Michael McNamara News

First Folio Theatre (Mayslake Peabody Estate, 31st St. & Rt. 83) presents THE MADNESS OF EDGAR ALLAN POE: A LOVE STORY, an original play by Executive Director David Rice. This critically acclaimed production first premiered in 2006 and sold out the entire run. The riveting tale of life and death, love and heartbreak previews September 26, opens Saturday, September 29 at 8 p.m. and runs through November 4. THE MADNESS OF EDGAR ALLAN POE: A LOVE STORY is directed by Michael Goldberg (Twelfth Night, Much Ado About Nothing and A Midsummer Night's Dream at First Folio) and stars Christian Gray as 'Edgar Allan Poe' (A Moon for the Misbegotten at First Folio Theatre, A Christmas Carol at Drury Lane Theatre, and Richard II at Writers' Theatre).

The Jeff Awards Committee announced 197 nominations in 34 categories for Chicago Equity theatrical productions, which opened between August 1, 2011, and July 31, 2012. The Jeff Awards judges attended opening nights of 118 Equity productions offered by 55 producing organizations. From these openings, 96 productions were 'Jeff Recommended,' which made them eligible for award nominations.

The Jeff Awards Committee today announced 197 nominations in 34 categories for Chicago Equity theatrical productions, which opened between August 1, 2011, and July 31, 2012. The Jeff Awards judges attended opening nights of 118 Equity productions offered by 55 producing organizations. From these openings, 96 productions were 'Jeff Recommended,' which made them eligible for award nominations.

Long-time Remy Bumppo Artistic Associate Nick Sandys succeeded in obtaining rights to Seascape to open his first full season as the theatre's Artistic Director, themed 'The Marriage Game: Truth and Consequence?' Sandys will be directing the production, his first time to direct Albee since doing The Zoo Story in Texas in 1989. Seascape runs September 12 through October 14, 2012, at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave.

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.

ARMY WIVES, Lifetime's most successful series in the network's history, will return for its sixth season with all-new episodes beginning Sunday, March 4 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Immediately following at 10pm ET/PT will be new episodes of COMING HOME, Lifetime's award-winning docu-series featuring U.S. armed forces service members' surprise family reunions.

ARMY WIVES, Lifetime's most successful series in the network's history, will return for its sixth season with all-new episodes beginning Sunday, March 4 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Immediately following at 10pm ET/PT will be new episodes of COMING HOME, Lifetime's award-winning docu-series featuring U.S. armed forces service members' surprise family reunions.

Bravo gives viewers an escape from the grueling winter and turns up the heat with the premiere of 'The Real Housewives of Miami' on Tuesday, February 22 at 10pm ET/PT.

Bravo gives viewers an escape from the grueling winter and turns up the heat with the premiere of 'The Real Housewives of Miami' on Tuesday, February 22 at 10pm ET/PT.

The Phoenix Theatre of Indianapolis will produce A Very Phoenix Xmas 5: Regifted as its annual alternative holiday production from November 26 through December 19, 2010.

The Phoenix Theatre of Indianapolis will produce A Very Phoenix Xmas 5: Regifted as its annual alternative holiday production from November 26 through December 19, 2010. This year's 'regifted' production, conceived and directed by Phoenix Theatre Producing Director Bryan Fonseca, is truly the result of work-shopping Phoenix Xmas shows for the past four years and coming up with a 'greatest hits' selection of music, sketches, videos and dances from past shows.

The Phoenix Theatre of Indianapolis will produce A Very Phoenix Xmas 5: Regifted as its annual alternative holiday production from November 26 through December 19, 2010.