BEEHIVE: THE 60S MUSICAL Extends Thru 7/11 at the Keating Theatre

The retrospective music celebration of the 60s, Beehive, The 60s Musical (created by Larry Gallagher) will extend again at the Keating Theatre and will now play through July 11, 2010. Music from Petula Clark to Connie Francis and Tina Turner to Janis Joplin, Beehive, The 60s Musical is a hit with Sarasota audiences.

Beehive, The 60s Musical opened to audiences raving on June 2, 2010. "That was fantastic," "They were incredible," and "I'm coming again!" are a few of the exiting comments. The critics have agreed: "Delightful," reviewed the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. This "trip down memory lane" (Sarasota Herald-Tribune) features over 35 exhilarating hit songs of the 60s that defined an era in music when women catapulted to the top of the Billboard charts. Relive some of the decade's most spirited and best known songs, including "My Boyfriend's Back," "Downtown," "Respect," "Proud Mary" and more.

Additional performances include: Tuesday, July 6 at 8:00 PM; Thursday, July 8 at 8:00 PM; Friday, July 9 at 8:00 PM and Sunday, July 11 at 3:00 PM. 

Originally produced at Sweetwater's Cabaret, New York City, in 1985 Beehive, The 60s Musical received its World Premiere at the Village Gate Theatre, Top of the Gate, from March 1986 to August 1987. It has since become a favorite among regional theatre's to produce, including the West Coast Premiere at San Jose Repertory in San Jose, California, The Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., The Carousel Dinner Theatre in Akron, Ohio and a successful National Tour.

The cast includes a talented ensemble including New York Actress Allison Couture returns to FST after appearing in last year's Cabaret hit Hula Hoop Sha-Boop. Other regional credits include Gloria in Thoroughly Modern Millie, Patty Simcox in Grease and Graziella, Somewhere Soloist in West Side Story. Broadway Actress Lori Eure performed in the Broadway production of Cabaret at Studio 54 and the National Tour production. Eure's regional credits includes a previous production of Beehive, We Will Rock You in Las Vegas and Vi Petty in The Buddy Holly Story. New York Actress Lauren Lebowitz's National Tours include Godspell (also can be heard on the cast recording) and Footloose. Lebowitz has numerous regional credits including Grace Farrell in Annie and Jeanie in Hair.

The cast is rounded out with New York Actress Laiona Michelle returns to FST having previously appeared in My One and Only Gershwin in the Goldstein Cabaret. Her Off-Broadway credits include Soot in Lo She Comes and Gladys Knight in The Black Nativity. Broadway Actress Michelle Pruiett appeared in The Little Mermaid (Lunt-Fontanne Theatre). Her National Tours include Carmen in Sweet Charity, Wife in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Silly Girl #1 in Beauty and the Beast. New York Actress Sadrina Renee's New York and National Tour Credits include Lucy in You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown, Michelle Obama in Life After Bush, Harriet Tubman in Freedom Train and Coretta Scott King in I Have A Dream.

The LIVE band on stage will include Music Director, John Franceschina on Synthesizer, Jim Prosser on Piano and Tony Bruno on drums. Director Fred Weiss will return to FST, after most recently directing A Marvelous Party: The Noël Coward Celebration and Showtune. He will be joined by Choreographer, JoEllen Kuhlman.

The production design team includes Lauren Feldman as Scenic Designer, April Soroko as Costume Designer, Michael Foster as Lighting Designer, John Valines as Sound Designer and Michelle Pruiett will act as Dance Captain for the production.

The vivacious Beehive, The 60s Musical continues through June 27, 2010 at the Keating Mainstage. 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 and Jules and Sheila Rose for underwriting the 2010 Summerfest Season and to the Sarasota Arts Council, Tourist Development Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.

 

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