CAROLE'S KINGS Kicks Off FST's 2018 Summer Cabaret Season

Studio Theatre (FST) kicks off its 5th Summer Sidekicks Cabaret Series with the high energy music revue Carole's Kings. Honoring one of the most cherished and revered singer-songwriters of the 20th century, this cabaret transports audiences back in time to when Carole King was queen of the airwaves. Carole's Kings opens in FST's John C. Court Cabaret on June 14, and is part of a 3-show Summer Cabaret subscription package, which can be purchased for as little as $49. This package also includes The Music of the Night, an all-new show featuring some of the swingin'est versions of songs embraced by the worlds of theatre and jazz, and Gilbert & Sullivan Unplugged, celebrating the most beloved songs by the British composing duo. Subscriptions as well as single tickets are available by calling the FST box office at (941) 366-9000 or at floridastudiotheatre.org.

Carole King is one of the most acclaimed and popular singer-songwriters in modern music history. This one-of-a-kind, all-male tribute to King mixes her fabulous music with clever writing by The Second City, the legendary home of sketch comedy and improv. With a cast fresh from Broadway and hits like "The Loco-Motion," and "I Feel the Earth Move," Carole's Kings will have audiences singing and dancing in their seats. Audiences call Carole's Kings "Fantastic-they bring Carole King to the stage!" and say that the show goes "Way beyond expectations-amazing!"

Audiences will hear more than just King's hits in this season opener-Carole's Kings provides new and inventive interpretations of King's lesser known and most popular songs. "You hear it [King's music] as if for the first time," explained FST's Producing Artistic Director, Richard Hopkins. "You get a whole fresh take and deep appreciation for her music and it really works! Carole's Kings has beautiful harmonies, great voices, and a great sense of humor."

Cast in Carole's Kings are four newcomers to FST: Jordan Aragon, Trey Harrington, Ken Lear, and Thomas Miller. Aragon was part of the national tour of Beauty and the Beast, and has worked on classical and devised work at the Shakespeare Theatre Company, La Mama E.T.C., and the San Francisco Opera. Harrington has performed across the Northeast in productions of Billy Elliot (The Palace Theatre), Les Miserables (Zach Theatre), and Carnival (Gloucester Stage). Besides performing in Radio City Christmas Spectacular as a featured singer, Lear has performed regionally at New Hampshire's Palace Theatre and the New Music Theatre of San Francisco. Fresh off the national tour of Finding Neverland, Thomas Miller has also been seen in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever and Godspell at the A.D. Players Theater's in Houston, Texas.

One of the cabaret's creators and producers, DJ Bucciarelli of 2A Productions, knew that he wanted to create a distinct musical tribute to King and her extraordinary career. "Once I started combing through [King's] catalogue, I became a massive fan," said Bucciarelli. "I fell in love with her simple melodies, but passionate lyrics. More than that, the stories behind her songs. Carole's music is not only beautiful, but important - dealing with marriage, race, politics, and every emotion a human can muster. From the fun barbershop feel of "Chains" to the haunting "So Far Away," she really does write for everyone.

Kings opens in FST's Court Cabaret on June 14 and runs through July 15. The production is part of a 3-show Summer Cabaret subscription package, which can be purchased for as little as $49. This package also includes The Music of the Night, an all-new show featuring some of the swingin'est versions of songs embraced by the worlds of theatre and jazz, and Gilbert & Sullivan Unplugged, celebrating the most beloved songs by the British composing duo. Subscriptions as well as single tickets are available by calling the FST box office at (941) 366-9000 or at www.floridastudiotheatre.org.

About Florida Studio Theatre

Known as Sarasota's Contemporary Theatre, Florida Studio Theatre was founded in 1973 by Artist 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 five theatre venues: the Keating Theatre, the Gompertz Theatre, the Goldstein Cabaret, the John C. Court Cabaret, and Bowne's Lab Theatre.

Even with its growth, Florida Studio Theatre remains firmly committed to making the arts accessible and affordable to a broad-based audience. Under Producing Artistic Director Richard Hopkins, 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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