Rob Keefe’s The Cortez Method Receives World Premiere At Orlando Shakespeare Theater

ORLANDO, Fla. - June 11, 2013 - PRLog -- Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF presents the world premiere of the dark comedy, The Cortez Method, written by Rob Keefe and directed by Mark Routhier. Having garnered attention at Orlando Shakes’ annual new play festival PlayFest, The Cortez Method will receive its official debut in Harriett’s New Play Series. The show runs August 29 – September 22, 2013 in the Mandell Studio Theater at the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center. Tickets, priced at $17 – $25, are on sale now at (407) 447-1700 or www.orlandoshakes.org.

The Cortez Method is a darkly comedic piece that questions what happens when bad decisions are made for the right reasons. Sara and Bill are eagerly awaiting the arrival of their new baby, when an unexpected visit from Bill’s older brother, Walter, upends their hopeful future by shedding light on their troubled past. Keefe’s play forces audiences to deal with infidelity, prescription drugs, home improvement, and the dysfunctional family in the middle of it all.

Mark Routhier, Orlando Shakespeare Theater’s Director of New Play Development, first came in contact with The Cortez Method when he played Walter in a New Orleans’ workshop. He was struck by the play’s sense of humor and Sara’s visceral need to make a family. Routhier brought the script to Artistic Director Jim Helsinger, who agreed to put it in PlayFest last year.

“Our audience reaction to the reading was passionate [and] the post-show discussion was charged,” said Routhier. “I am looking forward to digging into this play and finding more of its humor, its darkness, and its depth with our talented cast.”

Orlando Shakespeare Theater first presented The Cortez Method as a staged reading at PlayFest in November 2012. A nationally recognized new play festival, PlayFest focuses on the creative process from page to the stage and affords the playwright the opportunity to work with top directors and actors in Orlando and beyond.
Orlando Shakespeare Theater’s production features actor Patrick Ryan Sullivan as Bill and Suzanne O’Donnell as Sara. The creative team includes Scenic Designer Robbin Watts, Costume Designer Molly Walz, Lighting Designer Mary Heffernan, and Sound Designer George Hamrah.

ABOUT ROB KEEFE
Rob Keefe is a graduate of Boston University’s School for the Arts and trained at the National Theatre of Great Britain. As an Artist-In-Residence with George Coates Performance Works, he developed Right Mind, The Architecture of Catastrophic Change, and Invisible Site. His plays The Official Show-¬ Now with Blimp and A Floating Roof ran in NYC’s The Producers’ Club and the Chelsea Playhouse respectively. His television credits include writer and cast member for the MSG Network’s Sportskabob and co-host/writer for Real Simple on PBS for WGBH Boston. Keefe’s sketch comedy Meet the Pocket Subversives and Improving the Species was performed at the West Bank Theatre in NY and the Improv in LA. He has written several plays for San Francisco’s Thrillpeddlers including Slight Tingling, The Empress of Colma, and The Phantom Limb. The National Arts Club named No Real Distance as a finalist for the Playwrights First Award and Parenthecide; (A Version) received a grant from the Skaggs foundation. The Twisted Pair was commissioned by Thrillpeddlers and Brazil’s Vigor Mortis to be performed in San Francisco and Rio de Janiero in 2013.

DISCOUNTS
Group Sales: 20% off groups of 10+, ext. 265
Student Rush: $10 - 30 minutes prior to show w/ valid student ID
Military/Student Price: $10 off single ticket prices

THURSDAY TALK BACK
Stay after the show on September 12, 2013 for a moderated discussion with The Cortez Method cast and members of the artistic team.

ADDITIONAL PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
Preview Dates: August 29 and 30 at 7:30 p.m.
Opening Night: August 31 at 7:30 p.m.
Senior Matinee:  September 4 at 2 p.m.

Single tickets, season subscriptions, and Season Flex Passes 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.

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.