CRT Present Regional Premiere of “Shipwrecked! An Entertainment”

For the fifth show in their 42nd annual summer season, Cortland Repertory Theatre will present the regional premiere of “Shipwrecked! An Entertainment – The Amazing Adventures of Louis de Rougemont, as told by himself.” Written by Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Donald Margulies, this play promises to be a unique theatrical experience for young and old alike.  Performances of this adventure tale will run from August 14 – 24 with evening performances at 7:30.  Matinees are available on August 16, 18, and 21 at 2:00 PM.  Tickets may be purchased by calling 800-427-6160 or at the CRT Box Office at 24 Port Watson Street in Cortland. Tickets are also available for sale 24 hours a day through the CRT website at www.cortlandrep.org.

Inspired by a true story (or at least a tale created by a real person), the play introduces the fascinating character of Louis de Rougemont, a self-proclaimed world explorer and adventurer.  This grand entertainer invites his audience to hear his amazing story of bravery, survival and celebrity that left nineteenth-century England spellbound.  Along with two other actors (who may or may not be figments of his imagination) Louis dares his audience to be whisked away in a story of the high seas, populated by exotic islanders, flying wombats, giant sea turtles and a monstrous man-eating octopus!

Starting life as a sickly, sheltered child with an over-protective mother, Louis yearns for adventures like the ones he reads about in “Robinson Crusoe” and “The Arabian Nights”. As a young man, he joins the crew of a pearling expedition where he meets his faithful dog and life-long companion, Bruno. Then their journey really begins! As the story progresses, their adventures become extravagantly grand and imaginative. However, because Louis is telling his tale from the safety of his own attic, surrounded by the comfort of his books and bric-a-brac, the audience is left to question if even they are real in the mind of Louis. “Shipwrecked!” is a unique theatrical experience that examines how far we are willing to blur the line between fact and fiction in order to leave our mark on the world.

Directing the show is long-time CRT director Bill Kincaid, whose previous work includes “The Drawer Boy”, “Six Dance Lessons In Six Weeks”, and “Chicago”, to name a few.  Playing Louis is Homer resident and professional actor Kim Hubbard, who has been seen on the CRT stage in “Cats”, “Brigadoon” and previously “Chester and Grace”. Portraying Louis’ two fellow storytellers are Justin Charles and Monique St. Cyr, both making their CRT debuts.

Jahana Azodi continues her season as stage manager. Jason Bolen returns as scenic designer, having previously designed “Buddy” and “The Full Monty” earlier this summer.  Fresh from “The 1940’s Radio Hour” are Wendi Zea as Costume Designer, Greg Solomon as Lighting Designer, Lisa Guild as Props Designer and Seth Asa Sengel as Sound Designer. Technical Director Nicholas Ryan and Assistant Stage Manager Kait Samuels continue their summer work.

CRT continues “Friday Night Talk Backs” at which a Q & A session with the actors, designers and crew takes place after every Friday evening performance. Tickets are also on sale for the final CRT show of the summer, “I’ll Be Back Before Midnight”.