Photo Flash: Sneak Peek at First Folio Theatre's THE GRAVEDIGGER

To kick off its 19th season, First Folio Theatre (Mayslake Peabody Estate, 31st St. & Rt. 83) is proud to present the World Premiere of the gothic drama THE GRAVEDIGGER, which previews October 1, opens October 4 and runs through November 2, 2014. Scroll down for some creepy promo pics!

The production is written by First Folio Artistic Associate Joseph Zettelmaier, who recently opened the World Premiere of his play Salvage at First Folio Theatre to sold-out audiences. Jeff Award nominee Alison C. Vesely (First Folio's A Moon for the Misbegotten) will direct. The cast is led by Craig Spidle (Brigadoon at The Goodman Theatre, Twelfth Night at First Folio Theatre, Fiddler on the Roof at Drury Lane Theatre) as "Kurt" (The Gravedigger), Joshua Caroll as "Anton" (The Monster), Simina Contras as "Nadya" (A Gypsy), and Doug MacKechnie as "Victor" (The Creator).

First Folio Theatre will host a special late night performance of the production on Halloween. This special fundraising performance, sponsored by First Folio's Young Professionals Board, will include drinks and appetizers prior to the 11 PM show.

Mayslake Peabody Estate, the Tudor Revival style mansion built in 1921, serves as the perfect backdrop for the scary tale having long been rumored to be haunted by its original owner, Francis Stuyvesant Peabody. This tale of Frankenstein's Monster takes place in the 18th century in one of Bavaria's forgotten cemeteries, where the original novel leaves off. The spooky tale begins when a lone gravedigger finds a hideously scarred man hiding in a fresh grave. Told from the Monster's perspective, both men soon realize how interconnected they are as their shared, gruesome pasts slowly unfold. THE GRAVEDIGGER is a chilling psychological drama made for those who love the classic Monster story.

The 18th century-style set of one of Bavaria's spooky cemeteries is designed by Angela Miller (The Merry Wives of Windsor, Salvage andRough Crossing at First Folio Theatre). The artistic team also includes lighting design by Michael McNamara (Jeff Award for The Turn of the Screw at First Folio), costumes by Rachel Lambert (Cymbeline and The Merchant of Venice at First Folio), and sound design by Christopher Kriz (Jeff Award for The Turn of the Screw at First Folio.)

THE GRAVEDIGGER previews October 1, opens October 4 and runs through November 2, 2014. All performances take place at the Mayslake Peabody Estate, located at 1717 W 31st St., off Rt. 83, in Oak Brook. 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). Three and four show subscriptions are available for $55-$105 (subscribers will receive $5 off each subscription if they are purchased by August 15, 2014). Season subscriptions and individual tickets may be purchased by calling the box office at 630.986.8067 or online at www.firstfolio.org.

Photos courtesy of First Folio Theatre.

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