First Folio season to open with ‘Madness of Edgar Allan Poe’

First Folio Theatre has announced its 2012-2013 season at Mayslake Peabody Estate, 31st Street and Route 83, Oak Brook.

The season begins with the return of the production “The Madness of Edgar Allan Poe: A Love Story,” previewing Sept. 26, opening Sept. 29 and running through Nov. 4.

Other shows on the schedule are:

Ÿ The comedy “Jeeves Takes a Bow” previews Jan. 30, opens Feb. 1 and runs through March 3.

Ÿ The quirky mystery “Underneath the Lintel” previews March 27, opens March 30 and runs through April 28.

Ÿ The world premiere of Shakespeare’s “Cymbeline: A Folk Tale with Music,” previews in summer 2013.

“The Madness of Edgar Allan Poe: A Love Story” is an exploration of the life and death, love and heartbreak of one of the most prolific writers of all time.

Poe’s macabre and melancholic tales and poems come to life in the play, called “a smart and heartfelt journey” (The Chicago Tribune) and “a masterful take on a master’s work” (Daily Herald).

Poe and his wife, Virginia, guide the audience through historic Mayslake Hall, taking them from the garrets to the dungeons and deep into the madness of Poe. This original work by First Folio Executive Director David Rice is based on the life and writings of the famed author and received a Jeff Award nomination for New Adaptation in 2007.

“The Madness” will be directed by Michael Goldberg (director of First Folio’s “Twelfth Night,” “Much Ado About Nothing” and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”) and stars Larry Neumann, Jr., Diane Mair and Robert Allan Smith.

Preview tickets are $22. Regularly priced tickets are $32 Wednesdays and Thursdays (seniors and students $26), and $37 on Fridays through Sundays (seniors and students $30). Three- and four-show subscriptions are available for $57 to $105. Season subscriptions and individual tickets may be purchased at (630) 986-8067 or firstfolio.org.