First Folio Theatre's 2016- 17 Season to Feature Chicago, World Premieres

First Folio Theatre has announced its 2016-2017 season, kicking off with the Chicago premiere of DR. SEWARD'S DRACULA, running October 5 through November 6, 2016. For its winter show, First Folio Theatre presents the World Premiere adaptation of the adventure novel CAPTAIN BLOOD, running January 25 through February 26, 2016. The true story behind SILENT SKY completes the indoor season, running March 29 through April 30, 2017, and Shakespeare's most pastoral comedy, AS YOU LIKE IT takes the outdoor stage for the 21st year of First Folio's Shakespeare Under the Stars summer series, running July 12 through August 20, 2017.

DR. SEWARD'S DRACULA by Joseph Zettelmaier will make its Chicago debut under the direction of Jeff Award nominee Alison C. Vesely. Experience the legend of Dracula anew, as the narrative picks up just after the end of Bram Stoker's tale of the Prince of Darkness. Now that Dracula is dead, Dr. Seward is faced with explaining multiple dead bodies to the police. This sinful and spooky adaptation previews October 5, opens October 8 and runs through November 6, 2016.

CAPTAIN BLOOD, a World Premiere stage adaptation of the novel by Rafael Sabatini is written by Jeff Award winner David Rice, the author of the critically-acclaimed original drama The Madness of Edgar Allan Poe: A Love Story. Set on a Caribbean island, the unjustly enslaved Dr. Peter Blood falls in love with the lady of the plantation, the lovely Arabella Bishop. When Blood escapes and takes up the life of a pirate, it appears fate has separated them forever... or has it? This lively adaptation replete with swordfights, pirate battles, love, treachery, and even a song or two will be directed by Alison C. Vesely. CAPTAIN BLOOD begins previews on January 25, opens January 28 and runs through February 26, 2017.

First Folio Theatre's spring production and Chicago premiere, SILENT SKY, is written by Lanford Wilson Award winner Lauren Gunderson. This alternately poignant and funny production is based on the true story of Henriette Leavitt Swan, one of the historic "computer ladies" at Harvard's observatory in the early 20th century. Despite never being allowed to use the telescope, Henrietta made ground-breaking discoveries that shook the foundations of astronomy and made possible the work of Dr. Edwin Hubble and every astronomer to follow. SILENT SKY will also be under the direction of Alison C. Vesely with previews starting March 29. The show opens on April 1 and runs through April 30, 2017.

For the summer, First Folio Theatre presents AS YOU LIKE IT, marking the 21st year of the Shakespeare Under the Stars series. Poor unlucky Orlando is forced to escape to the woods of Arden, abandoning both his inheritance and Rosalind, the woman he loves. Little does he dream, however, that the sprightly youth who follows him into the woods and teaches him how to woo is actually Rosalind in disguise. AS YOU LIKE IT previews July 12, opens July 15 and runs through August 20, 2017.

First Folio Theatre is entering its 21st 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 via the East-West Tollway (I-88) or the Stevenson Expressway (I-55). Free parking is available on the grounds. Preview tickets are $23. Regular priced tickets are $29 Wednesdays and Thursdays (seniors and students are $26), and $39 on Fridays through Sundays (seniors and students are $36). Three and four show subscriptions are available for $58-$115 (subscribers will receive $5 off each subscription if they are purchased by July 1.) During the summer show, a special pricing of $10 will also be offered for children age 13 and under who are accompanied by a parent. 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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