(Sarasota, FL) — The Regional Premiere of Dancing Lessons by Mark St. Germain is FST’s second Mainstage show of the season. Opening in FST’s Keating Theatre on December 12, the show runs through February 27. Single tickets range from $18-39. Tickets may be purchased online at FloridaStudioTheatre.org, by phone at (941) 366-9000, or by visiting the Box Office.
This emotionally gripping play tells the tale of two lonely souls as they embark on a relationship filled with surprising discoveries. A young man seeks the instruction of a Broadway dancer, now sidelined with injuries. As their relationship unfolds, they’re caught off-guard by the unexpected, hilarious and heartwarming revelations, that they make about each other.
This is Mark St. Germain’s fourth show on an FST stage. Audiences may remember his previous hit shows The Best of Enemies, Freud’s Last Session, and Becoming Dr. Ruth.
When asked about the inspiration behind Dancing Lessons, Germain stated, “I came to write the play after a meeting on the street with a young man on the autism spectrum who I had known as a child. At that age, he didn’t communicate verbally or even with eye contact. His parents realized that he would be helped most at that early age. The ‘boy’ I met was now a high school aged young man who was not only very cordial, not only shook hands, but left all of the earlier impressions I had of him behind. He told me that he remembered my birthday and recalled conversations other people had at the table we would have lunch at while he was silent. I was awed and intrigued. While researching autism, the characters of Dancing Lessons came to me. I’ve learned a lot since, especially from autistics.”
Making his FST stage debut is FST’s Associate Artist, Jason Cannon. Cannon commented on his artistic journey of discovering the character of Ever stating, “I had the great pleasure of playing this role in our New Play Festival in the Richard & Betty Burdick Play Reading Series last spring. It was one of those magical fits-like-a-glove moments. Not every character unlocks himself right away to an actor, but for some reason Ever just welcomed me with open arms. It’s an actor’s dream role: funny, accidentally charming, yet with surprising depth, and a deep inner emotional life that is both tumultuous and generous.”
Playing the role of ex-Broadway dancer, Senga, is Vanessa Morosco. Making her FST debut, Morosco’s previous credits include Around the World in 80 Days (The New Theater at
45th Street), Lend Me a Tenor (Fulton Theatre), and The Rover (New York Classical Theatre.) With an extensive Shakespeare and classical theatre background, Morosco now adds Dancing Lessons to her repertoire of regional theatre.
This raw glimpse into humanity is led by a familiar directorial voice, FST’s Associate Director, Kate Alexander. Alexander previously directed Germain’s hit shows, Freud’s Last Session and Becoming Dr. Ruth.
Dancing Lessons saw its World Premiere at Barrington Stage Company starring John Cariani and Paige Davis this past August. Awaiting its Regional Premiere at Florida Studio Theatre, the critics have weighed in on this stirring production. Arts Fuse describes it as “Provocative, fresh, and unexpectedly moving.” Bershire Onstage calls it, “Inspirational” and “Charming,” while the Boston Globe said, “You don’t want it to end.”
Single tickets range from $18 to $39. FST also offers a subscription package that includes Dancing Lessons, along with three more shows: Hairspray, Fly, and Chapatti for as little as $49. Subscribers receive benefits such as the best seats for productions, a savings of over 50% on single tickets and the use of our liberal exchange policy. Single tickets and subscriptions may be purchased online at FloridaStudioTheatre.org, by phone at
(941) 366-9000, or by visiting the Box Office.
This is a show that explores the immeasurable depths of human connection. Germain shares his final thoughts on the subject of this play. “Like everyone else in the world, every person is an individual, and putting anyone in a category is not only misleading but unfair.”
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 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 Gompertz Theatre, the Goldstein Cabaret, 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 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.
Dancing Lessons
Performance Schedule
December 10, 2014 – February 27, 2015
Keating Theatre
Tickets: $18 – $39
2014 Summer Season
Summer Mainstage:
Pump Boys & Dinettes – June 4
Becoming Dr. Ruth – June 25
Taking Shakespeare – July 23
Summer Cabaret:
At The Hop – June 10
Clearly Invisible – July 8
Somewhere Over The Rose – August 5
Improv:
FST Improv – June 7
Special Events:
Sarasota Improv Festival – July 11 & 12
