First Folio Theatre Announces Its 2013-2014 Season and The World Premiere of CYMBELINE in June

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.

THE RAINMAKER has been hailed as "A fable of life altering love!" (New York Times) and "A cloudburst of a hit!" (New York World).When a charming con man named Starbuck comes to a drought stricken Western town, he sets a family's world on end, romancing their spinster daughter and promising to change everything. This profound Depression-era tale brings out the true power of hope and humor during difficult times. THE RAINMAKER, by N. Richard Nash, originally premiered in New York in 1954 and was made into a 1956 film starring Burt Lancaster and Katharine Hepburn. The production is directed by Jeff Award nominee Alison C. Vesely (First Folio's A Moon for the Misbegotten) and stars Hayley Rice as "Lizzie Curry," Joseph Wycoff as "Starbuck," Aaron Christianson as "File," Matthew Keffer as "Noah Curry," David Rice as "H.C. Curry," Alex Wiesman as "Jimmy Curry," and René Ruelas as "Sheriff Thomas." The production begins previews July 31, opens August 3 and runs through September 1, 2013.

ROUGH CROSSING is a dazzlingly witty journey on the high seas, by Tony and Academy Award winner Tom Stoppard and based on "Play at the Castle" by Ferenc Molnár. The Jazz Age musical is set in 1928 aboard the S.S. Italian Castle on its way to New York, while two playwrights struggle to finish their latest musical hit as they maneuver around a jealous composer, the screen star he loves, and her lothario co-star. Aided by the most inept steward ever to tread the deck of a cruise ship, the trio must save both their show and their stars from disaster. The Chicago Tribune raved that the production is "Filled with verbal pyrotechnics, shameless puns, outrageous literary allusions...ineffably charming!" Alison C. Vesely directs ROUGH CROSSING, which will feature First Folio Theatre Artistic Associates Kevin McKillip, René Ruelas, and David Rice. Jeff Award winner Christopher Kriz will be composing the music for three songs, with lyrics by Tom Stoppard. The production previews January 30, opens February 1 and runs through March 3, 2014.

First Folio Theatre is proud to present the world premiere of the new drama SALVAGE, the tender story of shy owner of a collectables store in Detroit who finds his staid existence turned topsy-turvy when a mysterious women enters his life with valuable items that should no longer exist. SALVAGE is by Joseph Zettelmaier, a four-time nominee for the Steinberg/American Theatre Critics Association Award for Best New Play. "Zettelmaier's plays are infused with an idiosyncratic sense of humor, but he never shies away from darker emotions," said American Theatre Magazine. Alison C. Vesely directs SALVAGE, which will star First Folio Theatre Artistic Associate Melanie Keller. SALVAGE previews March 26, opens March 29 and runs through April 27, 2014.

The brilliant Shakespearean comedy THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR will appear on First Folio Theatre's outdoor main stage, situated on the scenic slopes of the historic Mayslake Peabody Estate. Guests are encouraged to bring a picnic and enjoy First Folio Theatre's annual "Shakespeare Under the Stars" production, directed by Jeff Award nominee Nick Sandys. Shakespeare's greatest (and largest) comic character, Sir John Falstaff, was too huge to be contained by his original appearance in Henry IV. Short on money, the rotund Falstaff sets out on a quest to seduce not just one, but two wealthy married women, who then decide to turn the tables on Falstaff and teach him a lesson in fidelity and honesty. The New York Times raves that this classic tale is "Sparkling! Brims with joy!" THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR previews July 7, opens July 10, and runs through August 10, 2014.

First Folio Theatre is entering its 18th season of bringing high-quality performances of Shakespeare and other classics to the stage. During that time, the theater has expanded from an annual summer production to a year-round operation with three separate and distinct stages at the historic Mayslake Peabody Estate. The Shakespeare Book of Lists names First Folio Theatre one of the "150 Great Places to See a Shakespeare Play." The Chicago Tribune raved that their "Shakespeare Under the Stars" summer series "offers something Navy Pier can't...plenty of greenery, gentle breezes and the chance to stretch out on a blanket with family and friends while being transported to Shakespeare's otherworldly romance."?

All performances take place at the Mayslake Peabody Estate, located at 1717 W 31st St., off Rt. 83, in Oak Brook. First Folio is easy to get to from via the East-West Tollway (I-88) or the Stevenson Expressway (I-55). Free parking is available on the grounds. Preview tickets are $22. Regular priced tickets are $30 Wednesdays and Thursdays (seniors and students are $26), and $37 on Fridays through Sundays (seniors and students are $32). Three and four show subscriptions are available for $57-$105 (subscribers will receive $5 off each subscription if they are purchased by August 1, 2013). Season subscriptions and individual tickets may be purchased by calling the box office at 630.986.8067 or online at www.firstfolio.org.

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