Prima Donnettes, 'NEVER MARRY A GIRL WITH COLD FEET' and More Set for FST's 2014-15 Cabaret Season

Florida Studio Theatre announces its 2014-2015 Cabaret season. Starting off the season are the full-bodied vocal stylings in Dancing in the Street with the Prima Donnettes. Next up is the heartfelt and unforgettable music of American Pie. Concluding the season is the entertaining and honest Never Marry a Girl With Cold Feet: And Other Life Lessons from Vaudeville.

The season begins October 22 and plays through June 4 on FST's John C. Court and Goldstein Cabaret stages (Downtown Sarasota). A subscription to all three shows can be purchased for as little as $39 online at www.floridastudiotheatre.org or by calling the Box Office at (941) 366-9000. Single tickets range from $18-$36.

Artistic Director, Richard Hopkins gives an overview of the Cabaret season stating, "I'm looking forward to the Cabaret season because of the broad range of music from pop, to rock, to standards. Dancing in the Street with the Prima Donnettes examines the women's movement through a joyous exploration of the popular music of the day. American Pie reveals the cultural revolution of the 20th century in song. Last but not least, we present the music of the early 20th Century through the most popular form of 20th century entertainment: Vaudeville. The season promises variety, intelligence, and passion."

This Cabaret season kicks off with Dancing in the Street with the Prima Donnettes developed by Richard Hopkins and Jim Prosser. This harmonious journey of music begins in the John C. Court Cabaret on October 22. From hula hoops and drive-ins to the fight for equal rights, The Prima Donnettes broke onto the airwaves. Featuring songs from dynamic 50s girl groups like The Chiffons and The Chordettes and empowering artists of the 70s such as Aretha Franklin and Cher. The Prima Donnettes are back to feature a soundtrack for the hopes and dreams of women everywhere with songs such as "Chapel of Love," "Delta Dawn," and "I Will Survive." Returning to direct and choreograph this musically rich show is Dennis Courtney. Courtney has previously directed over 20 shows at FST like The Prima Donnettes, Brassy Broads, and Shake, Rattle, and Roll.

Beginning in the Goldstein Cabaret on December 31 is American Pie, developed by Richard Hopkins and Rebecca Hopkins. In 1964, the Beatles came to America and the British Invasion began. In response, a second American Revolution occurred. Artists such as Simon and Garfunkel and Bob Dylan paved the way for Neil Diamond, John Mellencamp, Billy Joel, and more. This acoustically-infused production features songs such as "The Sounds of Silence," "Sweet Caroline," and "New York State of Mind." Highlighting the musical journey of America's best storytellers, American Pie paints a portrait through a time of cultural revolution.

Rounding out the season in the Court Cabaret is Never Marry and Girl with Cold Feet: and Other Life Lessons from Vaudeville. The production begins on February 18. At its peak in the 1920s, over two million people saw vaudeville shows every day. It celebrates the greatest musical artists such as Fanny Brice, George M. Cohan, Jerome Kern, and Al Jolson. It features irreverent humor and unforgettable melodies like "Alexander's Ragtime Band," "Birth of the Blues," "Give My Regards to Broadway," and "Nobody." Vaudeville was a fascinating era of innocence and awareness; Perhaps there is still something to be learned from America's original entertainment.

All three shows of the 14-15 Cabaret season - Dancing in the Street with the Prima Donnettes, American Pie, and Never Marry a Girl with Cold Feet: And Other Life Lessons from Vaudeville will be presented on FST's Court and Goldstein Cabaret stages. Single tickets range from $18-$36. A subscription to all three shows of the Cabaret season may be purchased for as little as $39. Both subscription tickets and single tickets may be purchased from the FST Box Office in person, by calling (941) 366-9000, or online at www.FloridaStudioTheatre.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 five theatre venues: the Keating Theatre, the Gompertz Theatre, the Goldstein Cabaret, the 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. 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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