First Folio Theatre Stages THE WINTER'S TALE, Beginning Tonight

First Folio Theatre (Mayslake Peabody Estate, 31st St. & Rt. 83) will present THE WINTER'S TALE as part of its annual outdoor Shakespeare Under the Stars series, previewing tonight, July 8, opening Saturday, July 11 at 8:15 p.m., and running through August 9, 2015. Pack a picnic and experience the Shakespearean classic that the The New York Times hails as "Enthralling!" The spellbinding story of jealousy, love, and the price of both is directed by Jeff Award-nominee Alison C. Vesely.

A royal family is ripped apart when King Leontes' envy brings about the death of his wife, the rejection of his best friend, and the estrangement of his newborn daughter. Broken hearts are mended when the king's abandoned child falls in love with a Bohemian prince. Filled with wonder, magic, and mystery, THE WINTER'S TALE is a celebration of faith and redemption, of holding on and letting go, and the transcendent power of love.

THE WINTER'S TALE cast is led by Melissa Carlson (Much Ado About Nothing and Tea at Five at First Folio), Diana Coates, Ryan Czerwonko (Cymbeline at First Folio), Kyle Haden, Kevin McKillip (Artistic Associate, three time Jeff Nominee with First Folio), Michael Joseph Mitchell (The Merchant of Venice at First Folio), Kevin Theis and Ann Marie White.

The artistic team includes Scenic Design by Angela Weber Miller (Artistic Associate, four time Jeff Nominee with First Folio), Lighting Design by Michael McNamara (Artistic Associate, Jeff Award winner for The Turn of the Screw with First Folio), Sound Design and Original Music by Christopher Kriz (Artistic Associate, Jeff Award winner for The Turn of the Screw with First Folio), Costume Design by Rachel Lambert (Artistic Associate, Jeff Award nominee for Romeo and Juliet with First Folio), and Props Design by Cassy Schillo (Artistic Associate, Jeff Award nominee for Salvage with First Folio).

First Folio Theatre is concluding its 19th 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."

THE WINTER'S TALE begins previews on July 8, opens July 11, and runs through August 9, 2015. All performances take place at the Mayslake Peabody Estate, located at 1717 W 31st St., off Rt. 83, in Oak Brook at 8:15 p.m. on Wednesdays through Sundays. First Folio is easy to get to from via the East-West Tollway (I-88) or the Stevenson Expressway (I-55). Free parking is available on the grounds. Preview tickets are $22. Regular priced tickets are $29 Wednesdays and Thursdays (seniors and students are $25), and $39 on Fridays through Sundays (seniors and students are $35). Tickets may be purchased by calling the box office at 630.986.8067 or online at www.firstfolio.org.

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