FST Presents David Mamet's RACE, 1/26-3/13

Race is a riveting legal drama that will immerse you with lies, sex, guilt, greed, passion, and above all, the subject of race. From David Mamet, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author and director of Glengarry Glen Ross, American Buffalo, and Speed-the-Plow, this dynamic and provocative new play will open in Florida Studio Theatre's Keating Theatre on January 26, as part of its contemporary four-play Mainstage series.

Race follows three attorneys: two black, one white. When a wealthy white man is charged with a crime against a young black woman, a debate ensues over whether or not to defend him. As the evidence unfolds, the law office heats up as each character's feelings on race is unveiled. David Mamet begs the right questions, but doesn't provide many answers - leaving the audience with much to discuss after the curtain goes down.

"David Mamet is one of the best playwrights still writing and producing today," said Artistic Director Richard Hopkins, who is also directing Race. "In ‘Race,' Mamet asks excellent questions of his audience, without providing answers or solutions so that we can each examine our own individual roles in race relations and better understand the roles of America's institutions. ‘Race' will not solve the issues of race, but it will give us food for thought for many years to come so that we can better wrestle with the issues. It's an important piece of theatre, and FST is proud to be producing it so early after its initial Broadway run."

Race opened on Broadway in September 2009, and was the longest-running play of the 2009-2010 Broadway season. It closed in August 2010. Florida Studio Theatre will present the second regional production of the play, shortly after Philadelphia Theatre Company's production opens on January 21.

"It is a play about lies," David Mamet said of Race in an article for the New York Times. "All drama is about lies. When the lie is exposed, the play is over. Race, like sex, is a subject on which it is near impossible to tell the truth."

David Mamet first gained acclaim for a trio of off-Broadway productions, The Duck Variations, Sexual Perversity in Chicago and American Buffalo. In 1984 he was awarded the Pultizer Prize and the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Glengarry Glen Ross, which was about several desperate real-estate agents. The play was made into a movie in 1992, and was revived on Broadway in 2005. He is also the author of Oleanna, which Florida Studio Thaetre produced successfully in 1994. Mamet has also found success as a screenwriter, and received Acadamy Award nominations for his first script, The Verdict (1982) and Wag the Dog (1997). Mamet is a founding member of the Atlantic Theater Company in New York City.

Race at Florida Studio Theatre is directed by Artistic Director Richard Hopkins. Since his arrival at FST in 1980, Mr. Hopkins has guided the theatre from a small touring company to a nationally recognized regional theatre, which impacts over 160,000 adults & children annually. He has directed more than 40 productions in FST's three theatres, including last season's critically acclaimed Ruined (for which he was awarded Best Director by Sarasota lifestyle periodical, Creative Loafing). He has worked at numerous regional theatres including Capital Repertory, Blowing Rock Theatre, TheatreWorks Palo Alto, The Players of Columbus, Delaware Theatre Company, Long Island Stage, and many others.

The cast features returning FST actors, Jeffrey Plunkett as Jack, and Ronald Siebert as Charles. Mr. Plunkett was last seen in Sylvia during the Summerfest 2010 season, but has appeared in several productions including A Permanent Collection, Opus, Pure Confidence, and A Gambol of Love. Mr. Siebert last appeared at FST as Mr. Harari in Ruined, during the 2010 Mainstage season. He also appeared in FST's Opus. On Broadway, Mr. Siebert appeared in the award-winning The Changing Room and with James Earl Jones in The Iceman Cometh at The Circle-In-The-Square Theatre. Kevyn Morrow joins the cast as Henry, and Toccarra Cash will play the role of Susan.

Scenic and costume designer, April Soroko, returns to FST after her design work for The 39 Steps and Beehive: The 60s Musical. Robert Perry will return as the lighting designer, after designing Brassy Broads: The Next Generation, The Wanderers, and last season's Shotgun.

Race opens at Florida Studio Theatre on January 26 and runs through March 19 in the Gompertz Theatre. Single tickets are priced $19 to $34 and may be purchased by calling the Box Office at 941-366-9000 or by visiting the website at www.floridastudiotheatre.org.

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