Coronado Playhouse to Open Revenge Comedy Inspired by Shakespeare

Coronado Playhouse will open its latest production next month, “Exit, Pursued by a Bear,” a dark revenge comedy written by playwright Lauren Gunderson and director Kira Blaskovich.

The 90-minute, one-act dark comedy, inspired by stage direction from William Shakespeare’s “The Winter’s Tale,” will run every weekend from Aug. 16 to Sept. 8.

“Exit, Pursued by a Bear” explores the story of Nan, who plots with her two best friends — a gay man who sports a cheerleader costume and a stripper with a love of Shakespeare — to remove her abusive husband from her life, a plot involving honey, meat and bears.

“Last year, I chose to direct ‘Ripcord’ because it was a story of people who seemed vastly different finding common ground and a deep understanding of each other,” Blaskovich said. “This play takes that theme and expands it. At its core, it is about how we can see each other through the lens of empathy, even when so much baggage is piled up between us.”

Gunderson is an award-winning writer and has been recognized as America’s most produced living playwright, having over 20 plays produced. The show will be directed by Kira Blaskovich, marking her second directorial project at Coronado Playhouse following “Ripcord” last year. Blaskovich is an award-winning actor with over 25 years in the performing arts, including multiple Coronado Playhouse’s productions.

“Exit, Pursued by a Bear” aims to bring a unique blend of humor and self-reflection, and Blaskovich hopes audiences leave feeling uplifted.

“This play inspires its characters toward self-examination and hope — hope that, by making different choices, we can acknowledge our mistakes, forgive ourselves and each other and move on to a brighter future,” Blaskovich said.