ELGIN — Would you live forever, if you could?

That is the question facing young Winnie Foster in “Tuck Everlasting,” which opens Saturday, Nov. 20, at the Elgin Opera House, 104 N. Eighth St.

The musical is based on the 1975 novel by Natalie Babbitt.

“It’s going to be a lovely, lovely show,” said Director Terry Hale. “The music is phenomenal — it’s beautifully written.”

Performances will be at 12:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 20. After that — including Thanksgiving weekend — shows will be at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and 12:30 and 4:30 p.m. on Saturdays through Dec. 11. Tickets are $18 for the orchestra level and lower balcony, and $8 for the upper balcony. Purchase tickets at www.elginoperahouse.com or by calling 541-663-6324.

The show opens with the Tuck family, who all drink from a spring in the woods. When they don’t age or die, they realize the water made them immortal.

Decades later, a girl named Winnie wanders into the same woods.

“She runs into Jesse Tuck just before she drinks from the spring,” Hale said.

The Tuck family members don’t agree on whether Winnie should drink the magic water or not. Jesse urges her to drink the water when she’s 17, the same age as him.

“So he doesn’t have to be alone,” Hale said. “But we don’t know until the end whether she drinks or not.”

Hale describes the show as “sad, but in a heartwarming way.”

“It still gets me every time,” he said. “There’s something about this show, where we are, that makes it special.”

But it’s not all about the tissues.

“It’s a lot of fun, a lot of humor,” Hale said.

He’s wanted to do “Tuck Everlasting” for several years, but it never worked out — until now.

“The cast just lined up,” he said. “My actors are so incredible. Each one has captured the essence of their character. Each one of them is so very good. It’s magic watching them on stage together.”

The cast includes Fern McConnell, Liam Bloodgood, Hunter Adams, Russ Buckley, Karen Taylor, Danny Bailey, Wes Rampton, Grant Deem, April Van Tassel and Misty Hines.

The set is designed by scenic artists Jon Hanley and Beth Wasley.

“The set is going to be stunning,” Hale said. “Art from floor to ceiling.”

‘Tuck Everlasting’ at the Elgin Opera House

Nov. 20: 12:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m.

Nov. 26: 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 27: 12:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m.

Dec. 3: 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 4: 12:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m.

Dec. 10: 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 11: 12:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m.

Tickets: $8-$18

www.elginoperahouse.com

“My actors are incredible. Each one has captured the essence of their character. Each one of them is so very good.”

— Terry Hale, director of “Tuck Everlasting”