Florida Studio Theatre Extends THE PRIMA DONNETTES and THURGOOD

Due to popular demand, Florida Studio Theatre announces the extensions of THE PRIMA DONNETTES, developed by Richard Hopkins and Jim Prosser with special assistance by Rebecca Hopkins and THURGOOD, by George Stevens, Jr. Subscriptions for all three Cabaret shows can be purchased for as little as $35 and all four Mainstage shows can be purchased for as little as $45 online at FloridaStudioTheatre.org, by phone at (941) 366-9000 or by visiting the Box Office. Single tickets for THE PRIMA DONNETTES from $18-36 and for THURGOOD from $36-39.

THE PRIMA DONNETTES opened on October 25 in the John C. Court Cabaret. Due to audience response, the show has been extended for a 17th week, shattering all previous Cabaret show records. Returning company member and one of THE PRIMA DONNETTES, Jannie Jones describes her experience on this show stating, "I love doing this show with my sweet and talented cast. What I love even more are the smiles, cheers and participation of our audiences as they travel down memory lane. It's simply a joy!

THURGOOD opened on Friday, December 13 in the Keating Theatre at FST. This show has now been extended for a 13th week. In an interview with the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, Director Kate Alexander, described the man who was Thurgood Marshall stating, "He was a trailblazer. There he was, armed with the Constitution, working quietly in the most insidious, evil little towns where it was totally corrupt; lynchings and lies were entrenched. There was this man who came into the community and made a difference."

Cast as the American hero, Thurgood Marshall, is Montae Russell. Among his many film and television roles, he is most recognized for his role of Dwight Zadro on the series ER. Russell performed the role of Thurgood Marshall at the Pittsburgh Public Theatre this past summer and is a seasoned performer on Broadway and around the country. A powerful performer and native to Pittsburgh, this is Russell's FST debuT. Russell speaks to the excitement of extending the show stating, "I am pleased to learn that THURGOOD has been extended. This means more opportunities to perform this exciting and relevant show in front of the first rate, knowledgeable, theatre savvy, audiences of Sarasota!"

These two shows will not be extended again due to spacing needs for upcoming shows. THURGOOD, by George Stevens, Jr. is extended in the Keating Theatre through March 8, 2014. THE PRIMA DONNETTES is extended in the John C. Court Cabaret through February 14, 2014. Subscriptions for all four Mainstage shows can be purchased for as little as $45 and all three Cabaret shows can be purchased for as little as $35 online at FloridaStudioTheatre.org, by phone at (941) 366-9000 or by visiting the Box Office. Single tickets for THURGOOD range from $36-39 and for THE PRIMA DONNETTES from $18-36. You can also join the conversation and post on the THURGOOD online forum at www.fst-blog.com.

About Florida Studio Theatre: Known as Sarasota's Contemporary Theatre, Florida Studio Theatre was founded in 1973 by 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 Goldstein Cabaret, the renovated Gompertz Theatre, the John C. Court Cabaret and the new 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 Richard Hopkins, Artistic Director and CEO, 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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