Alison C. Vesely News

First Folio Theatre, at Mayslake Peabody Estate, 31st St. & Rt. 83, will begin its 2013-2014 season with the poignant, romantic dramaTHE RAINMAKER, previewing July 31, opening Saturday, August 3 at 8:15 p.m. and running through September 1, 2013 on the outdoor stage. The production is directed by Jeff Award nominee and First Folio Theatre Co-Founder, Alison C. Vesely (First Folio's A Moon for the Misbegotten).

First Folio Theatre (Mayslake Peabody Estate, 31st St. & Rt. 83), will present the rollicking World Premiere of SHAKESPEARE'S CYMBELINE: A FOLK TALE WITH MUSIC, previewing tonight, June 19, opening Saturday, June 22 at 8:15 p.m., and running through July 21, 2013.

First Folio Theatre (Mayslake Peabody Estate, 31st St. & Rt. 83), will present the rollicking World Premiere of SHAKESPEARE'S CYMBELINE: A FOLK TALE WITH MUSIC, previewing June 19, opening Saturday, June 22 at 8:15 p.m., and running through July 21, 2013. This wondrous new version of the timeless Shakespearean folk tale has been moved to Civil War Appalachia and includes 10 original songs featuring beautiful bluegrass melodies. SHAKESPEARE'S CYMBELINE: A FOLK TALE WITH MUSIC is adapted by First Folio Theatre's Executive Director and Jeff Award-nominee, David Rice, with Music and Lyrics by Rice and Michael Keefe (First Folio's Resident Composer). Michael Goldberg (The Madness of Edgar Allan Poe, Twelfth Night, Much Ado About Nothing and A Midsummer Night's Dream at First Folio Theatre) directs the "Shakespeare Under the Stars" production, which concludes First Folio Theatre's smash hit 2013 season. It will appear on the outdoor main stage situated on the scenic slopes of the historic Mayslake Peabody Estate.

First Folio Theatre (Mayslake Peabody Estate, 31st St. & Rt. 83), known for bringing stellar performances of Shakespeare and other classics to the Chicagoland stage, announces its 2013-2014 season. The season begins with the poignant dramaTHE RAINMAKER, previewing July 31, opening August 3 and running through September 1, 2013. The whimsical comedy ROUGH CROSSING previews January 30, opens February 1 and runs through March 3, 2014; the world premiere of SALVAGE previews March 26, opens March 29 and runs through April 27, 2014; and Shakespeare's effervescent tale THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR previewsJuly 7, opens July 10, and runs through August 10, 2014.

First Folio Theatre (Mayslake Peabody Estate, 31st St. & Rt. 83) presents the acclaimed play UNDERNEATH THE LINTEL, directed by Jeff Award nominee Alison C. Vesely, previewing tonight, March 27, opening March 30 and running through April 28, 2013.

First Folio Theatre (Mayslake Peabody Estate, 31st St. & Rt. 83) presents the acclaimed play UNDERNEATH THE LINTEL, directed by Jeff Award nominee Alison C. Vesely, previewing March 27, opening March 30 and running through April 28, 2013. The production stars Kristine Thatcher, a member of the 2001 Tony Award-winning Victory Gardens Playwrights Ensemble, where her play Voice of Good Hope premiered and was nominated for the Joseph Jefferson Award for Best New Work in 2000. Thatcher most recently appeared as Terri in Jeffrey Sweet's new play Immoral Imperatives. Prior to that, she appeared in First Folio Theatre's production of Macbeth. Other credits include "Hannah Jarvis" in Tom Stoppard's Arcadia at the Goodman Theatre, "Candida" in George Bernard Shaw's Candida at Writers' Theatre, and "Regan" in King Lear and "Kate" in Taming of the Shrew at Chicago Shakespeare Theater.

First Folio Theatre (Mayslake Peabody Estate, 31st St. & Rt. 83) presents the acclaimed play UNDERNEATH THE LINTEL, directed by Jeff Award nominee Alison C. Vesely, previewing March 27, opening March 30 and running through April 28, 2013. The production stars Kristine Thatcher, a member of the 2001 Tony Award-winning Victory Gardens Playwrights Ensemble, where her play Voice of Good Hope premiered and was nominated for the Joseph Jefferson Award for Best New Work in 2000. Thatcher most recently appeared as Terri in Jeffrey Sweet's new play Immoral Imperatives. Prior to that, she appeared in First Folio Theatre's production of Macbeth. Other credits include "Hannah Jarvis" in Tom Stoppard's Arcadia at the Goodman Theatre, "Candida" in George Bernard Shaw's Candida at Writers' Theatre, and "Regan" in King Lear and "Kate" in Taming of the Shrew at Chicago Shakespeare Theater.

