Orlando Shakes Announces PlayFest Schedule 4/8-17

Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF announces its lineup of new play readings, workshops, and panel discussions for PlayFest! The Harriett Lake Festival of New Plays, running April 8 - 17, 2011 at the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center (812 East Rollins Street).

This year, Orlando Shakes welcomes former local resident and PlayFest veteran, playwright Mark Brown (Around the World in 80 Days, The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge, and China - The Whole Enchilada) back to the Margeson Stage for an Inside the Actor's Studio style conversation with Orlando Shakes Artistic Director Jim Helsinger on Friday, April 8, 2011. MR. Brown's new play, Don Quixote - The Reckoning will be presented as one of two workshops during PlayFest.

Mark Brown is an award-winning writer and actor whose credits include appearances at South Coast Repertory and Utah Shakespearean Festival. His play Around the World in 80 Days has literally been produced around the world and was listed in American Theater Magazine as one of the top 10 most produced plays in 2009. Awards for 80 Days include two Lillie Stoates Awards, including Best Production (Orlando Shakespeare Theater); four Shellie Awards, including Best Production (Center Rep Theatre); five Sarasota Magazine Theater Award nominations (Florida Studio Theatre); and two Los Angeles Ovation Award Nominations (the Colony Theatre). The Sacramento Bee named 80 Days Best Theatrical Comedy of 2004.

As an actor, Mark Brown can be seen in Out of Sight (with George Clooney), Holy Man (with Eddie Murphy and Jeff Goldblum) and Amy's O (Winner Best Film: Santa Barbara Film Festival). Notable TV credits include the Emmy Award-winning series "From the Earth to the Moon" (with Tom Hanks), "House," "Ally McBeal," "Providence," "Diagnosis Murder," and countless commercials and made-for-TV films.

"We are thrilled to host Mark Brown for 2011 PlayFest," says Helsinger. "If Quixote is anything like Around the World in 80 Days, The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge, and China, the audience is in for a howling good time. I know we'll be laughing a lot in rehearsal!"

For an in-depth look at the PlayFest Readings, Workshops, and Special Events, please visit http://orlandoshakes.org/plays-events/playfest/index.html.

KEYNOTE EVENT

A Chat With Mark Brown - $10
Friday, April 8 from 7 - 8:30 p.m.
Margeson Theater

Former Orlando resident and PlayFest veteran, playwright Mark Brown (Around the World in 80 Days, The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge, and China - The Whole Enchilada) returns to the Margeson Stage for an Inside the Actor's Studio format conversation with Orlando Shakespeare Theater Artistic Director Jim Helsinger. We will also be presenting MR. Brown's new play, Don Quixote - The Reckoning as one of our two workshops during PlayFest.

FULL PRODUCTION

Charm
By Kathleen Cahill | Directed by Patrick Flick
Goldman Theater | March 23 to April 17, 2011
Sponsored by Darden Foundation, LarsonAllen, Regions Bank, and UBS.

Wednesdays, Thursdays at 7 p.m., Fridays, Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m.
Previews $14; Wed/Thu/Sun $34, $28, $22; Fri/Sat evenings $38, $32, $26

Romantic Comedy - Margaret Fuller and the Transcendentalists are not a rock group. And Charm isn't your typical history play; but Margaret is the woman who inspired Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter. Directed by Patrick Flick, Kathleen Cahill's Charm is a romantic comedy of manners that follows the life of Margaret Fuller, a remarkable feminist who lived in the mid-1800s. Full of luscious language and juicy anachronisms, Charm is a modern, hilarious and stimulating piece that magically weaves in and out of history. Parental guidance suggested for anyone under 18. Strong language and sexual content.

WORKSHOPS - Cost: $10

Don Quixote - The Reckoning
By Mark Brown | Directed by Jim Helsinger
Saturday, April 9 from 3 - 5:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 10 from 7 - 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 16 from 2 - 4:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 17 from 7 - 9:30 p.m.

Glassheart
By Reina Hardy | Directed by Laurel Clark
Saturday, April 9 from 8:30 - 11 p.m.
Sunday, April 10 from 4 - 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 16 from 8 - 10:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 17 from 4 - 6:30 p.m.

READINGS - Cost: $5

Anno Menander
By Ross Maxwell | Directed by Patrick Braillard
Sunday, April 10 from 12 - 2:30 p.m. and Saturday, April 16 from 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Bakersfield Mist | A National New Play Network Showcase Selection
Written and Directed By Stephen Sachs
Presented by the Fountain Theatre - Los Angeles, CA
Saturday, April 9 from 6 - 8:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 10 from 7 - 9:30 p.m.

Do Not Go Gentle...
By Patricia Cornelius | Directed by Patrick Flick
In Partnership with PlayWriting Australia
Sunday, April 10 from 3 - 5:30 p.m. and Wednesday, April 13 from 7 - 9:30 p.m.

Exit, Pursued by a Bear
By Lauren Gunderson | Directed by David Karl Lee
Thursday, April 14 from 7 - 9:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 17 from 4 - 6:30 p.m.

Jericho | A National New Play Network Showcase Presentation
By Jack Canfora | Directed by John DiDonna
Saturday, April 9 from 12 - 2:30 p.m. and Saturday, April 16 from 5 - 7:30 p.m.
ReEntry
By Emily Ackerman & KJ Sanchez | Director To Be Announced
Saturday, April 16 from 2 - 4:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 17 from 1 - 3:30 p.m.

Sweet Water Taste
By Gloria Bond Clunie | Directed by Paula Rossman
Saturday, April 9 from 3 - 5:30 p.m. and Tuesday, April 12 from 7:30 - 10 p.m.

The Exit Interview
By William Missouri Downs | Directed by Michael Marinaccio
Friday, April 15 from 7:30 - 10 p.m. and Sunday, April 17 from 1 - 3:30 p.m.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Fringe 101 - How to Fringe | Cost: $20
Presented by Orlando Fringe Artistic Director, Beth Marshall
Saturday, April 9 from 12 - 3 p.m.

Play in a Day - A Fun-Raiser for PlayFest | Cost: $10
Hosted by Orlando Fringe Artistic Director, Beth Marshall
Monday, April 11 - 7 p.m.

Playwright's Panel - What is the Role of the Producer in New Play Development? | Cost: FREE!
Mandell Theater | Sunday, April 17 from 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

All Events take place at the John & Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center, 812 East Rollins Street, Orlando, FL 32803.

PlayFest tickets are available starting Tuesday, March 15, 2011 by calling 407-447-1700 or online at http://orlandoshakes.org and in person at the box office located inside the Lowndes Shakespeare Center, 812 East Rollins Street in Orlando's Loch Haven Cultural Park. Box Office hours are 12pm to show time, Tuesday-Saturday, and one hour prior to show time on Sundays for walk up sales. On non-performance days, the Box Office closes at 5pm. The Box Office is closed on Mondays.

PlayFest is made possible through the generous support of title sponsor Harriett Lake. Other sponsors include Frank Santos and Dan Dantin, Ingrid and Coleman Cordell, and The National New Play Network. Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF is supported by United Arts of Central Florida with funds from the United Arts campaign and by State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Arts Council.

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