Photo Flash: Florida Studio Theater Extends THE LAST ROMANCE

Florida Studio Theatre (FST) announces a two-week extension of the romantic comedy The Last Romance by Joe DiPietro. Directed by Drama Desk Award winner Russell Treyz, The Last Romance will now play performances at the Gompertz Theatre (located at 1247 1st Street, Sarasota, FL) through February 26 as per the following schedule:

Tuesday, February 14 at 8PM

Wednesday, February 15 at 8PM

Thursday, February 16 at 8PM

Friday, February 17 at 8PM

Saturday, February 18 at 2PM and 8PM

Sunday, February 19 at 3PM and 8PM

Tuesday, February 21 at 8PM

Wednesday, February 22 at 8PM

Thursday, February 23 at 8PM

Friday, February 24 at 8PM
Saturday, February 25 at 2PM and 8PM

Sunday, February 26 at 3PM

About the show: The Last Romance is a simple, yet beautiful story about finding love late in life. Set in the lush fall of New England, the story is told mostly in a dog park with flashbacks to the elegant 1940s and 50s with a Young Ralph singing opera arias, from Mozart to Verdi. Director Russell Treyz says, “It’s a gorgeous little play that has so much to say about an older person living their life to the fullest. When I first read the play, I laughed, I cried, and I knew I had to direct this play. Joe DiPietro writes human characters, and this play seems as if it was really written for the Sarasota audience.”

The cast includes seasoned Sarasota actor David S. Howard as Rafael Bellini (you can call him Ralph), Broadway Actress Barbara Broughton as the reticent Carol, returning FST Favorite Marina Re as Ralph’s over-protective sister Rose, and Opera Singer Dane Reese as The Young Man.

Playwright Joe DiPietro recently won two Tony Awards for co-writing Memphis, which also received the 2010 Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards for Best Musical. His other plays and musicals include, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change (which has had two successful productions at FST), Over the River and Through the Woods (produced at FST in 19**), The Toxic Avenger and The Thing About Men (both winners of the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Off Broadway musical), and the Broadway musical, All Shook Up. DiPietro is currently working on a new Gershwin musical, Nice Work If You Can Get It, which will head to Broadway in the spring starring Matthew Broderick. His work has received thousands of productions across the country and around the world.

Single tickets to The Last Romance range from $30-$32 for regular performances. They may be purchased from the FST Box Office in person or by calling (941) 366-9000 or online at www.FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

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 three theatre venues: the Keating Theatre, the Goldstein Cabaret and its newest space, the Gompertz 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.

The Last Romance

Now playing through February 26, 2012

Gompertz Theatre

Tickets: $30-$32

David S. Howard and Barbara Broughton

David S. Howard

Barbara Broughton, David S. Howard, and Dane Reese

Barbara Broughton, Bianca (the dog), David S. Howard, and Marina Re