Island City Stage Premieres MR. PARKER By Michael McKeever

Themes of love and loss are at the heart of the new play, "Mr. Parker" by Michael McKeever being given its world premiere at Island City Stage.

Both touchingly funny and dramatic, the play finds Terry Parker, age 54 at a crossroads in his life. Suddenly single and unable to adjust to a world that has moved on without him, he wakes up one morning with a 28-year-old man he met the night before. What starts out as a one-night stand becomes a journey of self-discovery for a man trying to move forward with the pressures of being middle-aged, gay and alone in the ever-changing landscape of today's America.

McKeever, a multiple Carbonell and Silver Palm award winner, serves double duty here as both playwright and actor. "Michael and Island City Stage have a strong partnership that goes back almost to our beginning. He brings out the best in us and had been associated with some of our most successful productions," said Artistic Director Andy Rogow. "He earned a Carbonell for Best Actor in a Play for our production of "The Timekeepers" and was also featured in "The Pride". He won another Carbonell for Best New Play for "Daniel's Husband". In addition he has written many short plays for our "Shorts Gone Wild" annual series."

McKeever stars alongside another Carbonell Award winner, Margot Moreland, and newcomer Samuel Maya. The production is being helmed by Associate Artistic Director Michael Leeds with scenic and lighting design by Dean Landhuis, costume design by Peter Lovello and sound design by David Hart.

"Mr. Parker" begins previews Jun. 14 and 15 at 8:00pm with a press and Carbonell opening on Saturday, Jun. 16 at 8:00pm. The production runs through July 15 with performances on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm and Sundays at 5:00pm at Island City Stage, 2304 N Dixie Hwy. in Wilton Manors. For tickets and information go to islandcitystage.org or call the box office at 954-519-2533.