The Man Behind the Myth: Who was the REAL Kunstler?

By Madison McAllister “Radical Attorney.” “Great American Hero.” “The most hated lawyer in America.” William Kunstler was a notorious defense attorney with many names and a larger-than-life personality that made him a force to be reckoned with both inside and outside the courtroom. Kunstler was born in New York in 1919, the oldest of three children in a middle-class Jewish family from Manhattan’s Upper West … Continue reading The Man Behind the Myth: Who was the REAL Kunstler?

floridastudiotheatreFebruary 17, 2020February 17, 2020

Kunstler, Uncategorized

In Defense of Defense

by Benedict Burgess His aggressive, radical approach to law made him an icon – both loved and loathed in equal measure. This Stage III season in FST’s Kunstler, famous lawyer William Moses Kunstler stands trial, himself, for a forty-plus year legal career spent defending some of the twentieth century’s most contentious court cases. “I have long been fascinated by public figures who undermine the reputations … Continue reading In Defense of Defense

floridastudiotheatreFebruary 17, 2020February 17, 2020

American Son

Taking Charge

American Son is a gripping new drama that centers on Kendra Ellis-Connor, a distressed mother whose teenage son, Jamal, hasn’t come home. Kendra is unable to get any information about her son from the rookie, Officer Paul Larkin. But when things begin to spiral out of control, Lieutenant Stokes arrives to set the record straight. Lawrence Evans plays Lieutenant Stokes, a disciplined officer who tries to see situations … Continue reading Taking Charge

floridastudiotheatreFebruary 14, 2020February 17, 2020

Handle with Care

Full of Wisdom

In Handle With Care, Edna brings her granddaughter, Ayelet, on a trip to the United States with her. Ayelet is heartbroken over the end of a relationship and Edna is eager to shake Ayelet out of her depressive stupor. Marina Re plays Edna in Handle With Care, a character who, according to The Observer, “Sweetly evokes the never-say-die vivacity of a young woman’s soul in an … Continue reading Full of Wisdom

floridastudiotheatreFebruary 12, 2020February 13, 2020

American Son

In the Middle of a Nightmare

American Son is a gripping new drama that centers on Kendra Ellis-Connor, a distressed mother whose teenage son, Jamal, hasn’t come home. As she stays in the waiting room of a Miami-Dade police station, she is unable to get any information about her son from the rookie, Officer Paul Larkin. When her estranged husband, Scott Connor, arrives, things spiral out of control. Almeria Campbell plays Kendra, a … Continue reading In the Middle of a Nightmare

floridastudiotheatreFebruary 11, 2020February 13, 2020

American Son

Man of the Law

FST’s third Mainstage of the season, American Son, centers on Kendra Ellis-Connor, a distraught mother whose son, Jamal, is missing. Kendra doesn’t have any luck getting any information about Jamal from Officer Paul Larkin, a rookie who seems to be straight out of the academy. Daniel Petzold plays Larkin, a dedicated police officer who lacks both life and on-the-job experience. We sat down with Petzold to discuss … Continue reading Man of the Law

floridastudiotheatreFebruary 3, 2020February 4, 2020

Outlaws and Angels

An Outlaw and a Gentleman

In Outlaws and Angels, J Vance serenades audiences with his charming renditions of “Hey Good Lookin’” and “My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys.” But did you know that J got his start at FST as an Acting Apprentice, where he starred in Robin Hood and Deck the Halls: ‘Tis the Season? We sat down with J to talk about his artistic inspirations, his family’s “green thumb,” and … Continue reading An Outlaw and a Gentleman

floridastudiotheatreFebruary 3, 2020February 10, 2020

Improv

Sarasota Songbird

FST Improv is now in its 19th year and has more than 20 members! To help you get to know the improvisers better, we’re going to be sitting down with cast members and picking their brains about improv, taking risks, and their lives offstage. Next up is Sarasota star Kathryn Parks. FST Improv performs every Saturday and select Fridays in FST’s Bowne’s Lab Theatre. To see … Continue reading Sarasota Songbird

floridastudiotheatreJanuary 30, 2020January 31, 2020

American Son

The Proud Father

FST’s third Mainstage production of the season, American Son, opens on Kendra Ellis-Connor, a distraught mother whose teenage son hasn’t come home, in the waiting room of a Miami-Dade police station. Kendra hasn’t had any luck getting information about her son’s whereabouts from the rookie, Officer Paul Larkin, who is working the early morning shift at the station. When her estranged husband, Scott Connor, arrives, Officer … Continue reading The Proud Father

floridastudiotheatreJanuary 30, 2020February 3, 2020

Handle with Care

The Goofball

In FST’s production of Handle With Care, Terrence – a well-meaning, but somewhat unskilled delivery man – calls his childhood best friend, Josh, to get him out of a pinch (again). It turns out that Terrence has lost a crucial package belonging to Ayelet, an Israeli woman with limited knowledge of English. Terrence works to track the package down, while Josh figures out how to communicate with … Continue reading The Goofball

floridastudiotheatreJanuary 27, 2020January 27, 2020