Limelight Performing Arts will transport audiences to the world of “Tuck Everlasting” from Sept. 20-29 at its black box Artspace Theatre in Gilbert.

Performed by a cast of 19 youth and young adults, the production offers an exploration of life’s most profound questions, wrapped in a heartwarming story of family, friendship and the passage of time.

With its cast, period costumes and immersive set design, the show hopes to deliver an unforgettable theatrical experience.

Based on the novel by Natalie Babbitt, “Tuck Everlasting” tells the story of 11-year-old Winnie Foster, who stumbles upon the Tuck family and discovers their incredible secret: they have stopped aging after drinking from a magical spring.

As Winnie becomes entwined with the Tucks, she is faced with an impossible choice —whether to join them in living forever or to embrace the natural course of life. The show is teeming with moments and messages about what it means to be truly alive.

“‘Tuck Everlasting’ raises a question we’ve all asked ourselves: If given the chance, would you choose to live forever?" said Emma England, Limelight’s artistic director. "It sparks a great conversation and invites people to reflect on their own values. Our cast has really dug deep into the emotional heart of this story. They understand the gravity of the Tucks' situation and Winnie's difficult decision, and they convey that with such depth and maturity."

In addition to performances from the cast, the show's production elements also transport audiences to another time and place. The score in particular helps to shape the emotional journey of “Tuck Everlasting.”

"The music in this show is truly special,” England. “It’s a blend of folksy, period-inspired pieces with contemporary musical theater elements that underscore the show's themes. Our performers have worked incredibly hard on perfecting each note and every harmony, and their hard work comes through beautifully.”

The set design and costumes also add to the production. Set in the late 1800s, the period costumes evoke a sense of nostalgia and otherworldliness, while the set transports audiences to the lush, serene forest where the Tucks have lived in secret for decades.

According to England, “The set for ‘Tuck Everlasting’ is really something special. We’ve created beautiful, lush trees using materials donated by the Art Resource Center in Tempe— things like wrapping paper and fabric bolt tubes that we’ve turned into a canopy of leaves. It’s a creative, immersive design that enhances the story while allowing the audience to feel like they’re right there in the forest with the Tucks.”

 “Tuck Everlasting” continues Limelight Performing Arts' youth theater tradition by showcasing some of the young talent in the East Valley. England said she is especially proud of how Limelight fosters young performers’ growth and confidence.

"Our mission is to help these kids grow, not just as performers but as individuals," she said. "The lessons they learn on stage — about teamwork, perseverance, and self-expression — are invaluable life skills."

Gilbert cast members include Liam Delgado, 21, as Angus Tuck; Maddie Gloyd, 14, as Ensemble; Brendan Lucas, 13, as Hugo; Dominic Montufar, 8, as Thomas; Gabriela Montufar, 10, as Winnie Foster; Abbi Spector, 15, as Man in the Yellow Suit; and Kaitlyn Woodward, 18, as Mae Tuck.

Tickets for “Tuck Everlasting” are $18 and can be purchased at ll-pa.org/tickets. Group discounts are also available. More information is available by visiting Limelight's Facebook and Instagram pages.

“By the end of the show, most people feel that Winnie has made the right choice, and that makes her a hero in a very relatable way,” England said. “It’s an incredibly moving story that will leave audiences thinking long after the curtain falls.”