Musical 'Shrew,' werewolf thriller part of First Folio's 2017-18 season

From forbidden love to potentially deadly liaisons, troubled romances run through the four plays of First Folio Theatre's 2017-18 season, announced Thursday.

The first three productions play indoors at the Mayslake Peabody Estate in Oak Brook, with one summer musical staged outdoors on the grounds of the historic mansion.

For the Halloween season, First Folio presents the world premiere of "The Man-Beast" (Oct. 4 to Nov. 5). Playwright Joseph Zettelmaier tackles werewolves with an 18th century French setting following his earlier First Folio monster dramas "The Gravedigger" (inspired by "Frankenstein") and "Dr. Seward's Dracula."

Wendy MacLeod's dark comedy "Women in Jeopardy" (Jan. 27 to Feb. 25) follows. It centers around divorcees who fear their best friend is dating a serial killer.

Next spring, First Folio stages Stephen Massicotte's "Mary's Wedding" (March 28 to April 29) to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I, It's a forbidden love story between two youths whose innocence is shattered by war.

Wrapping up the season is the new musical "SHREW'D: Shakespeare's Bawdiest Comedy ... with a Modern Twist" (July 11 to Aug. 19, 2018). Composer Michael Keefe and lyricist David Rice ("Cymbeline: A Musical Folktale") transport the sparring lovers from "The Taming of the Shrew" to 1930s jazz-age Chicago.

Three and four-show subscriptions are $63 to $115, and go on sale Thursday, June 1. For more information, call (630) 986-8067 or visit firstfolio.org.