Big Bad Wolf Huffs and Puffs But Can't Blow Houses Down.

Business Editors, Education and Health & Medical Writers

WASHINGTON, D.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 1, 2001

AMERIGROUP-Sponsored Live Anti-Tobacco Theatre Production Tours

Washington-Baltimore Area Grade Schools

The Big Bad Wolf has found out how bad smoking is for his health and so will 6,000 Washington-Baltimore area school children when AMERIGROUP Maryland, Inc. presents the National Theatre for Children's performance of "2 Smart 2 Smoke."

"2 Smart 2 Smoke" is a live, theatrical performance that uses entertainment and interactivity to educate children about the health and social risks of smoking.

During 2000-2001, nearly 450 performances will occur in 170 elementary schools in Chicago, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Maryland, New Jersey and the District of Columbia and will be viewed by more than 50,000 students. The program was co-developed by the National Theatre for Children and the School of Public Health at the University of Minnesota.

"AMERIGROUP believes education is one of the best ways to inspire good preventive health measures, and that a message about the harmful affects of smoking is the kind of sound preventive health education that should be delivered to very young audiences," said Jane Thompson, COO of AMERIGROUP Maryland, Inc.

According to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, 1,000 D.C. children start smoking each year. If current trends continue, 4,000 D.C. kids will die from tobacco-related illnesses.

"We believe that `2 Smart 2 Smoke' delivers the message that will help make the difference in a child's decision about whether or not to start smoking. Studies have proven that the impact of this show translates to fewer children taking the first puff. This leads to a healthier tomorrow for America's youth," said Thompson.

For students in grades kindergarten through third, the Three Little Pigs come to blows with a Big Bad Wolf who can't huff and puff and blow their houses down because smoking has damaged his lungs. The second performance takes students in grades fourth through sixth to a distant planet where super hero Eerf Ekoms (smoke free spelled backward) helps to make children realize that smoking is not cool and could have poor health affects in the future.

To complement the live-theatre production, students and teachers are provided with classroom workbooks, teacher guides and Playworks Online, which enables teachers to access additional classroom education activities on the Internet.

In addition to "2 Smart 2 Smoke," the company is also sponsoring "The Prince of the Pyramid" throughout the Washington-Baltimore area this spring. "The Prince of the Pyramid" uses interactive entertainment to educate children about the benefits of proper nutrition and exercise.

By working to make a difference in the lives of the communities it serves, AMERIGROUP has become one of America's leading health care coverage companies dedicated to helping lower-income families and persons with disabilities build healthy tomorrows. The company operates health plans in four states and the District of Columbia and serves more than 330,000 Members, of which approximately 75 percent are children. Visit www.amerigroupcorp.com for more information.

NOTE TO EDITORS: If you are interested in attending one of the performances, please contact Adam Birnbaum at 757-473-2737 x2811.