FST Announces Additional Extension of BLUE SUEDE SHOES

Due to overwhelming audience response, Florida Studio Theatre announces the fourth extension of Blue Suede Shoes through April 29 in the Goldstein Cabaret. With music from legends like Elvis Presley, Ray Charles, and James Brown, devoted audiences keep returning to FST's "Sensational" rock & roll music revue with a "Top notch" and "Absolutely mesmerizing" cast. Single tickets may be purchased online at www.FloridaStudioTheatre.org, by phone at (941) 366-9000, or by visiting the Box Office.

As the longest running production in FST's entire history, Blue Suede Shoes-now extended into its 22nd week of performances-is smashing the theatre's box office records. Audiences are saying, "This has to be the best show in Florida, don't miss it!" Theatergoers are led down memory lane as they hear the songs that shaped their younger years. After a performance, an audience member shared with Blue Suede Shoes performer Nygel Robinson, "The music that you hear between ages 14 and 18 [like the songs in Blue Suede Shoes] sticks with you the rest of your life. You'll never hear anything better or worse the rest of your life." The wonderful atmosphere that allows the audience to remember their youth fondly is just one of many reasons audiences can't get enough of that old time rock &roll in FST's Goldstein Cabaret.

Another reason is the impressive, "Multi-talented" cast whose "Hard-driving and explosive solo performances...get the house rocking" (Sarasota Herald-Tribune). The Observer lauds Gabe Aronson's "Sizzling keyboard work," which goes well alongside Joe Casey's "Great voice" and "Mean guitar" skills. Add the "High-voltage" Jannie Jones and the "Smooth voiced" and "Deft" Nygel Robinson, and you bet there will be a whole lot of shaking going on (The Observer).

Casey and Jones-who have been part of FST's other hit Cabarets and Mainstage productions-are ecstatic about this latest extension. Casey shares, "Every Cabaret I've been in has broken the previous record. Poems, Prayers, and Promises (2014) made the record, which was beat the next year by American Pie...and now Blue Suede Shoes is going to be the one to beat, which says a lot about the excitement and enjoyment of the cabaret series. They just keep getting more and more popular."

Jones appreciates being able to interact with the audience even before the performance begins. She explains, "At the start of Act Two, we all come on stage and sometimes chat with excited audience members who ask us questions." Casey shares, laughing, "There are always great interactions with the audience. I was proposed to the other night-a patron asked if I would marry her." Jones adds, "One lady shimmied with me throughout the entire show. It was so much fun!"

Blue Suede Shoes continues in FST's Goldstein Cabaret through April 29. Single tickets may be purchased online at www.floridastudiotheatre.org, by phone at (941) 366-9000, or by visiting the Box Office.

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 then acquired the former Woman's Club building, becoming the first permanent venue. Shortly after Producing Artistic Director Richard Hopkins arrived, the building was purchased and 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 Parisian style Goldstein Cabaret and 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. 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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