FST Ends 2010/2011 Season With GHOST WRITER, 5/29

Florida Studio Theatre will close its 2010/11 season with Michael Hollinger's intelligent new play, Ghost-Writer. Ghost-Writer is apart of FST's 20th annual SARASOTA FESTIVAL OF NEW PLAYS. This production also marks the second Hollinger production at FST, after the critically-acclaimed production of Opus during the 2008/09 season. Ghost-Writer closes on the Keating Theatre stage on May 29.

"We're thrilled to work with Michael Hollinger. Our production of Opus received a tremendous response from Sarasota audience," said Artistic Director Richard Hopkins. "Michael's work as a playwright is inspired, intelligent, and fraught with feeling. Florida Studio Theatre is lucky to present his work yet again."

Ghost-Writer is a mysterious tale of artistic creation and forbidden love. In early 20th century New York, novelist Franklin Woolsey dictates his latest book to his young secretary, Myra. As they work feverishly together on Franklin's latest transcript, they form a romantic and creative bond. Or do they? When their relationship is called into question, the devoted secretary must defend the truth as she sees it.

FST produces the third production of Ghost-Writer. The new play received its world premiere in September at the Arden Theatre Company in Philadelphia, where it received rave reviews. "This engrossing, old-fashioned play is about the drama of writing - and typing - and creativity and love...[An] extraordinary marriage between fiction and theater," said The Philadelphia Inquirer. Talkin' Broadway called it "a lovely and stirring drama." Ghost-Writer is the recipient of a prestigious Edgerton Foundation New American Play Award. To date, 111 Edgerton Foundation New American Play Awards have been granted and thirty-four of those plays have gone on to further productions including 2009 Tony Award Winners Next to Normal and 33 Variations; and 2010 Tony Award nominees Time Stands Still and In the Next Room, or the vibrator play.

Associate Director Kate Alexander will direct Ghost-Writer. Ms. Alexander has directed numerous productions and premieres on the FST stages including I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change, Sylvia, Bridge & Tunnel, Shotgun, Shirley Valentine, The Miamians, Brooklyn Boy, The Exonerated, Wit, Proof, Lobby Hero, and Ten Unknowns. Ms. Alexander has also been a resident actress with Florida Studio Theatre for the past 20 years. Some of her leading roles were seen in the plays: The Goat, Filumena, Master Class, Three Tall Women, The Play About the Baby, and Golda's Balcony.

Florida Studio Theatre welcomes back New York-based actress Amy Tribbey as the devoted secretary, Myra Babbage. Ms. Tribbey appeared on FST's stage in Last Train to Nibroc (Best of the Suncoast, Best Actress award) and The Lieutenant of Inishmore. The cast also features Broadway actor Colin Lane as novelist Franklin Woolsey. Mr. Lane has appeared in A Touch Of The Poet and Molly Sweeney on Broadway and Off-Broadway in The Colleen Bawn (Drama Desk Award nomination), Philadelphia Here I Come, A Child's Christmas In Wales, Alvin Epstein's King Lear among others.

New York actress Hollis McCarthy joins the cast as the estranged wife, Vivian Woolsey. Ms. McCarthy was in the Off-Broadway production of Gabriel at the Atlantic Theatre Company, and in several regional productions including the world premiere of Cornelia at the acclaimed Old Globe Theatre in San Diego.

The production team includes are scenic designer Rob Eastman-Mullins and lighting designer Richard
Chamblin. Returning to FST as costume designer is Sara Hinkley, who recently designed Brassy Broads and I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change.

Ghost-Writer previews begin on Wednesday, April 6, with opening night on Friday, April 8. It will run through May 29, 2011 on the Keating Theatre stage. Tickets are $19 - $32 and may be purchased from the FST Box Office in person, by phone (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 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.

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