The March of the Kitefliers

By Neil Gobioff & Shawn Paonessa
Directed by Kari Goetz
Mar. 29 - Apr. 15, 2007
Thu. - Sat. 8pm, Sun. 4pm
Single tickets: $19.50 - $24.50
Shimberg Playhouse, TBPAC

"There are those who think that trivial things like kites are governed by uncontrollable forces of physics and nature. And there are those who know better," says the mercurial character Jack in The March of the Kitefliers.

When Sam (Shawn Paonessa) graduated from college with a double major in art and marketing, he had big dreams of a career in advertising. The corporate world submitted him to a mediocre job, while he chronically pursued his dreams through vivid fantasy.

When Julia (Meg Heimstead) walks into his life, Sam is suddenly forced to decide whether to finally grow up and pursue the woman he loves, or follow the footsteps of his best friend, Jack (David M. Jenkins), who lives in a perpetual state of childhood. What ensues is an endearing romantic comedy and a hilarious post-modern satire that asks, "Who are we really, and what ever happened to the dreamers within us when we were children?"

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Kitefliers has similarities to two other romantic comedies: Chasing Amy and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Those familiar with Chasing Amy writer Kevin Smith's work will undoubtedly identify with Kitefliers protagonists Sam and Jack – one stuck in a dead end job and the other a comic strip artist. Conversations about cult films like Star Wars and Blue Velvet are interspersed with clever dialogue about relationships, the nature of existence and bad poetry. Like Eternal Sunshine..., Kitefliers is infused with a few dark twists along the way, and the difference between real and perceived is almost never clear.

The Triumphant Return

The production originally underwent a 20-month process from first draft to opening night. The writers, director and cast participated in numerous meetings, readings and workshops to refine, finesse and edit the script.

Since the closing of the original production, the writers and director have re-evaluated every element of production in order to bring Tampa, and hopefully the rest of the country, an even better, tighter play. There are distinct changes to this new script, including massive overhauls to a few key scenes.

"They have truly done an outstanding job of delivering a top-notch play," says Jenkins. "Our original production resonated intensely not only with our 30-something audience core, but with all ages."

Jobsite is inviting film and theater industry professionals in an attempt to give Kitefliers a life far past Tampa. "This play is something very special," Jenkins adds. "Anyone who's been involved with it in any way at all - from actor to audience to usher - can tell you the power it has. We believe this is still just the beginning for this play."

The Power of the Patron

The power of the play can be measured in part by the public outcry sparked when alt-weekly Creative Loafing theater critic Mark E. Leib gave away critical plot spoilers in his review after being specifically requested not to do so by Jobsite's Producing Artistic Director. The Creative Loafing office was subsequently inundated with phone calls and emails from angry theatergoers - some who had already seen the show and some who hadn't - who were outraged. The situation earned Jobsite Theater patrons "Most Impassioned Theater Fans" from the paper's next Best of the Bay issue. The run also broke all records for any original production ever mounted in the theater.

This show contains adult language. Patron discretion is advised.

About the Cast & Crew

Neil Gobioff and Shawn Paonessa have been perennial contributors to past original productions including The Curse of Millhaven (featured in Murder Ballads) and Learning Swerve (Y2K), for which they were voted Best Playwright in Weekly Planet's 1999 Best of the Bay Reader's Poll.

The March of the Kitefliers is directed by Second City veteran and current Jobsite Artistic Associate Kari Goetz. In addition to Heimstead, Jenkins (voted Best Actor in Weekly Planet's 2001 Best of the Bay Reader's Poll) and Paonessa, the show stars Summer Bohnenkamp-Jenkins, Jason Vaughan Evans, Chris Holcom (voted Best Actor in Weekly Planet's 2002 Best of the Bay Reader's Poll) and Katrina Stevenson (voted Best Actress in Weekly Planet's 2004 Best of the Bay Reader's Poll).

It features lights by John Lott, sets by Brian Smallheer and costumes by Weekly Planet's 2004 Pundit's Pick Best of the Bay award-winning designer Katrina Stevenson.

Season Tickets

The March of the Kitefliers is part of Jobsite's 2006-07 Mainstage Season and is eligible to be part of a Jobsite Season Ticket package. To see how you can save up to 20% off tickets to The March of the Kitefliers and other Jobsite productions, click here.