The Life and Death of the Amazing Captain Piledriver: A New Superhero Tale at the Overtime Theater

SAN ANTONIO, TX – Superheroes permeate our culture. They can be found in movies (Superman, Batman, Spiderman, Iron Man, The Incredibles), on TV (Heroes, Chuck, Smallville), videogames, even Youtube videos and pop songs. Except for theme parks, the larger-than-life stories of costumed heroes and villains are almost never portrayed in a mainstage theater production – until now.

"The Life & Death of the Amazing Captain Piledriver" opens May 14 at the Overtime Theater. Written by Scott McDowell and directed by Lupe Flores, this new, live-action show is a world premiere production.

In this original superhero tale, superpowers are a way of life in Excalibur City. But when the masks and secret identities come off, it's not uncommon for heroes and villains to be friends. When the city’s champion, Captain Piledriver, falls in battle, Excalibur City is left reeling. Now his girlfriend, Cobalt Girl and his best friend, the villainous Midnight Fiend, must cope with his death and try and find common ground, not knowing that a new problem is growing between them...love.

As described by director Flores, "The Life and Death of the Amazing Captain Piledriver" is different than the usual “origin of a superhero” tale.

“On the surface, ‘Captain Piledriver’ seems to be a fun if silly homage to the American superhero mythos,” Flores said. “There is, however, a sincere and realistic depiction of a developing relationship that serves as the core of the story. It's that sort of depiction of human emotion and what results from its expression which makes any narrative worth experiencing, no matter how far-fetched the setting.”

Scott McDowell is a San Antonio playwright whose works have been performed for enthusiastic crowds at the Overtime Theater and other local venues. His plays cover a wide range of genres from film noir ("The Hard Bargain"), to a teen comedy-monster movie mash-up ("Frankenstein in Love"), to Internet phenomena ("Pirates Vs. Ninjas: The Musical"), but are always leavened with a fan’s passion for pop culture, rapid-fire comic dialogue, and lots of heart.

The cast of "The Life & Death of the Amazing Captain Piledriver" includes:
Dru Barcus – The Midnight Fiend
Cynthia Davila – Cobalt Girl
Cary Farrow – The Human Shield
Amanda Bianchi – Queen Gladitoria
Liz Vermeulen – The Cougar
Scott McDowell – Captain Obvious
Rob Barron – Captain Piledriver
Jason Vela – Anchorman / Dr. Salt / more
Connie Vela – Anchorwoman / Barrista Girl / Dr. Monster Monster / more
Josh Kublie – Manuel / Barrista Boy / Cutlery Boy / more

Location: The Overtime Theater, in the Blue Star Complex, 1414 S. Alamo, #103, San Antonio, TX 78210.

Show Dates and Times: May 14, 2010 – June 5, 2010. 8 pm Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, with one 3 pm Sunday matinee on May 23. (No show on Friday, June 4.)

Information & Reservations: www.theovertimetheater.net, info@theovertimetheater.net, and (210) 557-7562.

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BIOGRAPHICAL INFO & OVERTIME THEATER HISTORY

Scott McDowell (Playwright) has been an active member in the S.A. theatre scene for almost 10 years now. Only recently has he begun playwriting ("The Hard Bargain," "Pirates Vs. Ninjas," "The Good Samaritan," "Frankenstein in Love"). When not acting, doing improv comedy, or playwriting, he can be found at his “normal” job as a firefighter for the city of San Antonio.

Lupe Flores (Director) recently directed McDowell’s short play “The Negotiators” for the Overtime Theater’s "The Ides of Texas" Playfest. He has served as a performer, director, stage manager, and sound designer for various San Antonio productions, and has had his written work produced in San Antonio, Austin, and in New York City.

About the Overtime Theater:
In business since late 2006, the Overtime Theater is dedicated to providing innovative and accessible entertainment at an affordable price. The shows are all new, original works, or new adaptations of old classics. In just three years, the Overtime has produced almost 30 new shows, including three original musicals: "Sheer Bloody Lunacy!," "Pirates Vs. Ninjas," and "The Brain That Wouldn’t Die: A New Musical." The Overtime Theater also collaborates with visual artists and the Bent Easel Gallery, giving local artists a prominent space in which to display their works in the Blue Star Complex. The Overtime Theater has now moved to non-profit status pending approval by the IRS. This decision has been made to extend the Overtime’s mission of “art for the people” to the greater community, including through planned, low-cost workshops in acting, playwriting, comedy improv skills, and art by working professionals.

The Overtime Theater
1414 S. Alamo St., #103
San Antonio, TX USA 78210
www.theovertimetheater.net

For more information, please contact Jon Gillespie, Overtime Theater Development Director, at info@theovertimetheater.net or call 210-557-7562.

This release was published on openPR.