VIDEO: Sneak Peek at THE LUCKIEST PEOPLE at Orlando Shakespeare Theater

Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF (Orlando Shakes) has announced that Meridith Friedman's The Luckiest People will be the final Signature Series production in its upcoming 29th Season.

The Luckiest People will be presented in the Goldman Theater from March 28 - April 29, 2018. Tickets are available now online at www.orlandoshakes.org, by phone at (407) 447-1700 ext. 1, or in person at the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center (812 East Rollins Street).

The Luckiest People begins immediately after the death of a family matriarch. Though he just lost his mother, Richard is blindsided when his elderly father Oscar suddenly plans to leave his assisted living facility and move in with him. With his sister Laura living in Shanghai, and Richard soon to become a first time father with his partner David, he is less than thrilled at the prospect of housing his difficult father. Full of laughter, love, and pain, The Luckiest People shows the trials that test and hold together the bonds of family.

The Luckiest People was first presented at Orlando Shakes in 2015 as a stage reading during PlayFest presented by Harriett's Charitable Trust. The play was a part of the Florida New Play Reading Tour, a project which was underwritten by NNPN. The tour was presented in collaboration with Orlando Shakes, Florida Studio Theatre, and Florida Repertory Theatre.

"The Luckiest People shines a light on that difficult time during middle age when adults are caring for children, parents, siblings and loved ones all at the same time," said Jim Helsinger, Artistic Director at Orlando Shakes. "Friedman's work explores it all with humor, compassion, love, and sensitivity."

Friedman's new play will replace the Theater's previously announced production of William Shakespeare's Timon of Athens, due to a reduction in state funding for arts and cultural-related activities.

The cast and creative team for Orlando Shakes' production of The Luckiest People will be announced at a later date.

Founded in 1989, Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF produces classic, contemporary, and children's plays. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Jim Helsinger and Managing Director PJ Albert, Orlando Shakes has grown into one of the region's most acclaimed professional Equity theaters, garnering national recognition from The Wall Street Journal's Terry Teachout. "Hence the high quality of Orlando Shakespeare, a company that deserves to be far more widely known outside Florida." With ambitious, high-caliber productions like 2016's West Side Story, Love's Labour's Lost and 2014's Les Miserables and Henry V, the Theater continues to provide an innovative world-class theatrical experience to its guests, while showcasing William Shakespeare's legacy as the cornerstone of the company. Orlando Shakes also offers immersive educational programming that serves Central Florida schools and the local community at large. For more information visit www.orlandoshakes.org.

Pictured: Headshot of Meridith Friedman provided by Abrams Artists Agency.

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