FST's Winter Cabaret Season to Continue with AMERICAN PIE Next Month

FST announces its second show of the Winter Cabaret season, American Pie. Developed by Richard Hopkins and Rebecca Hopkins, the show opens in Florida Studio Theatre's Goldstein Cabaret on Friday, January 2, 2015. Subscriptions for all three shows can be purchased for as little as $39. Subscriptions may be purchased online at FloridaStudioTheatre.org, by phone at (941) 366-9000, or by visiting the Box Office.

In 1964 the Beatles came to America and the British Invasion began. In response a second American Revolution occurred. Artists such as Simon and Garfunkel, The Lovin' Spoonfuls, and Pete Seeger paved the way for Neil Diamond, Billy Joel, and more. Featuring songs such as "Teach Your Children," "Sweet Caroline," and "Blue Bayou."

Connecting audiences to the songs of American musicians like Billy Joel and Carole King, FST once again creates a revue set in the cozy and intimate Goldstein Cabaret. It's all performed live as these multi-talented actors play their own instruments on stage. After the success of last season's hit show, Poems, Prayers, and Promises, FST once again provides audiences with a unique experience to enjoy these memorable melodies in their pure, raw form. Directing this talented quartet is returning FST director, Russell Treyz. Treyz also directed Poems, Prayers, and Promises and now returns to the Goldstein to help Sarasota audiences usher in 2015 with some groovy guitar theatre. "It's a joy to be able to revisit one of my favorite periods of American music. The vibrancy of the melodies and impact of the lyrics transport us to a place of fun and vitality laced with thought-provoking stories and questions. What fun it is to immerse ourselves in the element that evokes and recaptures the moments many of us have lived and experience them anew."

Two performers who capture that fun and vitality of this music are Sarah Hund and Ben Mackel. American Pie marks the third FST show in which these two have shared the FST stage. Last season's hit show Poems, Prayers, and Promises gave Sarasota audiences a taste of the undeniable charisma and love for performing that these two share. Even after their show ended, their harmony-driven string band, The Blue Eyed Bettys, continued to take the Sarasota music scene by storm, playing at all the local hotspots around town.

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Mackel speaks to the anticipation of returning to play once again in such an arts-supportive town. "I'm pumped to come back to FST for American Pie. Poems, Prayers, and Promises was such a wonderful success, I can't wait to dive into another show. I know it's going to be a blast. Since Sarah and I will both be returning, The Blue Eyed Bettys will definitely be putting on some shows for our original fan base. We can't wait."

Also joining Hund and Mackel for a second time is returning company member, Joe Casey. Casey captured the hearts of FST audiences with his soulful serenades. Newcomer, Joey Barreiro comes to FST from New York with previous productions including Into the Woods, Rent, and Urinetown. Rounding out this talented group is returning FST company member, Tony Bruno. Bruno has provided the percussion for several FST shows including Hairspray, Shake, Rattle, & Roll, Smokey Joe's Café, and The World Goes 'Round.

Hund shares her final thoughts on this production stating, "I am very excited to return to FST for American Pie. The show features some truly incredible songwriters. Carole King, Billy Joel, and Simon & Garfunkel are some of my favorite artists. I'm so glad to get the chance to perform their music on the FST stage. I love Sarasota. It has such a vibrant arts community, and is a very pleasant place to live and work."

American Pie opens in the Goldstein Cabaret on Friday, January 2, 2015. Subscriptions for all three shows can be purchased for as little as $39. Subscriptions may be purchased online at FloridaStudioTheatre.org, by phone at (941) 366-9000 or by visiting the Box Office.