The March of the Kitefliers
By Neil Gobioff & Shawn Paonessa
Directed by Kari Goetz
Thu. – Sat. 8pm, Sun. 4pm
The Triumphant Return
Mar. 29 – Apr. 15, 2007
World Premiere
August 5 – 21, 25 & 26, 2005
Tickets: $19.50 – $24.50
Shimberg Playhouse, Straz Center for the Performing Arts
“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?”
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.
Media
CreLo Talks 20 Years with Jobsite
CreLo’s 3-part series on 20 years of Jobsite.
All good things …
As I walked up to New World Brewery last night after the show, I was a little pissed to see Crash sitting at the door
Your daily dose of Kitefliers
Last night was a great, if not downright strange at times, evening in the theater. We have a group of about 60 college kids in
Kitefliers update 4/8
Don’t forget our buy one, get one free offer for today’s 4pm show! Does half-price sound better to you? It’s the same thing, but whatever
11 die in Pakistan kite festival
This is just totally one of those News of the Weird things when you have feeds coming to you for various permutations of “kites, kite,
Gallery
Previews
Original Production Preview – The Tampa Tribune
Original Production Preview – St. Petersburg Times
Sky’s the Limit for Locally Written Production – Tampa Tribune
Kitefliers Breezes Back to the Bay Area – St. Petersburg Times
Slacker Jack is at it Again – tbt*
Flying High – Creative Loafing
Cast & Crew
- Kari Goetz – Director
- Neil Gobioff – Co-playwright
- Shawn Paonessa – Co-playwright
- Erica Porch – Stage Manager
Cast
- Summer Bohnenkamp – Rita, et. al.
- Jason Evans – Toady, et. al.
- Meg Heimstead – Julia
- Chris Holcom – Tommy, et. al.
- David M. Jenkins – Jack
- Shawn Paonessa – Sam
- Katrina Stevenson – Jane, et. al.
Vocal Artists
- Rob Broadwater
- Lynda Davis
Crew
- Jaime Giangrande-Holcom – Assistant Director
- John Lott – Light Designer
- Matt Lunsford – Assistant Stage Manager/ Assistant Set Designer
- Brian M. Smallheer – Set Designer
- Katrina Stevenson – Costume Designer
World Premiere Cast & Crew
- Kari Goetz – Director
- Neil Gobioff – Co-playwright
- Shawn Paonessa – Co-playwright
- Jaime Giangrande-Holcom – Stage Manager
Cast
- Summer Bohnenkamp – Rita, et. al.
- Jason Evans – Tommy, et. al.
- Meg Heimstead – Julia
- Chris Holcom – Tommy, et. al.
- David M. Jenkins – Jack
- Shawn Paonessa – Sam
- Stephen Ray – Keith, et. al
- Katrina Stevenson – Jane, et. al.
Vocal Artists
- Rob Broadwater
- Lynda Davis
Crew
- John Pinckard – Light Designer
- Brian M. Smallheer – Set Designer
- Katrina Stevenson – Costume Designer
Patron Reviews
- Bravo!!!!! We had a great time at the show and thoroughly enjoyed the performance. We've told a number of people about the show and even were inspired to become season ticket holders for the upcoming season. – John R. Streitmatter
- We had a phenomenal time last night. Congratulations on creating a innovative and utterly hilarious script – not to mention driving home a really great point. Wow, wow, wow.... I kept thinking to myself, 'wow. they really put effort into building this.' ...I hope I get to make it down to see the show again. The standing ovation was well deserved. Congratulations. – Tim Burke
- It was phenomenal! The show was hilarious! I laughed the whole way through. In fact between all my snorts and guffaws, I darn near peed my pants a few times. So if you go, bring your Depends. You'll need them.... And the show's message is great too. – Dawn Narramore
- Art matters. Divine art (that which reveals the soul) is vital. You guys did divine art. – Bradley Falk
- March of the Kitefliers was better than I ever expected. It was the first Jobsite performance for both me and my roommate. The acting, writing, directing and even production was so amazing that I apologize that I don't have the right words to express how impressed I was.... I can't wait to see another performance. You are all incredibly talented and Tampa is fortunate to have Jobsite here. – Jenny Weigle
- My wife couldn't stop talking about your play over the weekend to all our family. She really enjoyed it as did I. She had never been to a play before so she didn't know what to expect but she loved it. – Jacen Santiago
- Michelle and I attended Saturday's show, and we had not read a review. March of the Kitefliers was a masterpiece! We have been season ticket holders for several years now, this was absolutely one of the best top 3 plays and performances we have seen you all do. Keep up the great work and may all your original works be as big a hit as this was!! – Wayne and Michelle Smith
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