Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF, in association with the National New Play Network (NNPN), presents the World Premiere comedy of the taboo, The Exit Interview, written by William Missouri Downs and directed by Patrick Flick. Featuring a standout cast of Orlando actors, The Exit Interview begins previews on September 27 and runs from September 29 – October 21, 2012 in the Mandell Studio Theater at the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center. Tickets, priced at $17 – $22, are on sale now at (407) 447-1700 or www.orlandoshakes.org. The Exit Interview is a fearlessly ambitious, extraordinarily witty, and insatiably inquisitive piece about the power and glory of facts, faith, and fate in the 21st century. The Big Three—Religion, Sex and Politics—are the main targets in one of the funniest and smartest contemporary comedies in years. Dick Fig is getting the hatchet from an unctuous HR pawn at a nameless university. His exit interview gets off to a rocky start when a masked gunman rampages through the campus. Downs' play ricochets through Brechtian interludes, a pair of politically-radicalized cheerleaders, a pompous newsman, and two German doctors debating science and religion on C-SPAN, all before reaching its surprising conclusion. "Downs’ play asks ‘What is truth?’ and ‘Who is telling the truth?’," says Patrick Flick. "We’re hoping the themes brought up in the play will spark an energetic curiosity and prompt discussion after the show – on the way home from the Theater and for the many days ahead.” Orlando Shakespeare Theater first presented The Exit Interview as a workshop production at PlayFest! The Harriett Lake Festival of New Plays in April 2011. A nationally recognized 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 Shakes submitted The Exit Interview to the National New Play Network (NNPN) where it garnered interest from multiple regional theaters and was selected as a rolling World Premiere as part of their Continued Life program. The Exit Interview first opens at Orlando Shakespeare Theater as part of their new Studio Series, with subsequent premieres at San Diego Repertory Theatre, InterAct Theatre Company, Riverside Theatre, The Salt Lake Acting Company, and Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte. Orlando Shakespeare Theater’s production features Orlando actors Michael Marinaccio as Dick Fig and Anitra Pritchard as Eunice, as well as Janine Klein, Lauren Butler, Nathan Sebens, and Alexander Mrazek. The creative team includes Scenic Designer Robbin Watts, Costume Designer Corrine Walsh, Lighting Designer Mary Heffernan, and Sounds Designer Britt Sandusky. Single tickets 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. The Exit Interview is made possible by Jim and Valerie Shapiro. 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.