Florida Studio Theatre Celebrates the Lively Sounds of the 60s and 70s

Florida Studio Theatre Opens its second cabaret performance in the 2009-2010 Season. Reflections was developed at FST by Richard Hopkins, Rebecca Langford and Jim Prosser. Soul infused with pop cross-over appeal in the 60s and 70s created a fresh new sound that turned out unforgettable chart toppers. FST takes you back in celebration: "Heat Wave," "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," "Stop! in the Name of Love," "Proud Mary" and many more!

In 1960, President Eisenhower signed the Civil Rights Act that established federal investigation of local voter registration polls. In 1961, our country went to war in Vietnam. In 1962, the Berlin Wall was erected. In 1963, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. Throughout these heavy flames of change and adversity, the beat went on. Music rose out of the flames into a lively, catchy, vocal sound that united a nation during turmoil.

"It's a joyous ride down memory lane," commented director and choreographer Bill Castelino. He went on to describe, "The sixties and seventies were complicated times. But the music of the period really allowed us, our spirits to be lifted above the complications even though some of the music is inspired by and deals with the challenges of life during this time."
Director and Choreographer Bill Castelino returns to FST, most recently from last seasons Hula Hoop Sha-Boop. Castellino has directed numerous World Premieres including Dorian Gray at the New York Musical Theatre Festival, Fantasma and Jonah at the New York Shakespeare Festival. His credits also include World Premieres that he has authored or co-authored including Heartbeats at Old Globe, Goodspeed Opera House, Cleveland Playhouse and Pasadena Playhouse, Happy

Holidays at the Pasadena Playhouse and Fishwrap at the Adirondack Theatre Festival NY among others. National Tour credits include The Presidents, Fame, Jolson, Chess, Heartbeats, Les Miserables, Esther and Nightclub Cantata.

The quartet of talent includes Broadway Actor Job Christenson who performed on Broadway as Old Deuteronomy and a host of other characters in Cats, Houdini/Conklin understudy in Ragtime, Song, Dance Man in 25 Years of Broadway, with Joel Grey and Dance Couple in Nancy LaMott and Friends, along with numerous regional theatre credits. New York Actress Melissa Fleming

whose theatre credits include Janet Weiss in The Rocky Horror Show, Luisa in The Fantasticks, Gigi in Miss Saigon and many musical director credits.

Broadway Actor Robert H. Fowler has appeared on Broadway in The Producers as Officer O'Houlihan, Beauty and the Beast as Lumiere, Jesus Christ Superstar as Simon, Oh, Kay! as Jimmy Winter understudy, Dreamgirls as Carl, Film Executive, Uptown...It's Hot! as Three Gents, Cop, and others. His film credits include The Producers, Malcolm X and Mo' Better Blues. New York Actress Natalie Renee has appeared in the national tours of Rent as Seasons of Love Soloist and Hairspray as Dynamite: Peaches and Dynamite: Cindy Watkins. Her regional credits include Aida as Aida, Ragtime as Sarah and many others.

Joining Castellino on the creative team are Music Director John Franceschina, Lighting Designer Colleen Jennings, Sound Designer John Valines and Scenic and Costume Designer Nicole Wee.

The soulful Reflections opens January 5 and continues through March 20, 2010 at the Goldstein Cabaret. Tickets are $19 - $29 and may be purchased from the FST Box Office in person, by phone (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 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 three theatre venues: the Keating Theatre, the Goldstein Cabaret and its newest space, the Gompertz 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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