When Johnny Cash boarded the train that would take him beyond this life, he must have had a great deal of luggage. His unique gift earned him 11 Grammy Awards, the National Medal of the Arts, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and led to his membership in the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and the Songwriters Hall of … Continue reading A Note from “Ring of Fire” Director, Ben Hope
Good fences make good neighbors, right? But what about clotheslines? Audrey Cefaly’s charming comedy, Maytag Virgin, centers on two neighbors in a small Alabama town who are both dealing with the everyday struggles of loss, love, and life. At first glance, the two neighbors couldn’t be more different—the backyard of one house is cluttered, filled with moving boxes and furniture, while the other is adorned … Continue reading All’s Fair in Love and Laundry
This summer, FST is proud to bring audiences Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash, a raw and rousing musical biography celebrating the life and songbook of Johnny Cash. Called “A show that should not and cannot be missed” by Showbiz Chicago, Ring of Fire features over two dozen of Johnny Cash’s biggest hits, from “I Walk the Line” and “Folsom Prison Blues” to … Continue reading “The Man in Black” Comes to FST
This summer, fall in love with Johnny Cash and his music all over again with FST’s Summer Mainstage production of Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash. In this powerful musical, the story of Johnny Cash’s life—including his successes, challenges, triumphs, and missteps—is told through his music. Featuring such classics as “Folsom Prison Blues” and “I Walk the Line,” Ring of Fire brings audiences … Continue reading A Boy Named Cash
BillyD Hart didn’t just choreograph all of the musical numbers for FST’s The Legend of Georgia McBride. BillyD, (who uses they/them pronouns) is also the understudy for all three drag roles, operates the spotlight for each show, and maintains all 26 wigs (yes, you read that number right) for the production. Oh, and did we mention they can also do a backflip…in heels? The Legend … Continue reading Artist Spotlight: Meet the Choreographer behind “The Legend of Georgia McBride”
He’s low on cash, his wife Jo is expecting a baby, and he just found out he’s been fired from his gig as an Elvis impersonator. Meet Casey, a down-on-his-luck performer who is about to discover that he has got a lot to learn about show business—and himself. Desperate to drum up more business, Casey’s boss at Cleo’s Dive Bar gives “The King” the boot, … Continue reading Glitter, Glamour, and A Little Bit of Heart
John Long is no stranger to comedy. He’s played King Louis the 13th in The Three Musketeers; Craig, the miserly theater operations manager, in Laughing Stock; and Francis Henshall, a man who finds himself juggling two jobs at the same time, in One Man, Two Guvnors. Now he makes his FST debut in The Play That Goes Wrong, a Tony and Olivier Award-winning comedy that’s … Continue reading The Power of Comedy With John Long in “The Play That Goes Wrong”
Life for Casey, the Elvis impersonator, is about to get “All Shook Up.” His rent check bounced (again). He just found out his wife is pregnant with their first child. And to top it all off, he’s just been let go from his not-so-lucrative Elvis gig down at Cleo’s dive bar. Thank you. Thank you very much. And while Cleo’s no longer has a job … Continue reading When life Give You Lemons, Tuck’ Em
Inspired by the real-life convention of the same name, FST’s World Premiere production of America in One Room by Jason Odell Williams explores what could happen if you put a diverse group of people from across the country in the same room and ask them to open up about some of their most firmly held beliefs. As the conversation moves from the hotel’s continental breakfast to more serious issues, … Continue reading Meet Lisa, The Referee of “America in One Room”
by Lydia Baxter and Jena Rashid When playwright Jason Odell Williams saw a 2019 article in the New York Times with a photo featuring hundreds of faces staring back at him, theatrical inspiration struck like lighting. “There were people of all ages, races, and genders from across the country,” said the playwright. The article was about the America in One Room convention, which took place … Continue reading FST Mounts World Premiere of “America in One Room”
FST Stage Directions 