FST's 2006-7 Mainstage Season Announced!

FST Presents a Season of Intriguing Theatre

Florida Studio Theatre Announces Its 2006-2007 Winter Mainstage Season

FST's 2006-2007 Winter Mainstage Season is composed of four plays that are sure to challenge audiences with as much gusto as they entertain. The plays examine modern society by celebrating the music and lives of coal miners, following the life of a great political leader, asking how race, art and perspective interact in a modern world and laughing at the silly dance that we call marriage.

The first production in the 2006-2007 season is Fire On The Mountain, a poignant, passionate musical about the lives of the unsung American Hero: The Coal Miner. Fire On The Mountain is told through the words of Appalachian Coal Miners and their families from interviews conducted by the writers. A celebration of Appalachian culture, the story is told through the art of the folk and bluegrass music that these people turn to for refuge after a long day in the mines.

Written by Randal Myler and Dan Wheetman, the team behind It Ain't Nothin' But the Blues, among other musical works, Fire On the Mountain stays true to the mining lifestyle in both theme and presentation. Myler, who will also be directing FST's production, said of the play in an interview with Teri Downard for APPLAUSE, "It's about what miners go through. And miners are proud and funny and powerful. Theirs is the most robust music imaginable."

The music is what truly sets this play apart. Most of the show is set to music that is played on guitars, mandolins, fiddles and more by several members of the cast. The type of music in the show can be described as country, folk, blues and bluegrass, though no single description totally encapsulates the sound. The musical style popular among Appalachian miners finds its origins in the music of Irish and Scottish immigrants from the 19^th Century.

Coal Miners represent a part of American cultural history that people often disregard. In the interview previously mentioned, Randal Myler says, "We forget why our houses are warm and where our lettuce comes from. We're all just one generation removed from the soil."Fire On The Mountain holds nothing back in its representation of the miner. It tells a real story of a difficult life that deserves universal admiration. It tells of wives not knowing whether or not their husbands will return and of little boys dreaming of the day when they can work in the mines like their fathers. But, it is important to note that Fire On The Mountain is not an entirely sad story. It is primarily an invigorating celebration of culture and heroics that sets spirits soaring with sounds of a truly inspirational group of people.

The Denver Post calls Fire On The Mountain "a coal-fired masterwork of song," and Colorado Backstage says "Narration so rich, the lively music awesomely compelling, the uncontrollable toe tapping…I could actually feel dust in my throat."Fire On The Mountain begins October 4 and runs through December 1, 2006. In addition to being directed by Randal Myler, co-author Dan Wheetman will be coming to FST to serve as Musical Director for the production. The cast will include some new-comers to FST as well as familiar faces such as Kim Crow and Jason Edwards.Golda's Balcony tracks the mysterious and breathtaking life of Golda Meir from an impoverished childhood in Russia all the way to Prime Minister of Israel. This intimate and compelling one-woman show invites you into the heart and mind of one of the 20^th Century's great leaders.

Written by veteran playwright William Gibson (The Miracle Worker, Two for the Seesaw,) Golda's Balcony is an incredibly timely play that deals with the struggles associated with Israel and its rivals specifically the Yom Kippur war of 1973. More importantly it is the story of a remarkable leader and the compelling manner in which she led her people and pursued her convictions.

USA Today calls Golda's Balcony "a moving tribute to the human capacity for survival," and the Associated Press calls it "A fascinating show!"Golda's Balcony begins December 6, 2006 and plays until February 2, 2007. FST's production will be directed by Terence Lamude and star Associate Director and veteran actor/director Kate Alexander in the role of Golda. Ms. Alexander has been seen at FST in Filumena, Master Class, The Goat, Three Tall Women, Agnes of God, and many others.

Continuing with the season's study of differing cultures is FST's 3^rd Mainstage production, Permanent Collection. An insightful piece of theatre, Permanent Collection follows the path of Sterling North, the newly appointed Executive Director of the Morris Foundation, a private Art museum.

