Sarasota News Events:
FST’S 2024 SUMMER CABARET SERIES
OPENS WITH RHINESTONE COWGIRLS
Florida Studio Theatre (FST) kicks off its Summer Cabaret Series with
Rhinestone Cowgirls, a journey through all things country music, celebrating its
evolution from humble beginnings to the giants of the music industry today. Three
powerhouse vocalists help you relive classics such as Patsy Cline’s “Crazy,” Tammy
Wynette’s “Stand by Your Man,” and Loretta Lynn’s “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” as well
as new favorites like Carrie Underwood’s “Last Name.” Rhinestone Cowgirls begins
playing May 21 in FST’s Goldstein Cabaret. Single tickets range from $18–$42. Tickets
are now on sale at FloridaStudioTheatre.org or at 941.366.9000.
Rhinestone Cowgirls is part of a three–show subscription package. Also included in the
The cabaret subscription package is The Music of Laurel Canyon, a celebration of one of
the most sacred musical places in the 60s and early 70s, and The Four C Notes, a trip
down memory lane with the Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons catalog. Subscriptions
for all three Summer Cabaret shows can be purchased for as little as $59 at
941.366.9000 or FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
Rhinestone Cowgirls was created by Nancy Allen, an artist with over 20 years of
experience in the theatre industry who also created Divas Three which was part of
FST’s 2023 Summer Season.
“Both country fans and non–country music fans will love this show,” said Allen. “One of
my favorite comments that we get after the show often is, ‘I didn’t know I was a fan of
country music until I saw your show!’ That is so rewarding to hear because I paid
special attention to creating a show where everyone could connect to the songs in
some way, whether a diehard country fan or not.”
Bringing these beloved songs to life onstage are three outstanding female vocalists:
Samantha Duval, Charity Farrell, and Gianna Maria. Duval was in FST’s production of
Little Shop of Horrors last winter season as well as being part of Divas Three in FST’s
2023 Summer Season. She also was part of the national tours of Cirque Musica and The
Celtic Ladies and has performed at regional theatres across the country. Farrell was a
semi–finalist in the FOX series I Can See Your Voice and has originated roles Off–
Broadway. Maria is an international Singer, Dancer, Songwriter, Actress, and Composer.
She has since been delivering powerful performances as a lead production singer
onboard Carnival Cruise Line for the past six years.
FST’s presentation of Rhinestone Cowgirls is sponsored in part by the State of Florida,
Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture and the Florida Council on Arts and
Culture, and the National Endowment for the Arts. The production is also supported by
The Shubert Foundation, Sarasota County Tourist Development Tax Revenues, and The
Exchange.
ABOUT FLORIDA STUDIO THEATRE
Florida Studio Theatre (FST) is Sarasota’s contemporary theatre. Founded in 1973, FST
has grown to a village of five theatres located in the heart of downtown Sarasota. Each
theatre is small in size and large in impact— providing intimate and engaging settings
for high–quality, professional performances.
Today, FST has established itself as a major force in American Theatre. FST is the largest
subscription theatre in the state of Florida and among the largest in the country, serving
more than 225,000 live attendees each year across its diverse programs: Mainstage,
Cabaret, Stage III, Children’s Theatre, Improv, The FST School, and New Play
Development.
Even with its growth, Florida Studio Theatre remains firmly committed to making the
arts accessible and affordable to as many people as possible. Under the leadership of
Producing Artistic Director Richard Hopkins, FST develops theatre that speaks to our
living, evolving, and dynamically changing world. Hip and historical, entertaining and
challenging, we are where everyone is welcome to engage in the art of theatre.
