Photo Flash: Production Photos of First Folio's JEEVES IN BLOOM; Opens 1/30

Following the success of 2008's Jeeves Intervenes, playwright Margaret Raether has created another uproarious adaptation of the works of the British humorous P.G. Wodehouse. The latest entry in the Jeeves and Wooster saga makes its Chicago area debut at First Folio Theatre, at their indoor home in Mayslake Hall, on the grounds of the Peabody Estate in Oak Brook. This time around, the empty-headed upper-crust Bertie Wooster is called to the country by his overbearing Aunt Dahlia. Accompanied by the newt-loving Gussie Fink-Nottle, Bertie is faced with the task of eluding the romantic entanglement of the fairy-adoring Madeline Bassett, evading the sharpened
cleaver of Anatole the Chef, all the while eluding his shotgun-toting Uncle Tom Travers. Only the clever advice of the unflappable Jeeves, England's most famous Gentleman's Gentleman, can save the lovably loopy Bertie. However, when Bertie goes one step too far, Jeeves is forced to resign his service, leaving Bertie in the proverbial lurch. Will Bertie survive on his own? Will Jeeves ever return? Such is the basis for the hilarious shenanigans audiences have come to expect from P.G. Wodehouse's most famous characters.

Directed by Alison C. Vesely, Jeeves in Bloom marks the return of Christian Gray as the sweet but scatterbrained Bertie and Jim McCance as the incomparable Jeeves, the same roles they played to critical praise in 2008's production of Jeeves Intervenes. The cast will also include the return to First Folio's stage of two of its most popular Artistic Associates, Kevin McKillip (as the amphibian-loving Gussie Fink-Nottle) and Melanie Keller (as Madeline Bassett, the object of Gussie's affections). Rounding out the cast will be Jeannie Affelder as Bertie's Aunt Dahlia and James Leaming in the dual roles of Anatole the Chef and Uncle Tom Travers.

All performances take place on the grounds of the Mayslake Peabody Estate, which is owned and operated by the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County. Indoor shows are presented in Mayslake Hall, a 30-room Tudor Revival style mansion originally built by coAl Baron Francis S. Peabody. Completed in 1922, the mansion is on the National Registry of Historic Places. Located at 31st St. and Rt. 83 in Oak Brook, First Folio is easy to get to from either the East-West Tollway (I-88) or the Stevenson Expressway (I-55).

In response to the high demand for tickets, First Folio is adding 5 more performance dates for Jeeves In Bloom. In addition to the original schedule, tickets are now available for 8:00 shows on Thursdays Feb. 18 and 25 and for 7:30 shows on Sundays February 21 and 28. First Folio is also offering tickets for a special matinee performance on Tuesday, February 9th at 1:00 PM. Tickets may be obtained online at www.firstfolio.org or by calling the theater's box office at 630-986-8067.

Performance schedules and ticket prices are included below.
Opening Night:
January 30 @ 8:00
Runs:
January 27 - February 28
Tickets:
$28-30 adults, $23-25 Students/Seniors (Previews $18)
Box Office:
630-986-8067