Alison C. Vesely News

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Into The Woods,' the Chicago Musical Theater Festival, new music for Tom Stoppard, Rob Ashford to direct Lyric's 'Carousel,' Ellington's 'Queenie Pie,' 'Love Story,' NU's 'Shrek,' my Grammy and Oscar views, and more!

First Folio Theatre presents Tom Stoppard's hysterical farce ROUGH CROSSING previewing tonight, January 29, opening Saturday, February 1 at 8 p.m., and running through March 2, 2014. Directed by Jeff Award nominee and First Folio Theatre favorite Alison C. Vesely, ROUGH CROSSING is a musical romp on the high seas. Jeff Award winner Christopher Kriz ('The Turn of the Screw') will be composing three new jazz songs to Stoppard's original lyrics. Check out a first look below!

First Folio Theatre presents Tom Stoppard's hysterical farce ROUGH CROSSING previewing January 29, opening Saturday, February 1 at 8 p.m., and running through March 2, 2014. Directed by Jeff Award nominee and First Folio Theatre favorite Alison C. Vesely, ROUGH CROSSING is a musical romp on the high seas. Jeff Award winner Christopher Kriz ("The Turn of the Screw") will be composing three new jazz songs to Stoppard's original lyrics.

First Folio Theatre, at Mayslake Peabody Estate, 31st St. & Rt. 83, will begin its 2013-2014 season with the poignant, romantic drama THE RAINMAKER, 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). Check out a sneak peek below!

First Folio Theatre, at Mayslake Peabody Estate, 31st St. & Rt. 83, begins its 2013-2014 season with the poignant, romantic drama THE RAINMAKER, which opened Saturday, August 3 at 8:15 p.m. and runs 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). Scroll down for photos from opening night!

First Folio Theatre, at Mayslake Peabody Estate, 31st St. & Rt. 83, will begin its 2013-2014 season with the poignant, romantic drama THE RAINMAKER, 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). Check out a first look below!

First Folio Theatre, at Mayslake Peabody Estate, 31st St. & Rt. 83, will begin its 2013-2014 season with the poignant, romantic dramaTHE RAINMAKER, previewing today, 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, 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.