Sarasota, Florida's FST Improv-Final Shows

FST Improv Wraps Up Its Third Season on April 25

Don't Miss the Final Shows of And the Red Tide Also Rises

Time is running out!

If you've been meaning to get out to see FST Improv in And the Red Tide Also Rises and haven't yet, your chances to do so are disappearing faster than Paris Hilton's boyfriends. FST Improv wraps up its third season show on April 25. The final four shows are April 4, 11, 18 and 25 in the Goldstein Cabaret.

In Summer 2005, FST began presenting comedy Improv built around specific themes. Over the Summer, shows explored relationships that bind (sometimes a little too tightly) in Can't We All Just Get Along? This season, FST Improv has explored the funny side of life with And the Red Tide Also Rises .

Because Improv is different from regular theatre – where actors have scripts – no one is ever sure of the outcome. Not even the group's director and emcee, Rebecca Langford – who is also Managing Director and the Director of Improvisation at FST.

Improv relies heavily on audience participation and topical issues for its comic inspiration. Given suggestions from the audience, the performers create characters and sketches on the spot. Not even the performers know what is going to happen.

"Since we process the information as we create it, every show is unique and every moment is ephemeral," says Langford. "That's the great thing about comedy Improv. You never see the same show twice."

It also means that the show stays current. This past season, FST Improv's And the Red Tide Also Rises has explored the quirky side of life in Sarasota, life in Florida and just plain life.

"We've covered everything from the debate about what is public art to bird flu, to parking and roundabouts," says Langford. "The great thing about comedy Improv is that nothing is off-limits. It's an equal opportunity lampooner. So, we've made fun of everyone this season."

The cast of And the Red Tide Also Rises includes Christine Alexander, Tim Beasley, Zac Chase, Chris Friday Rachel Oakes and Angel Parker with Jim Prosser on piano. Rebecca Langford directs.

And the Red Tide Also Rises featuring FST Improv runs through April 25, 2006. Shows are Tuesdays at 8:30 p.m. in the Goldstein Cabaret. Doors open at 7:45 p.m. with general admission seating. There is also a cash bar. Tickets are $12 per person and may be purchased from the FST Box Office in person or by calling (941) 366-9000. Advanced purchase of tickets is recommended.

Florida Studio Theatre

1241 North Palm Avenue

Sarasota, FL 34236

Website: www.fst2000.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.

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