DePaul University Presents THE DAY JOHN HENRY CAME TO SCHOOL, Now thru 5/16

The Theatre School at DePaul University will present The Day John Henry Came to School by Eric Pfeffinger, directed by Ernie Nolan, as the final production of the 2014-2015 Chicago Playworks for Families and Young Audiences season. This production opens today, April 7, 2015 and runs through May 16, 2015, at DePaul's historic Merle Reskin Theatre. Performances are Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 AM, and Saturdays 2 PM. Special Friday performances (10 AM) will occur on April 24 and May 1. A Sunday performance will be held on April 12 (2 PM).

John Henry loves technology, but doesn't love doing his homework. If buttons and gadgets are not involved, he's not interested. When his teacher, Mr. Gellert, is replaced by a mega-computer, Johnny couldn't be happier. Then his steel-driving great-great-grandfather arrives for show-and-tell, and Johnny must take on the challenge of his life! This contemporary tale focuses on the value of hard work and the strength of the human spirit.

Recommended for ages 8 and up. Themes include: Ancestry; Confidence; Diligence; Folklore and Tall Tales; Motivation; Technology and Humanity. 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.

The performances on May 1 and 2 will be interpreted in American Sign Language. Call TTY: 773.325.7975. April 18 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 April 18. The performances on April 30 and May 9 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 El stops (Red, Blue, Brown, Green, Orange, Purple and Pink).

The cast features Maddie Baird (Chorus), Trevor Bates (Chorus), Michael Buono (Chorus), Aida Delaz (Chorus), Tyler Esselman (Mr. Gellert), Maya Malan-Gonzales (Jeanie), Denzel Irby (Johnny Henry), Christopher Jones (John Henry), Juwan Lockett (Chorus), Asia Martin (Chorus), and Jessica Maynard (Ms. Huntington).?

The production staff includes Ernie Nolan (Director), Elyse Balogh (Scenic Designer), Meg Burke (Costume Designer), Daniel Friedman (Lighting Designer), Morgan Lake (Sound Designer), Gen Zoufal (Dramaturg), and Mario E. Wolfe (Stage Manager).