The 50's Continue At FST With HULA HOOP SHA-BOOP Thru 3/29

The sounds of the 50s will continue at Florida Studio Theatre due to popular demand! After many sold-out performances, Hula Hoop Sha-Boop will extend to the Gompertz Theatre, after ninety-eight performances in the Goldstein Cabaret, on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 and continue through Sunday, March 29, 2009.

Audiences have flocked to the fun-filled revue and comments range from "I wanted to get up and sing and dance," "Loved it- brought back memories of high school" and "I've got to see this again!" Many patrons have returned to twist again to the more than 60 songs in it's book, including "Yakety Yak," "Stay," Sherry," It's My Party," "Hound Dog" and many more!

Hula Hoop Sha-Boop recounts the days when life was much simpler. An era when teenagers were not overloaded with a 24 hour news cycle, the Internet and a fear instilled in them about their future. Music created a natural storyboard of the 50s. Creators Larry Deckel, John Leicht and John Tanner used this, in the process of constructing the show. Creator Larry Deckel stated "The music is fun. The time was fun. The reason people look at it with such glowing nostalgia is if you were there it was a fun part of life." Hula Hoop Sha-Boop premiered at the Milwaukee Repertory Theater during the 1990-1991 Season of the Stackner Cabaret. Milwaukee Rep. brought the show back numerous times due to popular demand, including the most recent production in 2008.

Johnny is played by Broadway actor Stephen Horst, who appeared on in The Phantom of the Opera. Suzie is played by New York actress Kerri Brackin who played Amber in the National Tour of Hairspray. Paul is played by Broadway actor Eric Collins who appeared in The Wind In The Willows. New York actress Allison Couture who recently played Patty Simcox in Grease plays Paula. All four performers are newcomers to the FST Cabaret.
The production was directed and choreographed by Bill Castellino. 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.

Along with Castellino the creative team included, Music Director Vince diMura, Lighting Designer Colleen Jennings, Sound Designer Eric Stahlhammer and Florida Studio Theatre's resident designer Marcella Beckwith as Costume and Scenic Designer.
The fun-filled Hula Hoop Sha-Boop continues through March 29, 2009 at the Goldstein Cabaret. Tickets are $26 - $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.

Florida Studio Theatre is grateful to Dennis and Graci McGillicuddy and Dale Berkowitz for underwriting the 2008 - 2009 Cabaret Season, The Florida Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts and The Women's Exchange.
Hula Hoop Sha-Boop
Remaining Performance Schedule
The Goldstein Cabaret & The Gompertz Theatre
$19-$29
Performance Schedule
Through March 29, 2009

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