(Sarasota, FL) — The lunacy continues at Florida Studio Theatre this summer. Due to audience demand, FST’s World Premiere of Inspired Lunacy by Richard Hopkins, Rebecca Hopkins, and Jim Prosser will continue in the Gompertz Theatre through June 28. Subscriptions for all three Summer Mainstage shows can be purchased for as little as $39 by phone at (941) 366-9000 or by visiting the Box Office.
Complete with a maladjusted jester, mouse ears, and of course a few dancing nuns, the critics are raving about this production. The Sarasota Herald-Tribune calls this production, “Extremely energetic” and says it is “Designed to raise spirits and get you laughing.”
The Observer also weighs in saying it is a, “Big show full of big laughs” with “Great performers.” Totaltheater.com describes the show as having “Extraordinary verve.” Audiences agree saying, “Such talent,” “So much energy,” and “Very good.”
This original production, created in-house by resident artists, Inspired Lunacy is a collection of the best novelty songs from the best comedy writers and composers of the 20th century. Watch our comic explorers as they set out on a daring mission to amuse, and delight. Relying on the waggish wisdom of composers such as Allan Sherman, Shel Silverstein, and Kander and Ebb with songs like “Ring Them Bells,” “Poisoning Pigeons in the Park,” and “Jolly Old Sigmund Freud,” our wayward jesters attempt to solve the mystery at the center of the universe.
Keeping the pace during this colorful production is no walk in the park, give or take a few poisoned pigeons. Cast member Dennis Kenney reflects on the physical demands of this
non-stop show stating “I can speak for the entire cast in saying we were unaware as to how much choreography would be involved in the show. Every number is intricately set, and could only be mastered through intense repetition. We as performers had to condition ourselves for the rigorous demands of singing, dancing, and acting at the same time.
A week prior to opening we worked our way up to performing double runs of the show a day. This process helped us adjust to the rigorous demands of the show.”
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recurring theme in the show is the importance of laughter in life. When asked why humor is so important in the human experience, Artistic Director and co-writer Richard Hopkins stated, ”Humor is innately connected to our very existence. It’s a common denominator. It brings people together and tends to lower defenses.”
Managing Director and co-writer Rebecca Hopkins adds, “Laughter is an emotion. It is an emotional response much like crying, or gasping. It gets you out of your head and opens you up.”
So take a gander over to the Gompertz and find out who really did put the bomp in the bomp, bomp, bomp. Join us this summer and ring them bells for Inspired Lunacy, now playing through June 28. Subscriptions for all three Mainstage shows can be purchased for as little as $39 by phone at (941) 366-9000 or by visiting the Box Office.
About Florida Studio Theatre
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 then acquired the former Woman’s Club building, becoming the first permanent venue. Shortly after Richard Hopkins arrived, the building was purchased and 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 Gompertz Theatre, the Parisian style Goldstein Cabaret and 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. 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.
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