FST Swings Back To The '50s With HULA HOOP SHA-BOOP 1/9

Florida Studio Theatre is proud to announce the cast for the upcoming Hula Hoop Sha-Boop, by Larry Deckel and John Leicht; Musical arrangements by John Tanner. A delightful stroll back to the fabulous 50s, Hula Hoop Sha-Boop takes us back to the age of innocence. Musical vignettes and comedic stories recount the days of poodle skirts and soda fountains. This sock-hopping tribute, features over a decade of favorites including ‘Yakety Yak,' ‘Stay,' The Twist,' ‘It's My Party,' ‘Peggy Sue' and many more!

Joining the production will be New York Actress Kerri Dawn Brackin as Suzie. Her character will perform songs such as ‘My Boyfriend's Back,' ‘You Don't Own Me,' ‘It's My Party' and others. Brackin toured with the National Tour of Hairspray and her New York credits include Gertrude McFuzz in Seussical at the Park Players (NJ) and Sally in You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown at Spotlight. New York Actor Eric Collins will play Paul. His character will perform songs such as ‘The Twist,' ‘Peggy Sue,' ‘Earth Angel' and others. Collins Off-Broadway credits include Mole in The New Victory Theater's production of The Wind in the Willows; he also can be heard on the Original Cast Recording. His New York credits include Orpheus in Believe at The York Theatre Company, Fishwrap at The New 42nd Street Studios and Lyle in Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile at Town (Theatreworks/USA). New York Actress Allison Couture will play Paula. ‘Locomotion,' ‘Be My Baby,' and ‘Leader of the Pack' are some of her characters featured songs. Couture's regional credits include Ruth Bailey in James

Brennan's (dir.) A Wonderful Life at the Paper Mill Playhouse, Connie Miller in 1940's Radio Hour at the Arvada Center and James Brennan's (dir.) Call Me Madam at the Goodspeed Opera House. Rounding out the cast is New York Actor Austin Owen who will portray Johnny. His characters featured songs include ‘Do You Love Me?,' ‘ The Wanderer,' and ‘Love Potion #9.' Owen's regional credits include Munkustrap in Cats at Central Piedmont, Chuck Cranston in Footloose at Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma and Jesus in Godspell at Playhouse 2000.

The artistic team is Director Bill Castellino. Castellino has directed numerous World Premieres including Dorian Gray at the New York Musical Theatre Festival, Fantasma and Jonah at the New York Shakespeare Festival. His credits also include World Premieres that he has authored or co-authored including Heartbeats at Old Globe, Goodspeed Opera House, Cleveland Playhouse and Pasadena Playhouse, Happy Holidays at the Pasadena Playhouse and Fishwrap at the Adirondack Theatre Festival NY among others. National Tour credits include The Presidents, Fame, Jolson, Chess, Heartbeats, Les Miserables, Esther and Nightclub Cantata.

Joining Castellino are Music Director Vince diMura, Lighting Designer Colleen Jennings and Florida Studio Theatre's resident designer Marcella Beckwith as Costume and Scenic Designer.

The fun-filled Hula Hoop Sha-Boop opens January 6th and continues through March 21, 2009 at the Goldstein Cabaret. Tickets are $26 - $29 and may be purchased from the FST Box Office in person, by phone (941) 366 - 9000 or now 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 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.

Florida Studio Theatre is grateful to Dennis and Graci McGillicuddy and Dale Berkowitz for underwriting the 2008 - 2009 Cabaret Season; Co-Producer Janet Hevey and to the Florida Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Hula Hoop Sha-Boop at The Goldstein Cabaret
$19-$29
Performance Schedule
January 6 - March 21, 2009