FST's UNCHAINED MELODIES Breaks Box Office Records

Florida Studio Theatre (FST) proudly announces that its incredibly popular Cabaret celebrating male harmony groups, Unchained Melodies, is now the most successful Cabaret in FST history. By the time Unchained Melodies closes on March 23, over 19,900 people will have seen the production, outstripping past record holders: Blue Suede Shoes (more than 19,000) and Piano Men (more than 18,000). After completing more than 160 performances over the course of 18 weeks in FST's Court Cabaret, the production had to end-another Cabaret, The Wonder Years, was loading into the same space-so the cast was sent home. FST then brought back cast members to be part of a 3-week limited engagement run. "Unchained Melodies will definitely go down as a benchmark production in the Cabaret," shared Rebecca Hopkins, FST's Managing Director and Lead Developer of the Cabaret.

Tickets are available for the final performances of Unchained Melodies at floridastudiotheatre.org and 941.366.9000.

Unchained Melodies celebrates the male harmony groups of the '50s and '60s, featuring songs by doo-wop and Motown's top artists like The Drifters and The Temptations. Throughout the run, audience members have danced in their seats and hummed along to songs like "Blue Moon," "16 Candles," "Save the Last Dance," and "Working My Way Back to You."

"We are very proud to have created this show for Sarasota. It has been a delight to work on from beginning to end," added Hopkins. "It is a rare and wonderful thing in the theatre when the stars align and everything comes together perfectly for a show. This material, the cast, the creative team, all came together with our audience and something special happened. We never Take That for granted."

The cast of Unchained Melodies, which consists of Nick Anastasia, Nathaniel P. Claridad, James LaRosa, and David Marmanillo, has enjoyed serving up smooth harmonies for over 20 weeks in Sarasota. "I was elated when I heard that they wanted to bring us back for an encore run of performances," explained Anastasia. "It's been incredibly rewarding-and heartwarming, to say the least-to look into the crowd each and every night and see someone's eyes light up upon hearing certain songs. This music triggers some powerful memories for many audience members, and seeing that happen in front of us every night never gets old."

Critics have also been charmed by Unchained Melodies. The Observer calls the musical revue "World class" and "Great fun." Broadway World calls it "A fast paced jog down memory lane," "Delightful," and "Deliciously engaging." Total Theater dubs it "A great audience pleaser," "Impressive," and "Energetic."

This production is made possible thanks to support in part by Culture Builds Florida, Gulf Coast Community Foundation, The Exchange, and Sarasota SCENE Magazine. Unchained Melodies will play in FST's Keating Theatre through March 23. Tickets are available for the final few performances of Unchained Melodies are available at floridastudiotheatre.org and 941.366.9000.

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