• First Folio has brought operations to a close as of February 26, 2023. Your support has been so wonderful. And in response: “I can no other answer make but thanks, and thanks, and ever thanks.” Shakespeare, Twelfth Night.

First Folio Theatre

  • First Folio Theatre
  • Home
  • History
  • Productions
  • People
    • Artistic Associates
    • Alison C. Vesely
    • David Rice
    • Staff
    • Board of Trustees
  • Contact
  • Donate!

October 6, 2009 by

The Castle of Otranto

Adapted by David Rice, based on the novel by Horace Walpole
Directed by Alison C. Vesely

Performed September 30, 2009 ~ November 1, 2009

“Horror stalks the castle!”

From the playwright who brought us The Madness of Edgar Allan Poe, the most popular play First Folio has ever produced!

View Press Release

The Story

One family curse, two murders and three ghosts combine to produce a macabre tale of adventure and romance.The Castle of Otranto marked the invention of the Gothic novel and provided inspiration for the greatest writers of horror stories in the English language, from Mary Shelley to Edgar Allan Poe to Bram Stoker. Join us for this World Premiere!

The Cast

  • David Girolmo* as Baron Manfred
  • Tony Dobrowolski* as Father Jerome
  • Dev Kennedy* as Mysterious Knight
  • Chris Amos as Theodore
  • Caitlin Chuckta as Princess Isabella
  • Hayley L. Rice+ as Lady Matilda
  • Rosalind Hurwitz as Baroness Hippolyta
  • Lindsay Leopold as Bianca
  • Eli Branson as Jacques
  • Jim Kozyra as Diego

The Artists

  • Stage Manager – Amber Johnson
  • Asst. Stage Manager – Sara Robinson
  • Angie Miller+ – Scenic Design
  • Nick Sandys*+ – Fight Director
  • Elsa Hiltner+ – Costume Design
  • Michael McNamara- Lighting Design
  • Christopher Kriz – Sound Design
  • Jesse Gaffney – Props Design

* = Member Actor’s Equity Association + = Artistic Associate of First Folio Theatre

The Photos

Click on the thumbnails below to view the full images from The Castle of Otranto.

Caitlin Chuckta (Princess Isabella)
David Girolmo (Baron Manfred) and Caitlin Chuckta (Princess Isabella)
Caitlin Chuckta (Princess Isabella)

All above photos by Melissa Carlson.

Our Sponsors

The 2021-22 Season was sponsored by Susan & Alan Becker and Daniel Nowaczynski & Nancy Ziegler.

Mission Statement  •  Return Policy
First Folio Theatre, 1717 31st St, Oak Brook, IL 60523
For press inquiries: www.heronagency.com or call 773.969.5200

© 2023 First Folio Theatre. All Rights Reserved. Designed by Get Art Seen.