FST Announces Winter Season

September 13, 2021 – Sarasota

Florida Studio Theatre (FST) is proud to announce the lineup for its 48^th Winter Season, featuring a four-show Mainstage Series and a three-show Cabaret Series. The Mainstage Series features one of the most successful Rock & Roll musicals of all time, an Olivier Award-winning comedy, a World Premiere, and an Off-Broadway hit. The Cabaret Series features two all-new musical revues celebrating the lyric poets of the 20^th century day followed by a political satire-inspired comedy set to music. A Season schedule at a glance follows this release.

FST was one of the first producing theatres in the United States to reopen for live indoor performances in 2021, including special presentations of two musical revues as well as a complete six-show Summer Season. Now, FST is thrilled to open its full Winter Mainstage and Winter Cabaret Series.

One of the most successful Rock & Roll musicals of all time, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, kicks off FST’s Mainstage Series on November 3 in FST’s Gompertz Theatre. Buddy tells the story of Buddy Holly’s spectacular journey from performing on his local radio station in Lubbock, TX, to topping the national charts with “That’ll Be the Day.” Called “Rockin’ happiness” by Chicago Tribune, Buddy features over a dozen of Holly’s greatest hits—including “Peggy Sue” and “Everyday”—brought to life by a cast of actor-musicians.

“Our production of Buddy will be different from almost any other production people have seen,” said Hopkins. “Instead of having a separate live band that accompanies the cast, we’ll be doing a distilled version of the play where all eight actors play their own instruments. This will create a more intimate and entertaining experience for the audience.” 

Next on the Mainstage is the World Premiere of America in One Room by Emmy Nominee Jason Odell Williams. This fast-paced new comedy follows eight strangers who attend the America in One Room convention, which promises discussion a variety of topics—from immigration to foreign policy. As soon as the event starts, sparks fly and tempers flare. Everyone is convinced they are right. Inspired by the 2019 convention of the same name, America in One Room dissects recent headlines and our nation’s past to answer the question: what does it mean to be an American? Commissioned by FST in 2020, this thought-provoking new play begins December 8 in FST’s Keating Theatre.

“Members of our Playwright Collective—like Jason Odell Williams—are turning out new plays that support our mission to speak to the uncreated conscience of our nation,” said Hopkins. “This is exemplified by America in One Room, which gives an unbiased view of the many perspectives held by Americans in this time of change and transformation.”

Following this World Premiere is the Olivier Award-winning comedy The Play That Goes Wrong by Henry Lewis, Henry Shields, & Jonathan Sayer. In this play-within-a-play, eight thespians from the fictitious Cornley University struggle to make it through the opening night of a 1920s murder mystery titled The Murder at Haversham Manor. With an unconscious leading lady, a corpse that can’t play dead, and actors who trip over everything (including their lines), everything that can go wrong does go wrong. Called “The funniest play Broadway has ever seen!” by The Huffington Post, this international sensation runs in FST’s Gompertz Theatre starting January 19, 2022.

FST’s 48^th Mainstage Series comes to a close with The Legend of Georgia McBride by Obie Award-winning playwright Matthew Lopez. In this light-hearted musical comedy, an Elvis impersonator named Casey loses his job when his act is replaced with a B-level drag show. Soon Casey realizes that he has a lot to learn about both show business and himself. Called “Incredibly entertaining” by BroadwayWorld, Lopez’s high-energy play celebrating positivity and individuality begins March 30 in FST’s Gompertz Theatre.

In the Cabaret, FST presents two original musical revues celebrating the lyric poets of the 20^th century, along with an SNL-style sketch show set to music. 

“We need to laugh more today than ever before,” said Hopkins. “But one person’s laugh is another person’s insult, so comedy can be a bit of a risk…but we promise to be an equal opportunity offender.”

Opening FST’s Winter Cabaret Series is The Wanderers, an upbeat musical revue honoring the dynamic harmony groups of the ‘50s and the popular bands from the ‘60s they helped inspire. The Wanderers will transport audiences to simpler times with their tight harmonies, smooth moves, and matching jackets. Featuring such timeless hits as “At the Hop,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You,” and “With a Little Help From My Friends,” this charming revue begins playing in FST’s Court Cabaret on September 29.

Next up, FST shines a light on contemporary country musicians who transformed their genre and rocketed to the top of the charts in Friends in Low Places. This all-new Cabaret highlights artists like Garth Brooks and Miranda Lambert who spiked their honkytonk with Rock & Roll flair but never forgot country music’s roots. Featuring such songs as “Could I Have This Dance,” “Bluebird,” and “Good Hearted Woman,” this heartfelt revue begins November 17 in FST’s Goldstein Cabaret.

FST’s Winter Cabaret Series culminates with the sixth edition of Laughing Matters, a Saturday Night Live-style show set to music for Sarasota and inspired by the culture and politics of today. From the perpetual hunt for downtown parking to humanity’s endless quest to stay young, nothing and no one is safe from a good-spirited roast in this never-before-seen Cabaret. Laughing Matters plays in FST’s Court Cabaret starting February 9, 2022.

The health and safety of FST’s patrons, staff, volunteers, and artists are of the greatest importance to FST. Therefore, FST will be following all CDC guidelines. The most up-to-date list of measures the theatre is taking can be found at FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

With its mission to make theatre accessible to as many people as possible, FST offers all four Mainstage shows for as little as $69, and all three Cabarets for as little as $49. Subscriptions are now on sale at FloridaStudioTheatre.org or at 941.366.9000.