The collection belonged to the late Dr. Alfred Morris, a rebellious art collector who upon his death, appointed control of his foundation to a traditionally black university. Several years later when North (an African-American) is appointed Director, things get interesting. In Dr. Morris's will the most significant stipulation is that the collection is to remain constant. Nothing is to be changed, added or removed from the permanent collection. Controversy ignites and sparks fly when Mr. North demands changes to the predominately white art adorning the walls citing racial discrimination in the collection.

Inspired by events surrounding the real life Barnes Foundation located outside Philadelphia, Permanent Collection asks important questions about cultural perspective. What art is worthy of public display? Who gets to make that distinction? The Los Angeles Times calls Permanent Collection "sophisticated and deft," and the New Times Broward-Palm Beach says "what we get is a compelling and thought-provoking look at this country's most intractable issue: race."Permanent Collection begins February 7 and plays until April 6, 2007. FST's production will be directed by Artistic Director Richard Hopkins. Having served as Artistic Director for over 25 years, Mr. Hopkins has directed numerous productions most recently including Moonlight and Magnolias, Metamorphoses, The Bully Pulpit and God's Man in Texas.

The 2005-2006 Winter Mainstage Season ends with a dance. A Marriage Minuet is a sassy, sophisticated and saucy comedic glimpse into the never-ending dance that we call marriage. A highly stylized theatrical piece (think Restoration Comedy), Minuet takes two couples and delves into the inner-workings of their relationships.

As the play progresses the two couples become entangled in a complicated (and hilarious) web that starts with flirtation, leads to temptation and ends in the inevitable infidelity. A Marriage Minuet is a romantic comedy to the modern extreme that says aloud what all couples have kept quiet for decades. Variety calls Minuet a "light, bright comedy," and The Advocate adds that it is "hilarious and sophisticated."A Marriage Minuet begins April 11 and runs through June 9, 2007.

All 4 shows – Fire On The Mountain, Golda's Balcony, Permanent Collection and A Marriage Minuet – will be presented at FST's Keating Theatre. Single tickets range from $19 for previews to $29-$34 for regular performances. A subscription to all 4 shows ranges from $39-$59. Both subscription tickets and single tickets may be purchased from the FST Box Office in person or by calling (941) 366-9000.

A complete performance schedule follows.

Fire On The Mountain

Performance Schedule

October 4 – December 1, 2006

Wednesday October 4 8:00 p.m. Preview

Thursday October 5 8:00 p.m. Preview

Friday October 6 8:00 p.m. OPENING

Saturday October 7 2:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.

Sunday October 8 3:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.

Tuesday October 10 8:00 p.m.

Wednesday October 11 8:00 p.m.

Thursday October 12 8:00 p.m.

Friday October 13 8:00 p.m.

Saturday October 14 2:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.

Sunday October 15 3:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.

Tuesday October 17 8:00 p.m.

Wednesday October 18 8:00 p.m.

Thursday October 19 8:00 p.m.

Friday October 20 8:00 p.m.

Saturday October 21 2:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.

Sunday October 22 3:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.

Tuesday October 24 8:00 p.m.

Wednesday October 25 8:00 p.m.

Thursday October 26 8:00 p.m.

Friday October 27 8:00 p.m.

Saturday October 28 5:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.

Sunday October 29 3:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.

Tuesday October 31 8:00 p.m.

Wednesday November 1 8:00 p.m.

Thursday November 2 8:00 p.m.

Friday November 3 8:00 p.m.

Saturday November 4 5:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.

Sunday November 5 3:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.

Tuesday November 7 8:00 p.m.

Wednesday November 8 8:00 p.m.

Thursday November 9 8:00 p.m.

Friday November 10 8:00 p.m.

Saturday November 11 5:00 & 8:00 p.m.

Sunday November 12 3:00 & 8:00 p.m.

Tuesday November 14 8:00 p.m.

Wednesday November 15 8:00 p.m.

Thursday November 16 8:00 p.m.

Friday November 17 8:00 p.m.

Saturday November 18 5:00 & 8:00 p.m.

Sunday November 19 3:00 & 8:00 p.m.

Tuesday November 21 8:00 p.m.

