Shirley Valentine Gets Extended Through 7/30 At Florida Studio Theatre

Florida Studio Theatre extends Willy Russell's Shirley Valentine into a fifth week at the Gompertz Theatre. Through July 30, 2009, Shirley Valentine was called "a joyful, captivating piece of theatre" by the New York Daily News. Additional dates and times are; Sunday, July 26 at 3 PM & 7 PM, Tuesday, July 28 at 8 PM, Wednesday, July 29 at 8 PM and Thursday, July 30 at 8 PM.

Shirley Valentine is "a show that is full of humor and heart; a piece that is transformational. It is also timeless. Everyone, male and female, has a little ‘Shirley' in them. Everyone has looked out a window and dreamed of leaving their little world for a larger world-view. And Shirley Valentine with all of her charmed flaws, foibles and follies takes the risk of the grand adventure, changing her life and, all the while, gently encouraging us to do the same, to live and laugh fully," according to Director Kate Alexander.

An ordinary housewife sets out on an extraordinary adventure. When her best friend wins an all-expenses-paid vacation to Greece, Shirley Valentine leaves behind the confines of her kitchen, and marriage, for a spontaneous trip of self-discovery.

Broadway Actress Susan Greenhill returns to FST, where she recently played Haddie in Y York's ...and L.A. is Burning. She will play the role of Shirley Valentine. Greenhill has also appeared at FST in Southern Comforts, Dinner With Friends, Fiction. Broadway: Crimes of the Heart. Off-Broadway: Primary Stages, Actors Studio Theatre, Playwrights Horizons, Ensemble Studio Theatre, Urban Stages. Regional: The Clean House, Cincinnati Playhouse (Acclaim Award); Sideman, Philadelphia Company (Barrymore Award); We Won't Pay! We Won't Pay!, Long Wharf Theatre; The Glass Menagerie, St. Louis Rep; The Importance of Being Earnest, Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey; Born Yesterday, Indiana Rep; Expectations, Stamford Center (with Eartha Kitt). Television & film: Chapelle Show, Law & Order, Clarissa Explains It All, Loving, Guiding Light, Pecker (directed by John Waters), High Stakes, Noon Blue Apples (Sundance Festival).

Shirley Valentine is directed by Florida Studio Theatre's Associate Director Kate Alexander. In this capacity, she ministers to the artistic needs of the theatre and its many community and state educational programs. On the FST stages some of the plays she has directed are ...and L.A. is Burning, Pure Confidence, Underneath the Lintel, The Miamians. Wit, Proof, Lobby Hero, Ten Unknowns, The Exonerated, Brooklyn Boy as well as the company developed pieces, the Playmakers and Under Six. Ms. Alexander has created a vast Education and Touring Program for FST including the award-winning Write A Play program touching the lives of over 55,000 children annually in the US, Scotland, Israel, China and Russia and serving as a model for theatres throughout the nation. Ms. Alexander has also pioneered an acting training method for children which serves as the foundation for the FST School, serving 600 children yearly. 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: Golda's Balcony, Master Class, The Play about The Baby, The Goat, Filumena, Three Tall Women and most recently, Edward Albee's Occupant. Ms. Alexander is the recipient of numerous acting, directing and public service awards. Most recently, Ms. Alexander's Write a Play program was a feature of the PBS special Kids in the Arts and she co-authored the book Ideas for the Animated Short: Finding and Building Stories.

The production design team includes FST staff member Marcella Beckwith (Costume Design) along with Lighting Designer David Upton and Set Designer Lauren Feldman.
A one-woman delight, Shirley Valentine runs through July 30, 2009 at the Gompertz Theatre. 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.

Florida Studio Theatre is grateful to Dennis and Graci McGillicuddy for underwriting the 2008 - 2009 Summerfest Season and to the Florida Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts, Sarasota County Tourist Development Tax revenues and Sarasota Arts Council.