FST Announces Additional Extension of GUITAR GIRLS

Due to audience demand, Florida Studio Theatre (FST) announces the second extension of Guitar Girls, which honors some of the greatest female singer-songwriters from the past century, is now playing through April 14. With energetic performances and featuring songs from music legends like Janis Joplin and June Carter-Cash, audiences have called the production "Exceptional," "Fabulous," and "The best show I've ever seen here [at FST] or anywhere." Tickets can be purchased online at floridastudiotheatre.org, or by phone at (941) 366-9000.

Written by Richard Hopkins, Rebecca Hopkins, and Catherine Randazzo with arrangements by Jim Prosser, Guitar Girls celebrates the music and lives of America's top female gospel, rock, folk, and country musicians. Audiences can't get enough of the cast's rousing interpretations of such greats hits as "Jolene," "Me and Bobby McGee," "I Will Always Love You," and "You've Got a Friend."

"Audiences are reminded of songs that paint pictures and tell stories," shared Catherine Randazzo, FST Associate Artist and Director of the Guitar Girls. "When these women were writing, music was an outlet, a way to express yourself that was unlike any other. From Loretta Lynn to Janis Joplin, there's a range of songs and artists in Guitar Girls, each one uniquely different, yet they all wrote about universal experiences, like love, heartbreak, and the cycle of life. The female musicians featured in the show expressed themselves the only way they knew how-through song."

Critics have also been excited by this FST original musical revue. Sarasota Herald-Tribune praises the show's "Wonderful raw naturalness" that "Stir(s) lots of emotions and memories." According to The Observer, the "Powerhouse ensemble" delivers "Magical" and "Soulful" performances of the songs written by America's most beloved female singer-songwriters. Broadway World finds Guitar Girls "A lovely walk down memory lane for everyone" with "Impeccable solos."

One reason that Guitar Girls has resonated with so many is the music's emotional power and dynamism. The female artists featured in this FST original music revue use their music to discuss the challenges that permeate everyday life-infidelity, poverty, and abuse-in an authentic, straightforward way. "I love this music because it's raw and rough around the edges," shared Anna Stefanic, one of the cast members of Guitar Girls. "It's not about polished musicianship, it's about emotional authenticity. When you listen to artists like Joni Mitchell or Janis Joplin, you can hear their grit and pain and passion in their voices and in their writing."

In addition to Stefanic, Guitar Girls features Joe Casey, Cat Greenfield, Tamra Hayden, Jannie Jones, and Anna Stefanic. The show is directed by award-winning artist Catherine Randazzo.

Guitar Girls continues in FST's Goldstein Cabaret through April 14. Single tickets may be purchased online at floridastudiotheatre.org, or by phone at (941) 366-9000.