 10 a.m. will be held on Oct. 17 and Nov. 7. A special Sunday performance at 2 p.m. will be held on Oct. 26. There will be no Saturday performance on Oct. 25.

The story is about Milo, who is bored in his bedroom until a magical tollbooth appears and transports him to the Kingdom of Wisdom. There he discovers the magic of words and numbers, travels to strange lands like Dictionopolis and Digitopolis, and meets a Mathemagician, Spelling Bee and other curious friends. Will they be able to save Princess Rhyme and Princess Reason if they work together? Based on the beloved book, this whimsical fairy tale proves that imagination and knowledge can change the world!

This production is recommended for ages 7 and older. Educational themes include: discovery, fables, idioms, metaphor and wordplay, imagination, literary adaptation, mathematics, numbers and patterns, perseverance, personification and teamwork. For more information about pre-show and post-show educational activities and highlighted curriculum connections, please visit theatre.depaul.edu to download the free teacher guide. Teacher guides are also available by calling the box office at 312-922-1999.

The performances on Oct. 23 at 10 a.m. and Oct. 26 at 2 p.m. will be interpreted in American Sign Language. Call TTY at 773-325-7975.

Oct. 11 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.

Join the cast for a post-performance autograph session on Oct. 11. The performances on Oct. 30 and Nov. 8 will be followed by a post-show discussion. Visit the website or call the box office for additional details.

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 Taylor Blim (Rhyme and Others), Briget Diehl (Dr. Kakofonous Dischord and Others), Erinn Fredin (Milo), Jason Goff (Mathemagician and Others), Sam Haines (Demon of Insincerity and Others), Sam Krey (Terrible Trivium and Others), Maya Malan-Gonzalez (Spelling Bee/Everpresent Word Snatcher and Others), Shadana Patterson (Clock/Gatekeeper and Others), Brian Rife (Tock), Awate Serequeberhan (Azaz and Others), Zivon Toplin (Senses Taker and Others), Vahishta Vafadari (Reason and Others), Peter Varga (Whether Man/Dynne and Others) and Dominique Watkins (Humbug).

The production staff includes David Catlin (director), Jacob Ives (scenic design), Catharine Young (costume design), Lindsay Rosenfeld (lighting design), Sebastian Woldt (sound design), James Garrastegui (dramaturgy), and Jackson Walsh (stage management).

The Theatre School at DePaul University educates, trains, and inspires students of theatre in a conservatory setting that is rigorous, disciplined, and culturally diverse. The school and its students strive for the highest level of professional skill and artistry. A commitment to diversity and equality in education is central to its mission. As an integral part of the training, The Theatre School produces public programs and performances from a wide repertoire of classic, contemporary, and original plays that challenge, entertain, and stimulate the imagination. The school seeks to enhance the intellectual and cultural life of the university community, the city, and the profession.

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