Florida Studio Theatre Presents NEXT FALL, Show Opens 1/25

Florida Studio Theatre (FST) will present the Florida premiere of Geoffrey Nauffts' contemporary drama Next Fall in FST's Keating Theatre (1241 N. Palm Avenue) on Wednesday, January 25 at 8:00pm. Tickets are on sale through March 31st and can be purchased online at www.FloridaStudioTheatre.org, by phone at (941) 366-9000 or by visiting the Box Office.

The 2010 Outer Critics Circle award winner and three-time Tony Award nominated play, Next Fall portrays the ups and downs of an unlikely couple's five-year relationship with sharp humor and unflinching honesty. After an accident, they are forced to rely on family and friends for support-and answers. This beautiful portrait of contemporary romance examines faith, family and what it means to love while defining and accepting who we are.

Next Fall began performances Off-Broadway in May 2009 and then took a leap to Broadway in February 2010 after sold-out and extension runs. 

Next Fall was nominated for two 2010 Tony Awards: Best Play and Best Direction of a Play (Sheryl Kaller). Playwright Geoffrey Nauffts also won the John Gassner Award at the 2010 Outer Critics Circle Awards, and the play won the 2008 Theatre Visions Fund Award from the Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation.

The cast at FST is comprised of JASON O'CONNELL as Adam and actor KEVIN CRISTALDI as Luke, Katherine Michelle Tanner as Holly, Kenajuan Bentley as Brandon, Phillip Clark as Butch and Judith Hawking as Arlene.

JASON O' CONNELL (Adam) is thrilled to be returning to FST, having previously appeared in Ten Unknowns, The Goat, and A Marriage Minuet. Off-Broadway credits include Penny Penniworth (Emerging Artists), Ladies of the Corridor (Pecadillo Theater), and Phoenix Theatre Ensemble's productions of Art and Tom Stoppard's Hapgood. Regional credits include All My Sons (Arkansas Rep), Boeing Boeing (ACCC), and Complete Works of Shakespeare - Abridged (Great Lakes Theater Festival, Delaware Theatre Co). He has played Hamlet (Texas Shakespeare), Richard III (Nebraska Shakespeare), Falstaff (American Players) and Benedick (Hudson Valley Shakespeare). TV credits include Law & Order: CI and SVU. Jason is also a writer and comedian whose first full-length solo piece, The Dork Knight, will be produced by Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival this summer.

KEVIN CRISTALDI (Luke) is pleased to return to FST, where he appeared in The Triumph of Love and A Texas Romance. Theatrical credits include The Miser (Hartford Stage), The Last Station (Vermont Stage), Hamlet (Arden Theatre), Skin of Our Teeth (StageWest), Message to Michael (Rattlestick, NYC), Dirty Talk (Center Stage, NYC), Eddie Legs (The Lillian Theatre, L.A.), and Cringe (Evidence Room, L.A.). TV: Criminal Minds, Gilmore Girls, Numbers, Medium, The Unit, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Katherine Michelle Tanner (Holly) returns to FST where she played Myrrha - Metamorphoses and Alice- Sundew. Other favorite regional roles: Ivy- August: Osage County, Holly- Kiss the Moon, Kiss the Sun, Catharine- Suddenly Last Summer, Ophelia- Hamlet, Catherine- Proof, Margaret- Charm, Laura- The Glass Menagerie, Jane- Jane Eyre, Film/TV: A Chance to Live, The File, The Darndest Things, Respire Mon Amie, the PBS Series Diamonds Along the Highway. Katherine is a member of American Stage Theatre Company and graduated from the FSU/Asolo Theatre Conservatory.

Kenajuan Bentley (Brandon) is happy to be returning to Florida Studio Theatre. Last seen as Jackson in the Miamians. Two seasons at the Oregon Shakesphere Festival in the following roles/shows: Lucio (Measure for Measure), Commander Osembenga (Ruined), Orsino (Twelfth Night). New York: Gaveston (Edward the Second)-Red Bull Theater. Launcelot Gobbo (The Merchant of Venice)- Theatre for a New Audience. Oscar (Well)- The Public Theater. Laertes (Hamlet) - The Shakespeare Theatre DC. Film/TV: Law and Order, Union.

Phillip Clark (Butch) Broadway: Come Back, Little Sheba; Fifth of July; We Have Always Lived in the Castle. Off-Broadway: Omnium Gatherum; A Last Dance for Sybil; The Director; Romeo & Juliet (Lortel); The Boys in the Band. Regional Theatres: Actors Theatre of Louisville (Humana Festival); Old Globe; Mark Taper Forum; Huntington; Cleveland Play House; Portland Center Stage; Studio Arena; Caldwell; Cape Fear; New Harmony.

Judith Hawking (Arlene) is thrilled to be working on this fabulous piece. Originally from Canada, Judith is now a proud Canadian/American dual citizen. New York credits include Broadway: Lincoln Center: Ivanov and Voices in the Dark, as well as Off-Broadway: Second Stage, The Mint (Drama Desk Best Supporting Actress Nomination), Public Theater (Joe's Pub and NYSF), Playwrights Horizon, Hudson Guild (It Award Nom. Best Actress), Directors Company, Beckett Theater, Signature Theater, MCC, Soho Rep, and various projects for The Fire Dept. Regionally, work has taken her to the Cincinnati Playhouse ( Best Actress), The Old Globe, A.R.T, Arena Stage (Helen Hayes Nom for Best Actress), McCarter Theatre, Long Wharf, Cleveland Playhouse, Barrington Stage, the Wilma et al. Internationally she has worked in Canada, (The Grand, Citadel, Veritgo, Centre Stage) and in Scotland where she and her cast won the coveted Best Ensemble award for the Edinburgh Fringe. Film and television have been the majority of her work the last three years appearing in 5 independent movies, a Miniseries, Law & Order (as a recurring judge), Law & Order: SVU, Law & Order: CI, Lights Out, and recurring spots on All My Children, and As the World Turns. She just finished shooting the pilot for the new USA series EDEN. This summer was spent working on three amazing new plays and training her two dogs, to become Therapy Dogs for the incredible Good Dog Foundation. judithhawking.com

KATE ALEXANDER (Director) is the Associate Director of FST. Ms. Alexander has directed numerous productions and premieres on the FST stages including The Savannah Disputation, Ghost-Writer, 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.

Geoffrey Nauffts (Playwright) has worked as an actor both on and off-Broadway, regionally and extensively in film and television. He's directed short plays by Kenneth Lonergan, Frank Pugliese, David Marshall Grant, Theresa Rebeck and Suzan-Lori Parks, as well as the critically acclaimed production of Steven Belber's Tape in New York, Los Angeles and London. He wrote, directed and co-starred in the award-winning short film Baby Steps with Kathy Bates and co-wrote Jenifer, a movie of the week for CBS with David Marshall Grant. His hit play Next Fall first played off-Broadway in 2009 before transferring to Broadway in 2010. Geoffrey is the current artistic director of Naked Angels in New York City where he's been a proud member for over twenty-three years.

Next Fall opens in the Keating Theatre January 25, 2012 - March 31, 2012. Single tickets are $32 - $34. Single tickets may be purchased from the FST Box Office in person or by calling (941) 366-9000 or now online at www.floridstudiotheatre.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.

Production Schedule Appears Below

Cast and director available for interviews as schedules permit.

Next Fall

Performance Schedule

January 25, 2012 - March 31, 2012

Keating Theatre

Tickets: $32-$34