First Folio Theatre (Mayslake Peabody Estate, 31st St. & Rt. 83) presents the witty comedy JEEVES TAKES A BOW, running now through March 3. Directed by Jeff Award nominee Alison C. Vesely (First Folio's A Moon for the Misbegotten), the cast of First Folio's 2009 production Jeeves in Bloom reprise their roles in JEEVES TAKES A BOW, starring Jim McCance as 'Jeeves' and Christian Gray (The Madness of Edgar Allan Poe and Romeo & Juliet at First Folio Theatre, The Glass Menagerie at Oak Park Festival Theatre) as 'Bertie.' Click below to watch opening night interviews with the cast and creative team!

First Folio Theatre (Mayslake Peabody Estate, 31st St. & Rt. 83) presents the witty comedy JEEVES TAKES A BOW, running now through March 3. Tickets are selling quickly and the following performances have been added due to popular demand: Friday, February 22 at 3 p.m.; Saturday, February 23 at 4 p.m.; Sunday, February 24 at 7:30 p.m.; Wednesday, February 27 at 3 p.m.; Saturday, March 2 at 4 p.m.; and Saturday, March 3 at 7:30 p.m.

First Folio Theatre presents the witty comedy JEEVES TAKES A BOW through March 3, 2013. Directed by Jeff Award nominee Alison C. Vesely (First Folio's A Moon for the Misbegotten), the cast of First Folio's 2009 production Jeeves in Bloom reprise their roles in JEEVES TAKES A BOW, starring Jim McCance as 'Jeeves' and Christian Gray (The Madness of Edgar Allan Poe and Romeo & Juliet at First Folio Theatre, The Glass Menagerie at Oak Park Festival Theatre) as 'Bertie.' BroadwayWorld has photos from opening night below!

First Folio Theatre (Mayslake Peabody Estate, 31st St. & Rt. 83) presents the witty comedy JEEVES TAKES A BOW, previewing tonight, January 30; opening Saturday, February 2 at 8 p.m.; and running through March 3. Directed by Jeff Award nominee Alison C. Vesely (First Folio's A Moon for the Misbegotten), the cast of First Folio's 2009 production Jeeves in Bloom will reprise their roles in JEEVES TAKES A BOW, starring Jim McCance as 'Jeeves' and Christian Gray (The Madness of Edgar Allan Poe and Romeo & Juliet at First Folio Theatre, The Glass Menagerie at Oak Park Festival Theatre) as 'Bertie.' Get a first look at the show in the photos below!

First Folio Theatre (Mayslake Peabody Estate, 31st St. & Rt. 83) presents the witty comedy JEEVES TAKES A BOW, previewing tonight, January 30; opening Saturday, February 2 at 8 p.m.; and running through March 3. Directed by Jeff Award nominee Alison C. Vesely (First Folio's A Moon for the Misbegotten), the cast of First Folio's 2009 production Jeeves in Bloom will reprise their roles in JEEVES TAKES A BOW, starring Jim McCance as "Jeeves" and Christian Gray (The Madness of Edgar Allan Poe and Romeo & Juliet at First Folio Theatre, The Glass Menagerie at Oak Park Festival Theatre) as "Bertie."

First Folio Theatre (Mayslake Peabody Estate, 31st St. & Rt. 83) presents the witty comedy JEEVES TAKES A BOW, previewing January 30; opening Saturday, February 2 at 8 p.m.; and running through March 3. Directed by Jeff Award nominee Alison C. Vesely (First Folio's A Moon for the Misbegotten), the cast of First Folio's 2009 production Jeeves in Bloom will reprise their roles in JEEVES TAKES A BOW, starring Jim McCance as "Jeeves" and Christian Gray (The Madness of Edgar Allan Poe and Romeo & Juliet at First Folio Theatre, The Glass Menagerie at Oak Park Festival Theatre) as "Bertie."

