Florida Rep Opens Their 20th Season with Romantic Comedy

Florida Repertory Theatre is pleased to announce the opening of its 20th anniversary season with "Outside Mullingar," a delightful romantic comedy by John Patrick Shanley, the Pulitzer Prize and Tony-Winning author of "Doubt" and "Moonstruck."

The production runs in the ArtStage Studio Theatre Sept. 22 to Oct. 22 with four nearly-sold-out previews Sept. 19-21. New for the 2017-2018 season, all weeknight performances (Tues.-Thurs.) begin at 7 PM.

"Outside Mullingar" unfolds in the picturesque, Irish countryside and follows the unlikely romance of two lovable misfits. Anthony Reilly and Rosemary Muldoon are farmers who haven't got a clue when it comes to love. These hopeless singletons will need to overcome a bitter land feud, old family rivalries, and their own romantic fears before they can find happiness. Full of humor and poetic prose, John Patrick Shanley's tenderhearted portrait reminds us it's never too late to take a chance on love.

"This is the perfect play to open our 20th season," said Producing Artistic Director, Robert Cacioppo. "Not only is it a masterfully written love story, but it brings together some of Florida Rep's most beloved ensemble members both onstage and in the creative team. This play is witty, charming, and was written by one of the best American writers working today. You are in for a treat."

"Outside Mullingar" features Florida Rep ensemble members Rachel Burttram, Brendan Powers, and Viki Boyle, as well as guest artist, Martin LaPlatney, who returns after appearing in Florida Rep's nationally acclaimed production of "One Slight Hitch" in 2016. Longtime ensemble members, Burttram and Powers worked together for the first time in Florida Rep's 2008 production of John Patrick Shanley's "Doubt," and have been seen numerous times since. Burttram was last seen in "Best of Enemies" and "The House of Blue Leaves," and Powers in "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" and "The Mousetrap." Viki Boyle returns after appearances in "To Kill a Mockingbird" and "Over the River and Through the Woods."

Chris Clavelli, another longtime ensemble member, directs the production after past successes with Florida Rep's nationally acclaimed productions of "The Cocktail Hour," "The House of Blue Leaves," and "One Slight Hitch." Clavelli is joined by an expert team of designers including ensemble set designer, Ray Recht ("The Cocktail Hour"), costume designer, Alexandria Vazquez ("Erma Bombeck: At Wit's End"), ensemble lighting designer, Todd O. Wren ("Too Marvelous For Words"), Sound Designer, John Kiselica ("Shear Madness"), and ensemble production stage manager, Janine Wochna ("To Kill a Mockingbird").

"Outside Mullingar" plays in the ArtStage Studio Theatre Sept. 22-Oct. 22 with four nearly sold-out previews Sept. 19 at 7PM, Sept. 20 at 2PM and 7PM, and Sept. 21 at 7PM. Performances are Tuesday-Thursday at 7PM, Friday-Saturday at 8PM, with matinees on Thursday, Sunday, and selected Saturdays at 2PM.

Priced at $55/$45 and $35/$25 for previews, single tickets are now on sale through the box office at 239-332-4488 and online at www.floridarep.org. Subscriptions for the 2017-2018 season offer the best seats and the biggest savings, and packages start as low as $150 for 6 plays.

Florida Repertory Theatre performs in the Historic Arcade Theatre and the ArtStage Studio Theatre on Bay St. between Jackson & Hendry with limited free parking in the Fort Myers River District. Visit Florida Rep online at FloridaRep.org, and by following the company on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Youtube.

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