Wednesday November 22 5:00 & 8:00 p.m.

Thursday November 23 THANKSGIVING

Friday November 24 5:00 & 8:00 p.m.

Saturday November 25 5:00 & 8:00 p.m.

Sunday November 26 3:00 & 8:00 p.m.

Tuesday November 28 8:00 p.m.

Wednesday November 29 5:00 & 8:00 p.m.

Thursday November 30 8:00 p.m.

Friday December 1 5:00 & 8:00 p.m.

Golda's Balcony

Performance Schedule

December 6, 2006 – February 2, 2007

Wednesday December 6 8:00 p.m. Preview

Thursday December 7 8:00 p.m. Preview

Friday December 8 8:00 p.m. Opening

Saturday December 9 2:00 & 8:00 p.m.

Sunday December 10 3:00 & 8:00 p.m.

Tuesday December 12 8:00 p.m.

Wednesday December 13 8:00 p.m.

Thursday December 14 8:00 p.m.

Friday December 15 8:00 p.m.

Saturday December 16 2:00 & 8:00 p.m.

Sunday December 17 3:00 & 8:00 p.m.

Tuesday December 19 8:00 p.m.

Wednesday December 20 3:00 & 8:00 p.m.

Thursday December 21 8:00 p.m.

Friday December 22 8:00 p.m.

Saturday December 23 2:00 & 8:00 p.m.

Sunday December 24 Christmas Eve

Tuesday December 26 8:00 p.m.

Wednesday December 27 8:00 p.m.

Thursday December 28 8:00 p.m.

Friday December 29 8:00 p.m.

Saturday December 30 5:00 & 8:00 p.m.

Sunday December 31 3:00 & 8:00 p.m.

Tuesday January 2 8:00 p.m.

Wednesday January 3 8:00 p.m.

Thursday January 4 8:00 p.m.

Friday January 5 8:00 p.m.

Saturday January 6 5:00 & 8:00 p.m.

Sunday January 7 3:00 & 8:00 p.m.

Tuesday January 9 8:00 p.m.

Wednesday January 10 8:00 p.m.

Thursday January 11 8:00 p.m.

Friday January 12 8:00 p.m.

Saturday January 13 5:00 & 8:00 p.m.

Sunday January 14 4:00 & 8:00 p.m.

Tuesday January 16 8:00 p.m.

Wednesday January 17 8:00 p.m.

Thursday January 18 8:00 p.m.

Friday January 19 8:00 p.m.

Saturday January 20 5:00 & 8:00 p.m.

Sunday January 21 3:00 & 8:00 p.m.

Tuesday January 23 8:00 p.m.

Wednesday January 24 8:00 p.m.

Thursday January 25 8:00 p.m.

Friday January 26 8:00 p.m.

Saturday January 27 5:00 & 8:00 p.m.

Sunday January 28 3:00 & 8:00 p.m.

Tuesday January 30 8:00 p.m.

Wednesday January 31 5:00 & 8:00 p.m.

Thursday February 1 8:00 p.m.

Friday February 2 5:00 & 8:00 p.m.

Permanent Collection

Performance Schedule

February 7 – April 6, 2007

Wednesday February 7 8:00 p.m. Preview

Thursday February 8 8:00 p.m. Preview

Friday February 9 8:00 p.m. Opening

Saturday February 10 2:00 & 8:00 p.m.

Sunday February 11 3:00 p.m.

Tuesday February 13 8:00 p.m.

Wednesday February 14 8:00 p.m.

Thursday February 15 8:00 p.m.

Friday February 16 8:00 p.m.

Saturday February 17 2:00 & 8:00 p.m.

Sunday February 18 3:00 & 8:00 p.m.

Tuesday February 20 8:00 p.m.

Wednesday February 21 8:00 p.m.

Thursday February 22 8:00 p.m.

Friday February 23 8:00 p.m.

Saturday February 24 2:00 & 8:00 p.m.

Sunday February 25 3:00 & 8:00 p.m.

Tuesday February 27 8:00 p.m.

Wednesday February 28 8:00 p.m.

Thursday March 1 8:00 p.m.

