Sarasota News Events:
Florida Studio Theatre (FST) is proud to announce the lineup for its 2025-26 Winter Season, featuring a four-show Mainstage Series and a three-show Cabaret Series! This year’s Mainstage Series features a madcap musical caper, a heartwarming play about tailor-made suits and fresh starts, an imaginative comedy about the men behind the moon landing, and a Broadway hit capturing the extraordinary moments of everyday life. The Cabaret Series features three original musical revues that celebrate iconic performers, unforgettable songs, and transformative eras in popular culture.
“What a wonderful season of new plays, unknown plays, and plays for an audience to discover first and fresh,” said FST’s Producing Artistic Director Richard Hopkins. “In this time of political polarization, our goal is to unite. A Tailor Near Me unites two men of vastly different cultural backgrounds. The Blue-Sky Boys unites a team of wacky engineers to put a man on the moon. Birthday Candles unites us as a family. And Lucky Stiff unites us in laughter. I hope you enjoy the season.”
The Mainstage Series opens with Lucky Stiff, with book and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and music by Stephen Flaherty, which begins performances on November 5, 2025, in FST’s Gompertz Theatre. DC Theater Arts calls this award-winning musical a “hilarious romp,” promising that “you will have an uproarious time!” From the Tony-winning creators of Ragtime comes a zany comedy about an unassuming English shoe salesman who must escort the embalmed body of his murdered uncle on a vacation to Monte Carlo – or risk losing out on a $6 million inheritance. Mistaken identities, romantic entanglements, and nonstop laughs abound in this high-spirited musical.
Next is A Tailor Near Me by Michael Tucker, playing in FST’s Keating Theatre starting December 10, 2025. In this heartfelt story, a man visits a tailor to have his pants let out, only to discover that what he truly needs is a new suit – and perhaps a new outlook. As the tailor takes his measurements, a transformative bond forms between the two men. Called “remarkable” and “a must-see” by Broadway World, A Tailor Near Me celebrates unexpected friendships, personal reinvention, and fresh starts.
Following is The Blue-Sky Boys, a creative comedy by Deborah Brevoort, starting January 21, 2026, in the Gompertz Theatre. Called “overflowing with playfulness and humor” by Times Union, this two-act play dives into the minds of the maverick engineers who stopped at nothing to put a man on the moon. Through a bold blend of imagination and intellect, The Blue-Sky Boys explores the men behind one of humanity’s greatest achievements, reminding us that the sky isn’t the limit: it’s just the beginning.
FST’s 2025-26 Winter Mainstage Series closes with the Broadway show Birthday Candles, written by Noah Haidle and beginning in FST’s Gompertz Theatre on April 1, 2026. Experience the poignant and funny moments that define one woman’s existence – from her 17th birthday to her 101st. Called “a true gift” by Variety, this play beautifully captures the highlights, heartbreaks, and ordinary moments that make life extraordinary.
FST Cabaret presents three dynamic music revues as part of the 2025-26 Winter Season. With unforgettable songs and fresh arrangements, each cabaret honors the artists who revolutionized music and shaped culture.
“Developing the shows for the Cabaret season is one of my greatest challenges and joys as an artist,” said Rebecca Hopkins, FST’s Managing Director. “Each production is created with our audience in mind – we want to share the stories of the lyric poets of our day and highlight the lasting impact they’ve had on American culture. This season is about range, discovery, and the enduring power of a great song.”
Opening the Winter Cabaret Series is Feeling Good, beginning September 24, 2025, in FST’s Court Cabaret. From Sinatra to Bublé, Bette to Gaga – Feeling Good brings you an unforgettable night of swing, sass, and smooth style. Featuring favorites like “Come Fly With Me,” “Moondance,” and “Me and Mrs. Jones,” this high-energy revue pays tribute to the modern crooners of our age.
Next is Three Pianos, starting November 19, 2025, in the Goldstein Cabaret. Featuring music from Billy Joel, Alicia Keys, Ray Charles, and Freddie Mercury, Three Pianos celebrates the rebels, romantics, and risk-takers who turned 88 keys into pure magic. Called “show-stopping” by the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, this cabaret returns with new songs, new stories, and the same irresistible energy that made it a crowd favorite.
Closing out the Cabaret Series is One Hit Wonders, playing in FST’s Court Cabaret beginning February 11, 2026. From the epic storytelling of “American Pie” to the carefree whistle of “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” this show celebrates the artists who gave us a single great hit. Quirky, charming, and packed with guilty pleasures, One Hit Wonders proves that sometimes one hit is all you need.
With its mission to make theatre accessible to as many people as possible, FST offers all four Mainstage shows for as little as $79, and all three Cabarets for as little as $59. Subscriptions are now on sale at FloridaStudioTheatre.org or at (941) 366-9000.
