Playwrights' Round Table to Premiere New Award-Winning Play [MISS]

Playwrights' Round Table is proud to present [Miss], an award-winning new play about an infamous drug case that rocked the world in the early 1960s. Drawing on court testimony, lawsuit filings and secret corporate documents, some of them only recently uncovered,[Miss] follows FDA researcher Dr. Frances Oldham Kelsey (Nicole Darden Creston) as she reviews a new drug application submitted by doctors from the William S. Merrell Company (Russell Trahan and Jeff Hole) for the world's first safe sleeping pill.

Despite the drug having already been approved in 46 countries, Kelsey senses something is wrong and delays approval. While Merrell focuses its formidable power on destroying Kelsey, an Ohio family, the Yoders (Hayes Schardt and Tim Wiley), tragically discover the real-world effects of the drug. [Miss] is a gripping tale about the challenges women face in science and in life, medical malfeasance, pharmaceutical company misdeeds, and the ability of one woman to make a difference.

PRT President Chuck Dent, who also directs the play, remarks: "One of the things that drew PRT to [Miss] is that it tells a timely and emotionally powerful story without preaching. William lets you see it all unfold as the characters experience, and it hits hard. We really believe it'll be one of the most talked-about plays of the year in Orlando."

In addition to being selected for PRT's Premiere Series, [Miss] recently won the prestigious Southeastern Theatre Conference's Charles M. Getchell Award as the Best New Play of 2017. PRT's production will be the play's first extended run, but, says Dent, "I can see this one having a long life. It's the type of play that sticks with you. I wouldn't doubt at all that many theaters will eventually produce it. I'm really honored that PRT will be doing it as part of our 20th Anniversary Season."

About the Playwright:

W. L. Newkirk's recent award-winning stage plays include: East Lansing (Best Play, 2014 Tampa Bay Theatre Festival),"5 to 4" (Best Play, 2015 4 X 6 Fest),"In Me" (2015 Vigoda Award, Best Dramedy), Suffocation (Grand Prize, 2016 Emerald Theatre Company New Play Festival), and My Strange Journey (Nominee, Best Production, 2016 Pittsburgh New Works Festival). He holds degrees from the Ohio State University and Harvard where he was a John Harvard Scholar and Lecturer. He is a member of the Dramatists Guild.

For reservations or more information call 407-761-2683 or email us at info@theprt.com. Cash and credit cards accepted at the door (no checks please). Presale ticket orders can be made at OrlandoAtPlay.com.

What: PRT Premiere Series featuring W.L. Newkirk's [Miss]

When: April 21st-23rd and 28th-30th, 2017 (8 PM Friday and Saturday, 3 PM Sunday)

Where: The Santos Dantin Studio Theater at the Orlando Shakespeare Center, 812. E. Rollins Street, Orlando FL

Price: $18 general admission, $15 Students, Seniors 55+ and military with ID

Photo Credit: Nicole Darden Creston and Russell Trahan rehearse a scene from WL Newkirk's [Miss]. Photo -- Chuck Dent

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