FST Announces 2009 Stage III Season

FST Announces Compelling and Diverse
2009 Stage III Season 

From art to our cultural viewpoints, the Stage III season offers diverse thought in a changing world. Florida Studio Theatre's Stage III Season begins January 14, 2009 at the Gompertz Theatre. In Addition to the Stage III Season, Always...Patsy Cline will return for a Limited Engagement. 

Kicking off the 2009 season is Edward Albee's Occupant, which examines the life of acclaimed American sculptor Louise Nevelson. Born into a Ukrainian Jewish family, Nevelson's family immigrated to America when she was a young child. With a personality as impressive as her art, was she destined for greatness? What is the relationship between creator and creation? Who was Louise Nevelson? Only she knew.  Edward Albee's Occupant begins January 14 and runs through January 31, 2009. 

Directed by Susan Greenhill, the show was called "fascinating" by Variety. The cast will include Kate Alexander, who most recently played Golda Meir in Florida Studio Theatre's production of Golda's Balcony (2007) as Louise Nevelson and Patrick Noonan, who was last seen at Florida Studio Theatre in the summer production of The Mystery of Irma Vep as The Man. 

...And L.A. is Burning

by Y York is Stage III's second production. It's April, 1992. America awaits the verdict of the four policemen indicted for beating Rodney King. For Haddie, a white, middle-aged government worker, the world is very straightforward: your race and your class determine the world you live in. This naïve viewpoint often leads to a comical perspective on her reality. For Alvin, Haddie's African-American co-worker, life is about getting ahead. And for Sylvia, an academic from the East Coast, the world must be changed. Set against the backdrop of the Rodney King trial and the subsequent L.A. riots, playwright Y York's new play is a comedy with serious implications as it explores a world in which well-intentioned liberalism, racism, and reality collide.

Called "a powerful examination of a changing nation" by the Houston Press ...And L.A. is Burning recently won the Smith Prize from the National New Play Network for 2008. The Smith Prize is awarded to a play that specifically focuses on American politics - examining our civic institutions, particularly our democratic institutions, and asks: Who are Americans as a people? What are we becoming? What are our global responsibilities? (from the NNPN website.) 

...And L.A. is Burning will be directed by Kate Alexander and plays from March 4 through March 19, 2009. 

FST ends this year's Stage III Season with a confrontational drama by David Harrower, Blackbird. Winner of the 2007 Olivier Award for Best New Play. Fifteen years after an illicit affair between Ray and Una, she arrives unannounced at his office door. Raw emotions ignite as each are forced to face their personal demons. Love, regret and the power of the past transform their very existence. Blackbird begins April 22 and runs through May 7, 2009 and was called "masterly, mesmerizing" by the New York Times.

Stage III debuted in January 2005 to answer an increasing demand from local audiences for edgier works that showed the uncommon human experience and challenged previously held beliefs and values. Featuring plays that challenge with as much gusto as they entertain; FST Stage III pushes the envelope of contemporary theatre and brings fresh, edgy works to the Sarasota theatrical landscape. Singular in taste, fresh in approach, FST's Stage III offers the adventurous theatergoer the opportunity to see plays that both challenge and entertain. In its first two seasons, FST Stage III has attracted more than 3000 subscribers and continues to grow. 

Because of its challenging nature, the Stage III series may include plays with language and/or situations that are uncomfortable or offensive to some audience members. Viewer discretion is advised. 

All three shows in the Stage III Season - Edward Albee's Occupant, ...And L.A. is Burning and Blackbird - will be presented at FST's Gompertz Theatre. Single tickets range from $19 for previews to $29-32 for regular performances. A subscription to all 3 shows ranges from $39-52. Both subscription tickets and single tickets may be purchased from the FST Box Office in person, by phone (941) 366-9000 or online at www.floridastudiotheatre.org  

Always...Patsy Cline

by Ted Swindley was a summer hit at the Keating Mainstage at Florida Studio Theatre and extended into the Gompertz Theatre for an additional three weeks. Returning cast members include Christine Mild as Patsy Cline and Joy Hawkins as Louise. Hawkins will also direct.

Always...Patsy Cline

is an additional show presented at the Gompertz Theatre and is not included in the Stage III Season or subscription series. Single tickets range from $29 -$32. Running two weeks only, February 17 through February 28, 2009. 

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