Shake, Rattle & Roll Plays Florida Studio Theatre's Goldstein Cabaret 1/4

Shake, Rattle & Roll, the new 1950's style musical revue swizzles into Florida Studio Theatre's (FST) Goldstein Cabaret Theatre (1241 N. Palm Avenue) on Wednesday, January 4 at 7:30pm.

Tickets for the premiere music revue are on sale through March 25th and can be purchased online at www.FloridaStudioTheatre.org, by phone at (941) 366-9000 or by visiting the Box Office.

Shake, Rattle & Roll is a tribute to the birth of rock music and the legends of Buddy Holly, Carl Perkins, Chuck Berry, the Everly Brothers, and more! These artists introduced the world to Rock 'n' Roll: with a west-Texas country sound, sweet harmonies of Kentucky bluegrass, and the electrifying rhythm and blues of Memphis. Dick Clark once said "Elvis was the King of Rock 'n' Roll, but Buddy Holly was the undisputed father of rock music."

"In the 1950s, these bright-eyed kids were taking over the airwaves with a new sound," said Director Dennis Courtney. "This show celebrates the early days of rock music, where the instruments, the lyrics, and the driving beats were the only things that mattered. It was simple, and yet completely timeless."

Shake, Rattle & Roll, developed by Richard Hopkins, Rebecca Hopkins and Jim Prosser, features an all-male cast of performers who will play 10 different instruments: from guitar, banjo, mandolin, drums, and piano. Broadway actor Eric Scott Anthony, New York actor Dominick Cicco, New York actor Casey Gensler, and percussionist Tony Bruno all return to the FST stage after last appearing together in the 2010 production of Night Train to Memphis. Jonathon Brown will make his FST debut.

Director Dennis Courtney returns for his 23rd production at FST, having staged this season's hit revue That's Life Again. Based in New York City, Mr. Courtney recently staged a re-envisioned production of Fiddler On The Roof for the Cameri Theatre in Tel Aviv as the official production for the 60th Anniversary of Israel, for which he won the 2009 Israeli National Theatre Award. He has been the director/choreographer of over 150 stage productions including Peter Pan with Cathy Rigby, Can-Can with Leslie Uggams, the regional premieres of I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change and Summer of '69, the world premiere productions of Ethel Waters: His Eye Is On The Sparrow (FST), Red Hot Mama, Beggar's Holiday and The Beethovens.

Musical Director John Franceschina also returns after this season's That's Life Again. Franceschina has accompanied Judy Garland, Angela Lansbury, Nell Carter, Jan Peerce, Robert Merrill, Lotte Lenya, Paige O'Hara, Chita Rivera and Gwen Verdon, and has conducted dozens of off-Broadway shows and national tours.

Pianist Jim Prosser returns to the Cabaret for his 15th season; Lighting Designer Jeffrey Cady also joins the production team along with Costume and Scenic Designer Susan Angermann.

Shake, Rattle & Roll opens in the Goldstein Cabaret January 4, 2012 - March 25, 2012. The Cabaret opens one hour before curtain for dining, where patrons may enjoy a full dinner menu, bar, and other refreshments.

Single tickets are $26 - $29. Single tickets may be purchased from the FST Box Office in person or by calling (941) 366-9000 or now online at www.floridstudiotheatre.org.

About Florida Studio Theatre

Known as Sarasota's Contemporary Theatre, Florida Studio Theatre was founded in 1973 by Jon Spelman. Starting out as a small touring company, FST traveled to places such as migrant camps and prisons. The company eventually settled down into a permanent home, acquiring the former Woman's Club building – now renamed the Keating Theatre. In the years that followed, Florida Studio Theatre established itself as a major force in American Theatre, presenting Contemporary Theatre in its three theatre venues: the Keating Theatre, the Goldstein Cabaret and its newest space, the Gompertz Theatre.

Even with its growth, Florida Studio Theatre remains firmly committed to making the arts accessible and affordable to a broad-based audience. Under Richard Hopkins, Artistic Director and CEO, FST develops theatre that speaks to our living, evolving, and dynamically changing world. As FST grows and expands, it continues to provide audiences with challenging, contemporary drama and innovative programs.

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