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SEASON AT A GLANCE
MAINSTAGE
Lucky Stiff
Book and Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens
Music by Stephen Flaherty
Directed and Choreographed by Ben Liebert
Music Direction by Nathaniel Beliveau
November 5, 2025 – December 28, 2025 | Gompertz Theatre
A comedic murder mystery, complete with mistaken identities, six million bucks in diamonds, and a corpse in a wheelchair. An unassuming English shoe salesman is forced to take the embalmed body of his recently murdered uncle on a vacation to Monte Carlo. Should he succeed in passing his uncle off as alive, Harry Witherspoon stands to inherit six million dollars. If not, the money goes to the Universal Dog Home of Brooklyn…or else his uncle’s gun-toting ex!
A Tailor Near Me
Written by Michael Tucker
Directed by Kate Alexander
December 10, 2025 – February 15, 2026 | Keating Theatre
Southeastern Premiere. In this heartwarming tale, a man visits a tailor to have his suit pants let out after realizing he’s gained some weight since he last wore them. What starts as a simple alteration turns into a transformative journey. Through their deepening conversations both their lives are altered. A Tailor Near Me is a story of self-discovery, friendship, and the magic of a perfectly tailored suit.
The Blue-Sky Boys
Written by Deborah Brevoort
Directed by Richard Hopkins
January 21, 2026 – March 8, 2026 | Gompertz Theatre
Southeastern Premiere. When President Kennedy vowed to put a man on the moon, the task landed in the hands of a band of maverick engineers – once the misfits of American science. With no rulebook, they embraced “blue-skying,” drawing inspiration from Buck Rogers, Greek myths, Louis Leakey, and even Snoopy and the Red Baron. An exhilarating ride through the wild imagination that made one giant leap possible!
Birthday Candles
Written by Noah Haidle
Directed by Kate Alexander
April 1, 2026 – May 17, 2026 | Gompertz Theatre
Southeastern Premiere. Ernestine Ashworth spends her 17th birthday agonizing over her insignificance in the universe. Soon enough, it’s her 18th birthday. Even sooner, her 41st. Her 70th. Her 101st. Five generations, an infinity of dreams, and one cake baked over a century.
CABARET
Feeling Good
Written by Rebecca Hopkins & Richard Hopkins
Directed by Catherine Randazzo
Choreographed by Ben Liebert
Music Direction by Nathaniel Beliveau
Musical Arrangements by Jim Prosser
September 24, 2025 – February 8, 2026 | Court Cabaret
Swing into an evening of style, swagger, and timeless charm with Feeling Good, a high-energy celebration of modern crooners. From the timeless elegance of Sinatra and the smooth sophistication of Michael Bublé to the sparkle of Bette Midler and Lady Gaga, this show delivers silky vocals, irresistible rhythms, and captivating personality. Savor swingin’ favorites like “Come Fly With Me” and “It Had to Be You,” fresh hits like “Home” and “Moondance,” and delightfully cheeky numbers such as “Stuff Like That There” and “Me and Mrs. Jones.” Equal parts class and sass, Feeling Good will leave you – well – feeling good.
Three Pianos
Written by Richard Hopkins, Rebecca Hopkins, & Sarah Durham
Directed by Catherine Randazzo
Musical Arrangements by Jim Prosser
November 19, 2025 – March 29, 2026 | Goldstein Cabaret
From Billy Joel to Alicia Keys, from Ray Charles to Freddie Mercury, Three Pianos celebrates the piano legends who refused to play by the rules. These aren’t your cookie-cutter rock stars: they’re the rebels, romantics, and risk-takers who turned 88 keys into pure magic. Enjoy timeless favorites like “Crocodile Rock,” “Just the Way You Are,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “I’m Still Standing,” and “Beautiful.” From the soulful sway of Fats Domino to the anthemic joy of Elton John, this high-energy musical revue proves that when you follow your own tune, the music never stops.
One Hit Wonders
Written by Richard Hopkins & Rebecca Hopkins
Directed by Catherine Randazzo
Choreographed by Ben Liebert
Music Direction by Nathaniel Beliveau
Musical Arrangements by Jim Prosser
February 11, 2026 – June 21, 2026 | Court Cabaret
Step into the spotlight with One Hit Wonders, a toe-tapping celebration of those unforgettable songs that lit up the charts and became part of our lives. From the epic storytelling of “American Pie” to the carefree whistle of “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” this show celebrates the artists who gave us a single great hit. Quirky, charming, and packed with guilty pleasures, One Hit Wonders proves that sometimes one hit is all you need.
###About Florida Studio Theatre
Florida Studio Theatre (FST) is Sarasota’s contemporary theatre. Founded in 1973, FST has grown to a village of five theatres located in the heart of downtown Sarasota. Each theatre is small in size and large in impact – providing intimate and engaging settings for high-quality, professional performances.
Today, FST has established itself as a major force in American Theatre. FST is the largest subscription theatre in the state of Florida and among the largest in the country, serving more than 225,000 live attendees each year across its diverse programs: Mainstage, Cabaret, Stage III, Children’s Theatre, Improv, The FST School, and New Play Development.
Even with its growth, Florida Studio Theatre remains firmly committed to making the arts accessible and affordable to as many people as possible. Under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director Richard Hopkins, FST develops theatre that speaks to our living, evolving, and dynamically changing world. Hip and historical, entertaining and challenging, we are where everyone is welcome to engage in the art of theatre.