Friday March 2 8:00 p.m.

Saturday March 3 5:00 & 8:00 p.m.

Sunday March 4 3:00 & 8:00 p.m.

Tuesday March 6 8:00 p.m.

Wednesday March 7 8:00 p.m.

Thursday March 8 8:00 p.m.

Friday March 9 8:00 p.m.

Saturday March 10 5:00 & 8:00 p.m.

Sunday March 11 3:00 & 8:00 p.m.

Tuesday March 13 8:00 p.m.

Wednesday March 14 8:00 p.m.

Thursday March 15 8:00 p.m.

Friday March 16 8:00 p.m.

Saturday March 17 5:00 & 8:00 p.m.

Sunday March 18 3:00 & 8:00 p.m.

Tuesday March 20 8:00 p.m.

Wednesday March 21 8:00 p.m.

Thursday March 22 8:00 p.m.

Friday March 23 8:00 p.m.

Saturday March 24 5:00 & 8:00 p.m.

Sunday March 25 3:00 & 8:00 p.m.

Tuesday March 27 8:00 p.m.

Wednesday March 28 8:00 p.m.

Thursday March 29 8:00 p.m.

Friday March 30 8:00 p.m.

Saturday March 31 5:00 & 8:00 p.m.

Sunday April 1 3:00 & 8:00 p.m.

Tuesday April 3 8:00 p.m.

Wednesday April 4 5:00 & 8:00 p.m.

Thursday April 5 8:00 p.m.

Friday April 6 5:00 p.m.

A Marriage Minuet

Performance Schedule

April 11 – June 9, 2007

Wednesday April 11 8:00 p.m. Preview

Thursday April 12 8:00 p.m. Preview

Friday April 13 8:00 p.m. Opening

Saturday April 14 2:00 & 8:00 p.m.

Sunday April 15 3:00 & 8:00 p.m.

Tuesday April 17 8:00 p.m.

Wednesday April 18 8:00 p.m.

Thursday April 19 8:00 p.m.

Friday April 20 8:00 p.m.

Sunday April 22 3:00 & 8:00 p.m.

Tuesday April 24 8:00 p.m.

Wednesday April 25 8:00 p.m.

Thursday April 26 8:00 p.m.

Friday April 27 8:00 p.m.

Saturday April 28 2:00 & 8:00 p.m.

Sunday April 29 3:00 p.m.

Tuesday May 1 8:00 p.m.

Wednesday May 2 8:00 p.m.

Thursday May 3 8:00 p.m.

Friday May 4 8:00 p.m.

Saturday May 5 2:00 & 8:00 p.m.

Sunday May 6 3:00 & 8:00 p.m.

Tuesday May 8 8:00 p.m.

Wednesday May 9 8:00 p.m.

Thursday May 10 8:00 p.m.

Friday May 11 8:00 p.m.

Saturday May 12 5:00 & 8:00 p.m.

Sunday May 13 3:00 & 8:00 p.m.

Tuesday May 15 8:00 p.m.

Wednesday May 16 8:00 p.m.

Thursday May 17 8:00 p.m.

Friday May 18 8:00 p.m.

Saturday May 19 5:00 & 8:00 p.m.

Sunday May 20 3:00 & 8:00 p.m.

Tuesday May 22 8:00 p.m.

Wednesday May 23 8:00 p.m.

Thursday May 24 8:00 p.m.

Friday May 25 8:00 p.m.

Saturday May 26 5:00 & 8:00 p.m.

Sunday May 27 3:00 & 8:00 p.m.

Tuesday May 29 8:00 p.m.

Wednesday May 30 8:00 p.m.

Thursday May 31 8:00 p.m.

Friday June 1 8:00 p.m.

Saturday June 2 5:00 & 8:00 p.m.

Sunday June 3 3:00 & 8:00 p.m.

Tuesday June 5 8:00 p.m.

Wednesday June 6 5:00 & 8:00 p.m.

Thursday June 7 8:00 p.m.

Friday June 8 5:00 & 8:00 p.m.

Saturday June 9 5:00 & 8:00 p.m.

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