Bring your costumes for First Folio's 'Dracula'

When the audience showed up in costumes that rivaled the garb of the actors on stage, members of the Oak Brook-based First Folio Theatre knew they had a hit play on their hands.

After about 10 seasons of performances at Mayslake Peabody Estate in Oak Brook, the theater company really struck a chord with audiences two years ago during its production of "The Madness of Edgar Allan Poe."

The play, which moved from room to room in the Peabody mansion, was such a hit with the audience that it inspired theater-lovers to dress in costume for the show - and caused First Folio's popularity to grow.

"That got us a lot more attention," said Alison Vesely, First Folio's co-founder and artistic director.

Because of its increasing popularity, First Folio is expanding its performance space from 80 seats in the Peabody mansion's library to 120 seats in its event hall.

To raise funds for these changes, the company is hosting two benefit performances of this year's fall play, "The Passion of Dracula," today and Friday, Oct. 30-31. The event will include a post-show cocktail and hors d'oeuvres reception with members of the cast, as well as tarot card readings.

Proceeds will benefit First Folio, to help with construction of new risers and staircases and to fund additional lighting and seating for the expanded performance area.

Of course, audience members are welcome to pop in their fangs and drape on their capes for the show.

"I think we have kind of found a niche here by doing something fun for Halloween," said Vesely, who runs the theater with her husband, David Rice, and directs "The Passion of Dracula."

"Halloween lends itself to a kind of fun and silliness of dressing up, so both the audience and cast are having a fun time with the show," Vesely said.

The current Dracula play is the first production in First Folio's 12th season, "Season of Passion." The season also includes "Design for Living" by Noël Coward, "A Moon for the Misbegotten" by Eugene O'Neill, and "Macbeth" as the annual Shakespeare Under the Stars outdoor performance, which will happen next summer.