The Big Bang -Two Man Musical Comedy Hits Sarasota

Florida Studio Theatre starts its 2006 Summerfest season with big laughs in the two-man musical comedy, The Big Bang. The first of 3 plays in the season, The Big Bang opens June 14 and runs through July 2, 2006 in FST's Keating Theatre.

Imagine the possibilities of the most expensive musical ever conceived. It's a twelve hour affair budgeted at $83 million chronicling the history of the entire universe starring a cast of 318 performers, thousands of costumes and elaborate scenery that makes chandeliers and helicopters seem mediocre.

In The Big Bang the two creators of this musical extravaganza audition their masterpiece for a room full of prospective investors (the audience.) Hilarity ensues as the two men (FST regular Gary Marachek and newcomer Wayne LeGette) cavort around the stage attempting to portray various characters in history from Adam & Eve and Nefertiti to Christopher Columbus and Eva Braun.

Gary and Wayne certainly do face some interesting challenges in attempting to recreate the world's history onstage. The play takes place in a New York Apartment (belonging to Mr. And Mrs. Libpalm) the two have borrowed for the audition. Lamp shades, ottomans and plants fly as the two frantically do whatever is necessary to convince the audience to invest in their project. The Big Bang maintains a quick comic pace from beginning to end as the two quirky characters sing a series of absurdly amusing songs. They begin with Adam and Eve singing about the joys of "Free food and frontal nudity" and progress through history with Pocohontas and Minnehaha complaining about the poor dating scene at the end of the 16^th Century.

Through all the physical and lyrical humor in The Big Bang, the lovable Gary and Wayne do everything they can to connect with the audience. In the end the future of their experience is unclear. However, it is 100% certain that in the process of trying to sell their show, they have provided 90 minutes of non-stop entertainment for the audience.

The Sun-Sentinel calls The Big Bang "an unrelenting tour de farce that makes cheeks ache" and the Palm Beach Post says it has "a hip sense of humor."

Gary Marachek has appeared in numerous FST productions, most recently starring as David O. Selznick in FST's hit winter production of Moonlight and Magnolias. Wayne LeGette will be making his FST debut with this performance. David Arisco, founding Artistic Director at the Actors Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre in Coral Gables, Florida, will direct the show, with assistance from guest artist Michael Newton-Brown (Lighting Design) and from FST staffers Bruce Price (Scenic Adaptation) and Marcella Beckwith (Scenic Dressing and Costume Coordination.)

The Big Bang begins June 14 and runs through July 2, 2006 at FST's Keating Theatre. Tickets are $19-34 and may be purchased from the FST Box Office in person or by calling (941) 366-9000.

Florida Studio Theatre

1241 North Palm Avenue

Sarasota, FL 34236

Administration: (941) 366-9017

Box Office: (941) 366-9000

Fax: (941) 955-4137

E-mail: fst@fst2000.org

Website: www.fst2000.org

The Big Bang Music by Jed Feuer, Book and Lyrics by Boyd Graham

In the Keating Theatre

Tickets: $19-$34

Performance Schedule

Wednesday, June 14 8:00 pm (Preview)

Thursday, June 15 8:00 pm (Preview)

Friday, June 16 8:00 pm (Opening)

Saturday, June 17 2:00 pm & 8:00 pm

Sunday, June 18 3:00 pm & 8:00 pm

Tuesday, June 20 8:00 pm

Wednesday, June 21 8:00 pm

Thursday, June 22 8:00 pm

Friday, June 23 8:00 pm

Saturday, June 24 2:00 pm & 8:00 pm

Sunday, June 25 3:00 pm & 8:00 pm

Tuesday, June 27 8:00 pm

Wednesday, June 28 8:00 pm

Thursday, June 29 8:00 pm

Friday, June 30 8:00 pm

Saturday, July 1 2:00 pm & 8:00 pm

Sunday, July 2 3:00 pm & 8:00 pm

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