Florida Studio Theatre Presents NIGHT TRAIN TO MEMPHIS, Kicks Off 3/23

Florida Studio Theatre culminates the Cabaret Season with a train travelling from Beale Street to Palm Avenue. Night Train to Memphis begins March 23, developed at FST by Richard Hopkins, Rebecca Langford and Jim Prosser. Memphis, Tennessee, birthplace of America's greatest music and the careers of Elvis Presley, B.B. King and Johnny Cash. An evening of sultry and smooth sounds including "Great Balls of Fire," "Chantilly Lace," "Proud Mary," "Blue Suede Shoes and more!
A quartet of spirited guys will deliver an irresistible vibe and the classic sound of Memphis as they let the good times roll! Guitars, piano, bass, mandolin, banjo and drums will accompany their vocals live on stage.

FST Artistic Director, Richard Hopkins will direct the production. "We look forward to presenting this effervescent tribute to the acclaimed artists that began their careers in Memphis and sustained recognition across multiple genres. We have amazing talent for this show; it will be a real treat for the audiences." Hopkins has directed more than 40 productions in the FST's three theatres, including this season's critically-acclaimed hit Ruined.

The multi-talented cast will include New York Actor John Bronston (Piano) Regional credits include Walter in Hair (Media Theatre, PA), Dr. Frank-N-Furter in Rocky Horror Show at Westminster Studio Theatre and Cory in Fences at Indianapolis Civic Theatre. New York Actor Casey Gensler (Guitar) returns to FST after appearing as Mathew in Altar Boyz and the Young Poet in British Invasion. His Regional credits include Claude in Hair at ReVision Theatre, Sheriff Joe Sutter in The Spitfire Grill at Mill Mountain Theatre and the National Tours of Pump Boys & Dinettes and Pops in Kiss Me Kate.

And New York Actor Dominick Cicco (Guitar) also returns to FST after appearing in Outlaws & Angels. His Regional credits include Sweeney Todd in Sweeney Todd with Encore Series: M-S Prods., Capt. Von Trapp in Sound of Music with Mi-Shar Productions and Marcello in La Boheme at Whitaker Center for the Arts. Cicco's television and film credits include Invincible (w/Mark Wahlberg), Splatter, Hack and Law & Order: CI. Broadway Actor Eric Scott Anthony (Guitar, bass, mandolin, and banjo) Broadway credits include Eric (Electric Guitar/Ens.) in Ring of Fire: The Johnny Cash Musical Show. Other credits include the National Tour of Pump Boys & Dinettes as Jackson and regionally as Tony in West Side Story at Cumberland County Playhouse, Joe Mauldin in Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story at Westchester Broadway Theatre and Tribe (Electric Guitar) in Hair at the Arizona Theatre Co.

Accompanying the actors on stage is musician Tony Bruno on the drums.

The sultry and smooth sounds of Night Train to Memphis, opens March 23 and continues through June 5, 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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