First Folio Theatre (Mayslake Peabody Estate, 31st St. & Rt. 83) presents the witty comedy JEEVES TAKES A BOW, previewing January 30; opening Saturday, February 2 at 8 p.m.; and running through March 3. Directed by Jeff Award nominee Alison C. Vesely (First Folio's A Moon for the Misbegotten), the cast of First Folio's 2009 production Jeeves in Bloom will reprise their roles in JEEVES TAKES A BOW, starring Jim McCance as "Jeeves" and Christian Gray (The Madness of Edgar Allan Poe and Romeo & Juliet at First Folio Theatre, The Glass Menagerie at Oak Park Festival Theatre) as "Bertie."

First Folio Theatre (Mayslake Peabody Estate, 31st St. & Rt. 83) presents the acclaimed play UNDERNEATH THE LINTEL, directed by Jeff Award nominee Alison C. Vesely, previewing March 27, opening March 30 and running through April 28, 2013. The production stars Kristine Thatcher, a member of the 2001 Tony Award-winning Victory Gardens Playwrights Ensemble, where her play Voice of Good Hope premiered and was nominated for the Joseph Jefferson Award for Best New Work in 2000. Thatcher most recently appeared as Terri in Jeffrey Sweet's new play Immoral Imperatives. Prior to that, she appeared in First Folio Theatre's production of Macbeth. Other credits include 'Hannah Jarvis' in Tom Stoppard's Arcadia at the Goodman Theatre, 'Candida' in George Bernard Shaw's Candida at Writers' Theatre, and 'Regan' in King Lear and 'Kate' in Taming of the Shrew at Chicago Shakespeare Theater.

First Folio Theatre (Mayslake Peabody Estate, 31st St. & Rt. 83) presents the acclaimed play UNDERNEATH THE LINTEL, directed by Jeff Award nominee Alison C. Vesely, previewing March 27, opening March 30 and running through April 28, 2013. The production stars Kristine Thatcher, a member of the 2001 Tony Award-winning Victory Gardens Playwrights Ensemble, where her play Voice of Good Hope premiered and was nominated for the Joseph Jefferson Award for Best New Work in 2000. Thatcher most recently appeared as Terri in Jeffrey Sweet's new play Immoral Imperatives. Prior to that, she appeared in First Folio Theatre's production of Macbeth. Other credits include "Hannah Jarvis" in Tom Stoppard's Arcadia at the Goodman Theatre, "Candida" in George Bernard Shaw's Candida at Writers' Theatre, and "Regan" in King Lear and "Kate" in Taming of the Shrew at Chicago Shakespeare Theater.

First Folio Theatre (Mayslake Peabody Estate, 31st St. & Rt. 83) presents THE MADNESS OF EDGAR ALLAN POE: A LOVE STORY, an original play by Executive Director David Rice. This critically acclaimed production first premiered in 2006 and sold out the entire run. The riveting tale of life and death, love and heartbreak runs through November 4. Check out photos from the show's opening night celebration below!

First Folio Theatre, known for bringing high quality performances of Shakespeare and other classics to the Chicagoland suburbs, closes its landmark 15th season with William Shakespeare's most controversial play, THE MERCHANT OF VENICE. A complex tale of hatred, love, revenge, and betrayal, THE MERCHANT OF VENICE opened on Saturday, July 14, and runs through August 19, 2012. Click below to watch video interviews with the cast about their inspirations, favorite scenes and more!

First Folio Theatre, (Mayslake Peabody Estate, 31st St. & Rt. 83), is presenting a special fully staged reading of SHYLOCK AND HIS DAUGHTER by Maurice Schwartz tonight, July 26 and Thursday, August 2, 9, and 16 at 8:15 p.m. Originally written for the Yiddish theater and translated into English, this play tells the same story as First Folio's main stage Shakespeare-under-the-Stars production, THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, but from Shylock's perspective.

First Folio Theatre, (Mayslake Peabody Estate, 31st St. & Rt. 83), is presenting a special fully staged reading of SHYLOCK AND HIS DAUGHTER by Maurice Schwartz on Thursday, July 26 and Thursday, August 2, 9, and 16 at 8:15 p.m. Originally written for the Yiddish theater and translated into English, this play tells the same story as First Folio's main stage Shakespeare-under-the-Stars production, THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, but from Shylock's perspective.