First Folio Theatre's 'Season Of Invention' Begins With THE CASTLE OF OTRANTO 9/30-11/1

First Folio Theatre begins its Season of Invention with the world premier of The Castle of Otranto. One family curse, two murders, and three ghosts add up to one of the greatest Gothic horror adventures ever written, giving First Folio the perfect follow-up to its past productions of the works of Edgar Allan Poe and Bram Stoker.

Based on the 18th Century Gothic horror novel by Horace Walpole, the story has been adapted to
the stage by Jeff-nominated playwright David Rice. When asked about the script, David described it as "a cross between the eeriness of Poe and the romance of Jane Austen, with a dash of Errol Flynn swashbuckling thrown in." David is also the author of The Madness of Edgar Allan Poe: A Love Story, which played to sell-out runs at First Folio in 2006 and 2007.

Castle will be directed by Alison C. Vesely, who was recently nominated for a Jeff Award for her direction of last season's A Moon for the Misbegotten. The swordfights will be designed by award winning combat choreographer Nick Sandys, promising some top-flight excitement. This tale of the supernatural will be mounted in First Folio's newest performance space, the former sanctuary within Mayslake Hall. With its vaulted ceiling and wooden beams, this Gothic sanctorum has an ambience tailor made for this classic tale of adventure and romance. And for a speciAl Halloween treat, First Folio will offer audience members the chance to spend Halloween in the haunted Castle. On October 31, First Folio will present a special fund-raising performance with tickets priced at $50 for the Halloween evening show. Following the performance, guests will enjoy special drinks and hors d'oeuvres with the cast, the director, and the playwright.

Season subscriptions and individual tickets may be purchased by calling the box office at 630- 986-8067 or online at www.firstfolio.org. Ticket prices range from $23-30, and subscription packages begin as low as $51.

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).