Florida Studio Theatre Extends ALWAYS...PATSY CLINE

Due to audience demand, Florida Studio Theatre (FST) announces the extension of its first Mainstage production of the Summer Season, Always...Patsy Cline, before it opens on June 1. This musical, which the New York Times has called "Groundbreaking" and "Heartfelt," is a touching tribute to Patsy Cline and her enduring music. Always...Patsy Cline was an Off-Broadway hit and has been met with love and box office success wherever it has been produced. Now extended through June 24, Always...Patsy Cline is part of a 3-show Summer Mainstage subscription package, which can be purchased for as little as $39. This package also includes Murder for Two, a whimsical musical mystery whodunit, as well as Other People's Money, another Off-Broadway hit exploring ethics and business. Subscriptions as well as single tickets are available by calling the FST box office at (941) 366-9000 or at www.floridastudiotheatre.org.

With a four piece live band and Cline's most recognized songs, Always...Patsy Cline will make audiences "Fall in love with the singer Patsy Cline all over again" in this compelling production (Broadway World). In this tuneful and memorable tribute, Patsy Cline's most avid fan, Louise Seger, tells the story of Cline's rise to legendary stardom from her humble beginnings performing in honky-tonks to selling out the Grand Ole Opry. Featuring such hits as "Walking After Midnight," "I Fall to Pieces," "Crazy," and "Sweet Dreams," Always...Patsy Cline proves that Cline will "always" have a place in country music.

Taking on the role of Louise Seger is Susan Greenhill, who is returning to FST for her tenth production. "What keeps bringing me back to beautiful Sarasota is doing theatre with so many people who are completely dedicated to it, especially my friend and director Kate Alexander," shared Greenhill. "The audiences in Sarasota are among the best I've ever performed for in the whole country."

Playing the iconic country songstress is Meredith Jones, who was last seen in FST's 2016 Winter Cabaret Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves, a musical revue celebrating female musicians whose powerhouse vocals and charisma captivated the world. Jones is excited and humbled to play this Queen of Country in her first time on the FST Mainstage. "This is my first time playing a real character," shared Jones. "You have to live up to the standard that people hold for this person, and do them justice. You instantly feel the weight of that, but you also get to learn and watch that real person to help you with your performance!"

Now extended through June 24 in FST's Gompertz Theatre, Always...Patsy Cline honors the country music icon whose distinct, emotionally raw vocals and talent continue to remind us of music's ability to connect and inspire us all. Always ...Patsy Cline is part of a 3-show Summer Mainstage subscription, which can be purchased for as little as $39. Subscriptions as well as single tickets are available at 941.366.9000 and 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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