Florida Studio Theatre announces summer season lineup

Peter Goslik, Zak Edwards , Lauren Blackman , Taprena Michelle Augustine, and Carey Anderson in FST’s The World Goes ’Round (2013). Zak Edwards is returning to reprise his original role in FST’s The World Goes Round after playing it in 2013. MARIA LYLE PHOTOGRAPHY / COURTESY PHOTO

Florida Studio Theatre (FST) is offering quite a lineup of productions for its 2024 Summer

Season, featuring a three-show Mainstage Series and a three-show Cabaret Series.

The Mainstage Series includes the humor filled “The World Goes ’Round,” the heartwarming drama “Dear Jack, Dear Louise” by Ken Ludwig, and the timely comedy “The Outsider.” The Cabaret Series features some of the country’s top cabaret artists celebrating country music’s most fierce and fantastic females, the music of one of the sacred places of the ’60s and ’70s, and the Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons catalog.

Here’s the Summer Season at a glance:

MAINSTAGE

• “The World Goes ’Round,” music by John Kander and lyrics By Fred Ebb. Runs through June 30 in FST’s Gompertz Theatre.

Five individuals find themselves navigating through the world, with its glories, indignities, hopes and quiet dreams. Filled with humor, romance, drama and nonstop melody, it is a celebration of life and the fighting spirit that keeps us all going. The show features unforgettable gems from “Cabaret” to “Chicago,” including “Mr. Cellophane,” “Maybe This Time,” “Cabaret” and “New York, New York,” seamlessly interwoven into a passionate and harmonious story.

Rhinestone Cowgirls

“This Summer Season, we want to ‘brighten and lighten your days!’” said Richard Hopkins, FST’s producing artistic director. “On the Mainstage, we are presenting plays full of humor, heart and humanity. We will bring you a summer of plays filled with all that is good and true and honest in the American theater. And in the cabaret, we will bring you words and music from some of the best lyric poets of our age.”

• “Dear Jack, Dear Louise,” by Ken Ludwig. Runs July 3-Aug. 11 in FST’s Keating Theatre.

When two strangers meet by letter during World War II, a love story begins. U.S. Army Capt. Jack Ludwig, a military doctor stationed in Oregon, begins writing to Louise Rabiner, an aspiring actress and dancer in New York City, hoping to meet her someday if the war will allow. Ludwig tells the true story of his parents’ courtship, and the results are anything but expected.

The Four C Notes

• “The Outsider” by Paul Slade Smith. Runs July 24-Aug. 18 in FST’s Gompertz Theatre.

Ned Newley doesn’t even want to be governor. He’s terrified of public speaking, and his poll numbers are impressively bad. To his ever-supportive chief of staff, Ned seems destined to fail. But his political consultant sees things differently: Ned might be the worst candidate ever to run for office — unless the public is looking for the worst candidate ever to run for office. A timely comedy that skewers politics and celebrates democracy.

CABARET

• “Rhinestone Cowgirls,” created by Nancy Allen Productions. Runs through July 28 in FST’s Goldstein Cabaret.

A journey through all things country music, celebrating its evolution from humble beginnings to the giants of the music industry today. Three powerhouse vocalists help you relive classics such as Patsy Cline’s “Crazy,” Tammy Wynette’s “Stand by Your Man” and Loretta Lynn’s “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” as well as new favorites like Carrie Underwood’s “Last Name.”

• “The Music of Laurel Canyon Featuring Buffalo Rhome,” created by Michael Visconti. Runs through Aug. 25 in FST’s Court Cabaret.

One of the most sacred musical places in the ’60s and early ’70s sits just above the Sunset Strip. Laurel Canyon became a nest of creativity, immortalizing artists like Joni Mitchell; Buffalo Springfield; Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young; and The Mamas and the Papas — all of whom called the neighborhood home. Enjoy hits like “Desperado,” “California Dreamin’,” “Turn, Turn, Turn” and “Love the One You’re With.”

• “The Four C Notes,” recreating the music of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, created by John Michael Coppola. Runs Aug. 6-Oct. 13 in FST’s Goldstein Cabaret.

Four guys, vintage dance moves and a trip down memory lane with the Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons catalog. Featuring all of your favorite hits, including “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Walk Like A Man,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” and “Let’s Hang On.”

With its mission to make theater accessible to as many people as possible, FST offers all three Summer Mainstage productions or all three Summer Cabaret shows for as little as $59. Subscriptions and single tickets are now on sale at www.floridastudiotheatre.org/eventsand tickets/plays or at 941-366-9000.

Florida Studio Theatre is Sarasota’s contemporary theater. Founded in 1973, FST has grown to a village of five theatres located in the heart of downtown Sarasota.

Each theater is small in size and large in impact — providing intimate and engaging settings for high-quality, professional performances.

Today, FST has established itself as a major force in American theater. FST is the largest subscription theater in the state of Florida — and among the largest in the country, serving more than 200,000 live attendees each year across its diverse programs: Mainstage, Cabaret, Stage III, Children’s Theatre, The FST School, New Play Development and FST Improv.

Even with its growth, Florida Studio Theatre remains firmly committed to making the arts accessible and affordable to as many people as possible. Under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director Richard Hopkins, FST develops theater that speaks to our living, evolving and dynamically changing world. Hip and historical, entertaining and challenging, FST is where everyone is welcome to engage in the art of theater.

For more information, see www.floridastudiotheatre.org .

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