MURDER FOR TWO Brings Killer Laughs to Sarasota

Florida Studio Theatre (FST) opens its second show of the Summer Mainstage Season, Murder for Two, a musical whodunit that flawlessly blends classic musical comedy and madcap mystery. This musical homage to classic murder mysteries was an Off-Broadway hit, and won the Joseph Jefferson Award for Best New Musical Work in 2011. Murder for Two begins June 27 and is part of a 3-show Summer Mainstage subscription package, which can be purchased for as little as $49. This package also includes Always...Patsy Cline, Ted Swindley's musical homage to the legendary country music icon, as well as Other People's Money by Jerry Sterner, another Off-Broadway hit exploring ethics and business. Subscriptions as well as single tickets are available by calling the FST box office at (941) 366-9000 or at www.floridastudiotheatre.org.

Murder for Two follows Officer Marcus Moscowicz, a small town policeman who dreams of becoming a detective. When shots ring out at the surprise birthday party of great American novelist Arthur Whitney, and Whitney ends up dead, Marcus sees an opportunity to prove his sleuthing skills. With only a short time to solve the case, he has to find out, "whodunit?" The cast features just two actors: Paul Helm, playing Marcus Mosowicz, and Kyle Branzel, who has the artistic challenge of playing all ten of the suspects. "It's what I'm always looking for: essential theatre. It doesn't rely on big sets. It's about the actors' talent," said FST's Producing Artistic Director, Richard Hopkins.

Directing this lively musical is Bruce Jordan, who was last seen at FST directing the 2013 Winter Mainstage production of Spamalot. Besides adapting Shear Madness (2009, 2010) alongside Marilyn Abrams, Jordan has directed the comedy over 30 times. Other FST directing credits include Perfect Wedding (Summer 2012) and The Underpants (Summer 2013). "In directing any comedy the biggest challenge to me is to convince the actors to play it 'for real.' Don't TRY to be funny," explained Jordan. "The authors have set up the jokes and the story, the actors just need to play it as if it's life and death and not for laughs. If you play for the laughs, they never happen. If you play "for real", they'll always be there."

Both Branzel and Helm have performed in previous productions of Murder for Two. Branzel was on the first national tour of the show. His credits also include Henry & Mudge (National Tour), Buyer & Cellar (Weston Playhouse), and The History Boys (Palm Beach Dramaworks). Branzel shared, "This will be my third iteration of Murder for Two and the show is always a joy to re-investigate (pun intended!) I feel like there's always more to discover because of the complexity of the story and all of the characters I play. Plus I love collaborating with different actors, directors, and designers on the piece -melding all of our interpretations of the material and creating something unique together."

Helm returns to FST after three years-he was the Music Director for FST's Winter Cabaret Never Marry a Girl with Cold Feet, a music revue celebrating vaudeville and its most prolific composers. Helm also played Marcus in Utah Shakespeare Festival's production of Murder for Two in 2016, and has performed, directed, and music-directed productions at theatres across the country, including Milwaukee Repertory Theater and Auburn Public Theater.

"I can't tell you enough how honored and excited I am to return to FST! I fell in love with the Sarasota community when I worked on Never Marry A Girl with Cold Feet three years ago," shared Helm. "To be around for the entire run of a show only means I will have even more time to explore all that Sarasota has to offer, which is thrilling! I also remember how much you feel like you're part of the family when you work at FST, and I'm certainly elated to dive into this extravagant piece of theater."

Playing from June 27 through July 29 in FST's Keating Theatre, Murder for Two is a two-man tour-de-force loaded with killer laughs. Murder for Two is part of a 3-show Summer Mainstage subscription, which can be purchased for as little as $49. Subscriptions as well as single tickets are available at 941.366.9000 and floridastudiotheatre.org.

Known as Sarasota's Contemporary Theatre, Florida Studio Theatre was founded in 1973 by Artist, 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 five theatre venues: the Keating Theatre, the Goldstein Cabaret, the renovated Gompertz Theatre, the John C. Court Cabaret and Bowne's Lab Theatre.

Even with its growth, Florida Studio Theatre remains firmly committed to making the arts accessible and affordable to a broad-based audience. Under Producing Artistic Director and CEO, Richard Hopkins, 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.