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In the action-packed world premiere of Captain Blood, First Folio Executive Producer David Rice along with his wife, Artistic Director Alison C. Vesely, have collaborated on a swashbuckling adventure that is sure to be long remembered for its choreographed swordfights, enthralling story and witty comicality. Sadly, Alison recently lost a two-year battle with cancer and passed away just two months before Captain Blood’s debut. But her final collaboration with her husband will undoubtedly leave its mark on those who see it, as it is sure to be rooted in the minds of audience members thanks to Rice’s skilled writing, a talented cast and a strong directing effort. A fitting tribute to Alison C. Vesley, Captain Blood is stamped with Rice’s humor and is engulfed with a subtle warm-heartedness throughout and not-so-subtle theme of love that can only exist in a project of true passion.  

Adapted from Rafeal Sabatini’s 1922 classic novel Captain Blood (later turned into a film in 1935), theatre goers are regaled to the captivating high seas exploit of Peter Blood, a 17th century British physician, imprisoned by his own country for treating enemy Spanish soldiers. Blood is soon sold to a plantation on a Caribbean island for ten pounds where he becomes a slave. It’s not long after his enslavement that Blood falls in love with the niece of the plantation’s owner, Arabella Bishop. But after a daring escape, Blood soon takes to the waters, this time as a Caribbean pirate captain, whose favorite pastime is robbing Spanish ships. Throughout his pillaging, we wonder if Captain Blood will once again cross paths with his love, Arabella. 

Wonderfully directed by Janice L. Blixt, Captain Blood is a thrilling story of romance and freedom. Though a fast-paced pirate adventure, Blixt does a fantastic job of implementing a strong leitmotif of love as the play’s underlying driving force. 

Nick Sandys (Artistic Director of Remy Bumppo) leads this gifted cast as Captain Blood, a role that Rice immediately envisioned for the dashing actor five years ago during the project’s inception. Not only does Sandys deliver a picture-perfect performance as the charming, yet dynamic captain, he is also the contributing force behind the choreography of the play’s many dazzling swordfights and action scenes.  Sandys is joined by Heather Chrisler as his subject of love, Arebella Bishop. Some might remember Chrisler for her compelling portrayal of Virginia Poe in Rice’s brilliant work, The Madness of Edgar Allan Poe. Though not as challenging a role as Virginia Poe, Chrisler is as flawless as can be as Arebella, giving Sandys a believable counterpart to whom we can truly relate. 

The play also gets a boost from veteran actor Kevin McKillip whose previous work includes First Folio’s The Madness of Edgar Allan Poe and The Winter’s Tale. McKillip takes on dual roles as both Hagthorpe, a ship crew member who helps narrate the play, and Don Alan, a Spanish sea captain. It is McKillip who draws the biggest laughs due to his delicious comic timing and hilarious delivery of a Castilian Spanish accent. Other nods go to Christopher W. Jones as Wolverton, Sam Krey as Lord Julian and Aaron Christensen as Colonel Bishop/Harper.

With its many characters donning costumes to the likeness of the era and a vast set that is often used as a nautical vessel complete with trapdoors and projections of the Caribbean seascape, it is easy to get lost into this classic story. 

Captain Blood is an adventurous production that is sure to capture the hearts and imagination of all those who are seeking high seas fun, action and love. Recommended as a show the entire family can enjoy, Captain Blood will be performed at the Mayslake Peabody Estate in Oakbrook through February 26th. For tickets and/or more information on this beautifully adapted for stage production of the definitive novel, click here

 

Published in Theatre in Review
Saturday, 03 December 2016 10:59

First Folio to Present Captain Blood

OAK BROOK, IL — Experience the novel come alive, as First Folio Theatre (Mayslake Peabody Estate, 31st St. & Rt. 83) presents the world premiere stage adaption of CAPTAIN BLOOD, opening Saturday, January 28, 2017 and running through February 26, 2017, with previews January 25-27. This action-packed adaptation of the novel by Rafael Sabatini is written by Jeff Award winner David Rice, the author of the critically-acclaimed original drama The Madness of Edgar Allan Poe: A Love Story and the Shakspearean adaptation Cymbeline: A Musical Folk Tale (Jeff Awards for Original Adaptation and Original Music.)

 

Set on a Caribbean island, CAPTAIN BLOOD follows the unjustly enslaved Dr. Peter Blood as he falls in love with the lady of the plantation, the lovely Arabella Bishop. This lively adaptation replete with swordfights and pirate battles as Blood escapes and takes up the treacherous life of a pirate, it then appears fate has separated them forever… or has it?

 

The cast of CAPTAIN BLOOD is led by Nick Sandys (Joseph Jefferson Nomination for Travesties at Remy Bumppo) as “Captain Peter Blood”; Heather Chrisler (Rutherford’s Travels World Premiere at First Folio Theatre) as “Arabella Bishop”; and an ensemble which includes Aaron Christensen (The Taming of the Shrew at First Folio), Barbara Charlene (Spring Awakening National Tour), Austin England, Christopher Jones, Sam Krey (Circus Juventas), Kevin McKillip (The Madness of Edgar Allan Poe at First Folio Theatre), Jennifer Mohr, Almanya Narula (The Persians at Columbia College Chicago), and Chris Vizurraga (Lester’s Dreadful Sweaters at Lifeline Theatre).

 

The artistic team includes Janice L. Blixt as Director (Killer Angels with Michigan Shakespeare Festival), Kevin McKillip (Will Rogers- An American Original at First Folio Theatre) as Assistant Director, Nick Sandys (Joseph Jefferson Nomination for fight direction Romeo and Juliet at First Folio) as Fight Director, Scenic Design by Angela Weber Miller (Dr. Seward’s Dracula at First Folio Theatre), Lighting Design by Greg Freeman (Fooling Buddha, Jeeves at Sea, and The Rainmaker at First Folio and Side Show at Porchlight); Original Music and Sound Design by Christopher Kriz (Roz and Ray at Victory Gardens Theatre), Costume Design by Alexa Weinzierl (Fiddler on the Roof at Light Opera Works Chicago), Projections Design by Erin Pleake (A Midsummer Night’s Dream at University Playhouse), Properties Design by Scott Leaton, Amy Creuziger as Stage Manager, and Sarah West as Assistant Stage Manager.

 

CAPTAIN BLOODopens January 28th, and runs through February 26th, 2017, and previews January 25-27. 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 via the East-West Tollway (I-88) or the Stevenson Expressway (I-55). Free parking is available on the grounds. Preview tickets are $23. Regular priced tickets are $29 Wednesdays and Thursdays (seniors and students are $26), and $39 on Fridays through Sundays (seniors and students are $36). Three show subscriptions are available for $58-$101. Season subscriptions and individual tickets may be purchased by calling the box office at 630.986.8067 or online at www.firstfolio.org.

Published in Upcoming Theatre

 

 

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