INSPIRED LUNACY Launches FST's 2015 Summer Season Tonight

Florida Studio Theatre's Summer Mainstage Season kicks off with the wayward, witty world of Inspired Lunacy, the Tour de Force production of The Hound of the Baskervilles, and the funny and heart-warming play, Over the River and Through the Woods. The Summer Cabaret Season will consist of the eclectic musical stylings of Six Guitars, by Chase Padgett and Jay Hopkins, the boot-tapping songs from Kings of Country, by Eric Scott Anthony, and the hip-swinging, hand-jiving sounds of The Swingaroos, by Kimberly Hawkey & Assaf Gleizner.

Artistic Director Richard Hopkins shares his excitement for this Summer Season filled with humor and heart stating, "This season features a melting pot of song, love, and laughter. It is filled with plays that explore the real issues of our day and the gripping human stories of our age. From the wacky comedy of Inspired Lunacy which features some of the greatest comedy and novelty songs of the past century to the touching Over the River and Through the Woods, we have chosen shows that illuminate the universal themes of our lives."

The Summer Mainstage Season opens tonight, June 3 and plays through August 9 in the Keating and Gompertz Theatres. A subscription to all three plays can be purchased for as little as $39. The Summer Sidekicks Cabaret Season opens June 9 and plays through September 20 in the John C. Court Cabaret. A subscription to all three shows can be purchased for as little as $39. All subscriptions and single tickets may be purchased at the FST Box Office in person or by calling (941) 366-9000 or online at www.FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

The 2015 Summer Mainstage Season kicks off in the Gompertz with Inspired Lunacy, by Richard Hopkins. The Sarasota Herald-Tribune calls it, "Ingeniously funny." An irreverent collection of witty, wacky, and whimsical novelty songs. Join our comic explorers as they set out on a daring mission to amuse, delight, and maybe figure out where humanity has gone wrong. Relying on the waggish wisdom of composers such as Allan Sherman, Monty Python, and Kander and Ebb and songs like "Helium" and "Jolly Old Signmund Freud" our wayward jesters attempt to solve the mystery at the center of the universe. Inspired Lunacy will be playing in the Gompertz Theatre from June 3 to June 21.

Second in the season is The Hound of the Baskervilles by Steven Canny and John Nicholson. The New York Times calls it a "Surprisingly elegant production." Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson were never so funny. The game is afoot as three actors take on multiple roles, ala 39 Steps, to poke fun at the mystery and melodrama of the moor. The Hound of the Baskervilles will be playing in the Keating Theatre from July 1 to August 2.

Closing out the Summer Mainstage Season in the Gompertz Theatre is the deeply human, Over the River and Through the Woods by Joe DiPietro. From the author of I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change, The Last Romance, and Broadway's Memphis. Faced with a life-changing career decision, Nick must navigate the scheming shenanigans of all four of his grandparents to make him stay. Surprises and hilarity abound in this family fiasco. Described as "A little slice of genius" by the New York Times, Over the River and Through the Woods will be playing in the Gompertz Theatre from July 22 to August 9. FST's Associate Director and Director of this production, Kate Alexander speaks to her initial reaction to this script. "Leave-takings are messy, infuriating, hysterically funny, sad and filled with love. DiPietro reveals each of these tender four heartstrings in Over the River. Re reading it with my more mature eyes, I fell in love with it all over again. It is a play that grows as we grow - and never ceases to bring forward new fruits of understanding in this very special juncture in life; saying goodbye to those we love."

All three shows of the Summer Mainstage Season -- Inspired Lunacy, The Hound of the Baskervilles, and Over the River and Through the Woods -- will be presented at FST's Keating or Gompertz Theatre. Single tickets range from $36-39. A subscription for all three shows can be purchased for as little as $39.

Opening the Summer Cabaret Series is Six Guitars by Chase Padgett and Jay Hopkins. Chase Padgett delivers a virtuoso performance as he becomes 6 different guitar players - each with their own distinct voice, views, and musical style. The show features songs from major music genres such as Blues, Jazz, Rock, Classical, Folk, and Country. The Austin Post gives full approval calling it, "A great piece of musical performance." Six Guitars will be playing in the Court Cabaret from June 9 to July 12.

Next in the season following this uniquely charismatic artist will be Kings of Country, which will span four decades of music royalty. Filled with stories from songs such as "Crazy" to "I Got Friends in Low Places," these songs are woven into the fabric of American music history. Starring Eric Scott Anthony and featuring artists such as Patsy Cline, Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Garth Brooks, Dolly Parton, and more. Kings of Country will be playing in the Court Cabaret from July 14 - August 16.

Rounding out the Summer Cabaret Series is the 1930s and 40s style swing band, The Swingaroos. New York City's underground jazz band with a suitcase full of original songs and Hit Parade covers from the 20s to the 2010s. A little kitschy, a little classy, and a lot of fun, The Swingaroos continue the tradition of the swing-era Territory bands. New York Music Daily calls them a, "Fun, original retro swing band." The Swingaroos will be playing in the Court Cabaret from August 18 to September 20.

All three shows of the Summer Cabaret Series -- Six Guitars, Kings of Country, and The Swingaroos -- will be presented at FST's John C. Court Cabaret. Single tickets range from $32 - $36. A subscription for all three shows can be purchased for as little as $39. Both subscription tickets and single tickets may be purchased from the FST Box Office in person or by calling (941) 366-9000 or online at www.FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

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 then acquired the former Woman's Club building, becoming the first permanent venue. Shortly after 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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