Florida Studio Theatre Announces Its 5th Summer Cabaret Season

Florida Studio Theatre announces its 5th Summer Cabaret Season with three delightfully inventive music revues. Carole's Kings kicks off the season with laughter and smooth harmonies in a unique tribute to one of America's most beloved singer-songwriters, Carole King. Following right behind are The Swingaroos with an all-new show, Music of the Night, celebrating the past century of Broadway hits. Capping off the Cabaret season is Gilbert & Sullivan Unplugged, a stripped-down, funky salute to the 19th century composing duo. The season opens on June 14 and runs through September 23 in FST's Court Cabaret. Single tickets range from $36-39. A subscription to all three Cabaret shows can be purchased for as little as $49. Subscriptions and single tickets can be purchased in person at the FST Box Office, by calling (941) 366-9000, or online at FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

With clever writing by The Second City, the legendary home of sketch comedy and improv, and music by one of the most successful female songwriters of all time, Carole's Kings will transport you back in time to when Carole King was queen of the airwaves. With iconic songs like "The Loco-Motion," "You've Got a Friend," and "I Feel the Earth Move," this high energy, all-male salute to Carole King will have audiences singing and dancing all night long. Audiences say that Carole's Kings is "Fantastic-they bring Carole King to the stage!" and goes "Way beyond expectations-amazing." After hearing the slick harmonies, fine voices, and great humor in Carole's Kings, Producing Artistic Director Richard Hopkins knew the show would be a great fit for FST. "[You] get Carole King reinterpreted by three guys and you hear it as if for the first time," said Hopkins. "You get a whole fresh take and deep appreciation of [King's] music and it really works." Carole's Kings will play in FST's Court Cabaret from June 12 to July 15.

Returning to FST for this Summer's Second Cabaret are The Swingaroos, whose brand new show Music of the Night highlights the group's swingin'est versions of songs embraced by the worlds of Broadway and jazz alike. With a touch of 40s flair and bold arrangements, The Swingaroos lend a spirited voice to hits by the Gershwins, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, and many more. Talkin' Broadway describes The Swingaroos as "Awesome in every way" and "A delight." The Sarasota Herald-Tribune agrees, calling them a "Stellar group of musicians" who put "Lively twists on old sounds."

"Music of the Night is different, and is a fresh, new twist on Broadway songs," shared FST Associate Artist Catherine Randazzo. "They're going to throw in some of the more modern songs from Broadway and put a nice older twist on them so they feel like they still come from the swing era." Hopkins adds, "The Swingaroos have such a great sound-it feels like the old bands [of the 20s, 30s, and 40s] but at the same time it's very new. They've got a great interpretation [of the music]." With musical arrangements by Assaf Gleizner, Music of the Night was created by Kimberly Hawkey for The Swingaroos and will be playing in FST's Court Cabaret from July 17 to August 19.

The 2018 Summer Cabaret Season concludes with Gilbert & Sullivan Unplugged: Modern Twist, Major Hits-a dynamic, rollicking revue featuring updated versions of British operettas' greatest hits. Armed with violins, guitars, banjos, flutes and more, the cast of Gilbert & Sullivan Unplugged has delighted audiences across the US with lovingly loopy renditions of songs from HMS Pinafore, The Mikado, and The Pirates of Penzance. Hopkins explains what makes Gilbert & Sullivan Unplugged distinct from other interpretations of Gilbert & Sullivan's work: "The arrangements are completely different and give you a whole new angle [to the music]. The show is sort of cut on the bias-it's very specific. It's funkier too. This show makes Gilbert & Sullivan even more accessible." Opening on August 23, Gilbert & Sullivan Unplugged wraps up the 2018 Summer Cabaret Season in FST's Court Cabaret.

All three shows of FST's 5th Summer Cabaret Season-Carole's Kings, Music of the Night, and Gilbert & Sullivan Unplugged: Modern Twist, Major Hits-will be presented at FST's Court Cabaret. Single tickets range from $36-39. A subscription for all three Cabaret shows can be purchased for as little as $49. All subscriptions and single tickets may be purchased in person at the FST Box Office, by calling (941) 366-9000, or online at 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 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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