The spellbinding tales of exotic islanders, flying wombats and a monstrous man-eating octopus will be shared when adventurer Louis de Rougemont visits UCF on Nov. 14-24 – but listeners should remember not to let the truth get in the way of a good story.

Theatre UCF invites anyone with a good imagination to its next production, Shipwrecked! An Entertainment — The Amazing Adventures of Louis de Rougement (As Told by Himself), an astounding story of bravery, survival – and a little bit of embellishment.

Written by Donald Margulies, author of several plays including Dinner with Friends, which won the 2000 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Shipwrecked! is an adaptation of the Victorian memoirs of the main character. It is suitable for imaginative audiences of all ages.

Director Mark Brotherton expects the audience to connect with the show at the Black Box Theatre because the performance has its basis in storytelling.  

“We all grew up with people telling us stories – before we go to bed, sitting around a campfire, listening to our grandparents in front of the fireplace,” Brotherton said. “Shipwrecked uses this device of storytelling and then adds elements of theatre to make it even more exciting.”

And in this account, the play examines how far we’re willing to blur the line between fact and fiction to be remembered.

Eric Earley, a junior in the BFA acting program at UCF, said he was drawn to perform in the play because it pulled him into the adventurer’s world, which stretches over more than a half century of the storyteller’s life.

“I feel blessed to tell this man’s amazing adventure night after night,” Early said. “Louis and I are more similar then different. I find it so much fun to play Louis because of how full of wonder and excitement he is. A lot of that wonder and excitement is what drives me as a person as well.

Brotherton said his favorite part of working on the show was the way the cast, crew and production team added to the process of creating the show.

“We listened to all ideas and incorporated as many of them as we could. It is definitely an ensemble piece,” he said.

Production at a glance

Shipwrecked! An Entertainment — The Amazing Adventures of Louis de Rougement (As Told by Himself)

Playwright: Donald Margulies

Directed by Mark Brotherton

8 p.m. Nov. 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23

2 p.m. Nov. 17, 24

Black Box Theatre

(Theatre patrons attending the Nov. 21 performance need to allow extra time to get to the theatre because of a football game on campus. Patrons should park in Lots B4 or B6. A parking permit, which will email to you by Theatre UCF before the performance, will be required. Print it out and have it displayed on your dashboard while on campus. Golf cart shuttles will be available in the parking lot to take passengers to the theater.)

Price: Standard $20, Senior $18, Student $10; Group discounts available

Address: 4000 Central Florida Blvd., Orlando FL 32816

Box Office Phone: 407-823-1500

Box Office Hours: Monday through Friday:  noon to 5 p.m. and 2 hours before performances                                    

For more information about Theatre UCF, visit http://theatre.ucf.edu.