Hayley L. Rice News

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.

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. Check out photos from opening night below!

First Folio Theatre will close its landmark 15th season with William Shakespeare's most controversial play, THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, directed by Artistic Director, Alison C. Vesely, opening July 16 through August 19. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production photos below.

First Folio Theatre (Mayslake Peabody Estate, 31st St. & Rt. 83), known for bringinghigh quality performances of Shakespeare and other classics to the Chicagoland suburbs, will close its landmark 15th season with William Shakespeare's most controversial play, THE MERCHANT OF VENICE.

First Folio Theatre (Mayslake Peabody Estate, 31st St. & Rt. 83) will close its landmark 15th season with William Shakespeare's most controversial play, THE MERCHANT OF VENICE.

First Folio Theatre (Mayslake Peabody Estate, 31st St. & Rt. 83) will close its landmark 15th season with William Shakespeare's most controversial play, THE MERCHANT OF VENICE.

First Folio Theatre (Mayslake Peabody Estate, 31st St. & Rt. 83), known for bringinghigh quality performances of Shakespeare and other classics to the Chicagoland suburbs, will close its landmark 15th season with William Shakespeare's most controversial play, THE MERCHANT OF VENICE. Artistic Director Alison C. Vesely will direct the classic for First Folio's beloved annual Shakespeare-under-the-Stars production on the outdoor main stage situated on the scenic slopes of the historic estate. A dramatic destination that not only delivers outstanding theater to its audience, First Folio Theatre invites Chicagoans to spread out their picnic blankets, kick off their shoes, and soak up some Shakespeare against a picture perfect backdrop.

Focal Point Theatre Company (FPTC) begins its first season with a show dubbed The Against Type Project.

Newly formed Focal Point Theatre Company has announced the start of their first season.

Focal Point Theatre Company (FPTC) begins its first season with a show dubbed The Against Type Project.

Focal Point Theatre Company (FPTC) begins its first season with a show dubbed The Against Type Project.

Newly formed Focal Point Theatre Company has announced the start of their first season.

Sixteen-time Jeff Nominee Paula Scrofano is currently delighting audiences as the flamboyant medium Madame Arcati in First Folio's production of Blithe Spirit.