Orlando Shakespeare Theater to Present Steve Yockey's PLUTO, 2/27-3/23

Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF is proud to present Steve Yockey's Pluto, part of Harriett's New Play Series, from February 27 - March 23, 2014. In collaboration with Atlanta's Actor's Express and Washington, DC's Forum Theatre, Orlando Shakespeare Theater will produce the National New Play Network's (NNPN) 35th Rolling World Premiere through the Network's Continued Life of New Plays Fund. Directed by Mark Routhier, the production features Orlando actors John Connon, Jillian Gizzi, Heather Leonardi, Chris Metz, and Suzanne O'Donnell. Tickets ($17 and $25) can be purchased by calling the Box Office at (407) 447-1700, online at www.orlandoshakes.org, or in person at the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center in Loch Haven Park.

Single mother ElizaBeth Miller is having a bad day. A tree has crashed through her ceiling, the fridge is on the fritz, a forceful crowd threatens to invade her family's kitchen -- and then there's the odd new family pet! At the center of this chaos, time stands still as mother and son jump-start their relationship and try to confront reality together across the breakfast table.

"I am beyond thrilled to be directing Pluto," said Director of New Play Development Mark Routhier. "Our local cast is fantastic, and the design team is excited about bringing the mysterious world of this play to life."

This is not the first time Orlando Shakes will collaborate with playwright Steve Yockey. A workshop production of his play Heavier Than was presented as part of the annual new play reading festival, PlayFest, in April 2010. More recently, Feverish, a retelling of Phaedra and Hippolytus through a modern lens, was presented as a reading at November 2011's PlayFest and also directed by Mark Routhier. "Steve is a prolific and widely produced playwright," said Routhier. "His reputation for compelling, fresh, and original work will undoubtedly continue to grow."

Single tickets are available by calling (407) 447-1700, online at http://www.orlandoshakes.org, or in person at the Box Office located inside the Lowndes Shakespeare Center, 812 East Rollins Street in Orlando's Loch Haven Cultural Park.

Harriett's New Play Series is made possible through the generous support of Harriett Lake. Pluto is sponsored by Frank Santos & Dan Dantin. Orlando Shakespeare Theater is supported by United Arts of Central Florida, host of power2give.org/centralflorida, and the collaborative Campaign for the Arts. Orlando Shakespeare Theater is also sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture.