Florida Studio Theatre Extends THE UNDERPANTS Through 8/11

Florida Studio Theatre is pleased to announce a second extension of The Underpants, by Steve Martin, adapted from Carl Sternheim. The show has been a hit to critics and audiences alike, combining Martin's wacky sense of humor with intelligent insight into human nature. Tickets are on sale and can be purchased by phone at (941) 366-9000, online at FloridaStudioTheatre.org, or by visiting the Box Office.

Some lives are shaped by tragedy, some by art, and others by underpants falling down in public. This play spins the farcical tale of five lives reborn from one accidental act of indecency.

Now extended for the second time, through Sunday August 11, The Underpants features returning company members Gil Brady and Daryl Embry. Brady last appeared in FST's Cabaret production of Reel Music and Embry returns after last appearing in Perfect Wedding. Making their FST debut are company members Jennifer Joan Thompson, Mary Ann Conk, Danny Bernardy, and Chet Carlin. Directing the show is Bruce Jordan, returning to FST after last summer's Perfect Wedding. Jordan is also the original Co-Producer and Director of the national hit, Shear Madness.

The Sarasota Herald-Tribune called The Underpants "Side-splittingly funny" and "Uniformly sharp and witty," stating Martin has written a "Delicious script, filled with bawdy lines, sharp jabs at authority figures and general irreverence." Sarasota Magazine has called the play "Naughty fun" and stated the actors perform with "Accented flair and theatricality." Audiences have agreed, saying The Underpants is "Wonderful," "Enjoyable" and "Better than Broadway."

The cast is equally as thrilled that the show has been extended for a second time, and can't say enough about the direction by Bruce Jordan. Mary Ann Conk, playing the role of Gertrude, states "Working with Bruce Jordan is like taking a comedy Master Class... The man knows and breathes comedy; he understands its fragility, how precise all ingredients must be for it to work." Daniel Bernardy, playing the role of Frank Versati states, "I am thrilled to be going into a second week of extensions of Bruce Jordan's production, simply because the play is so much fun to execute, every time. Sarasota audiences have been a dream to play for... a community that is both playful and sophisticated; a perfect fit for a Steve Martin show!"

Single Tickets for The Underpants range from $18 - $34 will be on sale now through August 11, 2013. They can be purchased by phone at (941) 366-9000, online at FloridaStudioTheatre.org, or by visiting the Box Office at 1241 North Palm Avenue in Downtown Sarasota.

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 four theatre venues: the Keating Theatre, the newly renovated Gompertz Theatre, the Goldstein Cabaret and the new John C. Court Cabaret.

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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