Chicago—Due to overwhelming demand, Steppenwolf Theatre Company extends Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye. Public performances will be held at 11:00 a.m. February 19 and 20, 26 and 27, as well as additional public performances on March 5, 2005, at 11:00 a.m., and March 6, 2005, at 11 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. The production takes place in the Steppenwolf Downstairs Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted. All tickets are $10. Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye is a story about the tragic life of a young black girl in 1940's Ohio. Eleven year-old Pecola Breedlove wants nothing more than to be loved by her family and schoolmates. Instead, she faces constant ridicule and abuse. Blaming her dark skin, she prays for blue eyes, sure that love will follow. The cast for The Bluest Eye includes Alana Arenas (Pecola Breedlove), Monifa M. Days (Frieda), Noelle Hardy (Maureen Peal), TaRon Patton (Mama), Libya V. Pugh (Claudia), Chavez Ravine (Mrs. Breedlove), Phillip Edward VanLear (Cholly) and Sati Word (Soaphead Church & Junior). The designers for The Bluest Eye are Stephanie Nelson (set), Alison Heryer (costumes), J.R. Lederle (lights) and Victoria DeIorio (sound). Ann Boyd is the choreographer, Deb Styer is the stage manager and Lenora Inez Brown is the dramaturg. Tickets for the public performances are $10 and can be purchased through Audience Services. Audience Services hours are 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. everyday and 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on days with evening performances. The phone number for Audience Services is (312) 335-1650. Tickets can be ordered online at www.steppenwolf.org.