FST Improv's WHEN X MEETS Y Returns Tonight

It seems one night of romance just isn't enough. Love is a funny thing, especially when you add song and dance to the mix. Back by popular demand, FST Improv presents two additional performances of the hit musical When X Meets Y tonight, May 12 and May 19. Both shows begin at 8pm. Doors open at 7pm for full menu and bar. Tickets are $12 and may be purchased from the FST Box Office by calling (941) 366-9000, or online at www.floridastudiotheatre.org.

Audiences are raving about this romantic riot of laughter and love calling the show, "Absolutely awesome," "Impressive, "and "Phenomenal." FST Director of Improv, Will Luera speaks to the decision to reprise this fully improvised romantic comedy. "We're very excited to add two more shows of When X Meets Y. The first show was so much fun for both the cast and the audience that we felt that the best thing to do was bring the show back for not just on-but two performances.

Not only did the audience enjoy the expertise that went into performing a fully-formed improvised story but they appreciated the skill of our performers. We purposefully cast not only good improvisers but great singers so that we could honor the tradition of musical theater while making the audience laugh. To complement our actors, we have our in-house band improvising music on the spot, creating tunes that the audience was singing as they left the theater."

Returning along with FST Improv cast members for both encore performances is the vibrant and vivacious, Ali Reed. Luera speaks to the eclectic mix of cast crossover that come together on the Bowne's Lab stage in the name of love stating, "What makes this run special is that we get to combine the talent of FST Improv with Ali Reed from FST's Cabaret production, Never Marry A Girl With Cold Feet, to create a unique theatrical experience. In addition, to being an accomplished actor and singer, Ali is an amazing improviser."

Having trained at The Upright Citizen's Brigade and The Magnet Theater in New York City, Reed's previous credits include the UCB production of Gravid Water and the all-female musical house team, The Jezebelles at The Magnet Theater. She can also be seen weekly at The People's Improv Theater where she is a member of the musical house team, Royals. In addition, Ali performs at The Annoyance Theater in Brooklyn with her house team Happy Karaoke Fun Time, which just completed a successful Off-Broadway run at The Davenport Theater. She is thrilled to bring her love of musical improv to the FST stage and create some magic with unexpected characters, lyrics, and harmonies.

What exactly does happen when X meets Y? The whole world breaks out in song, right? Well that's what happens in Bowne's Lab as this love-sick cast of improvisers creates a completely original musical on the spot. The show's cast includes: Ali Reed, Will Luera, Chris Friday, Joey James, Patrick Jackson, Ellery Carlson, Maria Schaedler-Luera, and Jim Prosser on piano.

FST Improv presents two additional performances of When X Meets Y: An Improvised Romantic Musical tonight, May 12 and May 19. Doors open at 7:00pm. Full menu and bar are available. Tickets are $12 and may be purchased from the FST Box Office by calling (941) 366-9000, or online at www.floridastudiotheatre.org.

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 then acquired the former Woman's Club building, becoming the first permanent venue. Shortly after Richard Hopkins arrived, the building was purchased and 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 five theatre venues: the Keating Theatre, the Gompertz Theatre, the Parisian style Goldstein Cabaret and John C. Court Cabaret, and Bowne's Lab Theatre.

Even with its growth, Florida Studio Theatre remains firmly committed to making the arts accessible and affordable to a broad-based audience. 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.