Friends in Low Places
Friends in Low Places celebrates the contemporary country musicians who transformed their genre and rocketed to the top of the charts. Artists like Garth Brooks, The Chicks, and George Strait spiked their honkytonk with Rock & Roll flair, and yet, they never strayed from country music’s core: truthful, authentic storytelling. Featuring such songs as “Could I Have This Dance,” “It's Five O'Clock Somewhere,” and “Good Hearted Woman.”
Friends in Low Places, by Rebecca Hopkins and Richard Hopkins with musical arrangements by Jim Prosser, will play November 17, 2021 - April 17, 2022, in FST's Goldstein Cabaret.
Click here to view the online playbill.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
CREATIVE
Director | Catherine Randazzo
Music Director | David Finch
Scenic Design | Bruce Price
Costume Design | Susan Angermann
Lighting Design | Andrew Gray
Sound Designer | Thom Korp
Sound and Light Board Operator | Natalie Shadrick
CAST
Jack Wesley Gerhard
Nick Abbott
Madalyn McHugh
Hannah Taylor
Nick Lerangis
Jack Gerhard is a New York City-based actor/musician. Most recent credits include Guy in the National Tour of Once and Almost Heaven at the Rev theater company. He loves country music and is happy y’all came out to see the show. Happy singing along!
Hannah Taylor is an actor/singer/dancer/musician based in NYC and originally from Atlanta, GA. She graduated from Marymount Manhattan College with her degree in Musical Theatre. Favorite theatre credits include: Gypsy (Louise), A Chorus Line (Judy Turner), and Pippin. When she’s not on stage, you can find her with her guitar on her back, traveling around NYC to play for children and family events. Hannah is thrilled to be making her FST debut!
Nick Abbott is honored to join the cast of FRIENDS IN LOW PLACES! Previous credits: Motown the Musical (North American Tour), White Christmas (John Engeman Theatre), Spandex the Audio Musical, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Resident Theatre Company), Grease (Sierra Repertory Theatre), Ring of Fire (Thingamajig Theatre Company), Guys and Dolls (The Theatre Barn), Beauty and the Beast and Smokey Joe’s Café (Legacy Theatre), and Million Dollar Quartet (Roxy Regional Theatre). B.F.A.: Ball State University. www.nickabbott.net
Madalyn McHugh Based in NYC, actor/musician and singer-songwriter Madalyn McHugh is thrilled to return to the FST for the third time, following Three Pianos and Outlaws & Angels. With a BA in Music/Vocal Performance, Madalyn completed NYC’s Broadway-integrated training program, Open Jar Institute. McHugh’s repertoire spans Musical Theatre, Opera, Pop, Country, and Contemporary Christian. Notable achievements include: her Nashville studio album, Stepping Stone, and opening for Kevin Bacon and Frank Vignola. McHugh recently co-created the pop band McHugh Girl with original music available on all streaming platforms.
Nick Lerangis is excited to be returning to FST for Friends in Low Places! Previous FST Credits: Once, Outlaws and Angels. He is a musician, singer, songwriter, actor/musician, and producer born and raised in New York City. He has written Billboard top 50-charting songs with electro-rock darlings Walk the Moon, toured with them and many other bands, and played in the pits of musicals. Off-Broadway: Between Gods and Kings (Bedlam). Regional and More: Once (St. Michael's Playhouse); Once More, With Feeling; Into The Woods; The Threepenny Opera. Nick recently released Cannon & deVaron, which is available anywhere music is streamed.
FRIENDS IN LOW PLACES IN THE NEWS
March 25, 2022 I Suncoast FYI I Interview Grant Alan Watkins of Friends in Low Places
February 28, 2022 I BroadwayWorld I Interview: Madalyn McHugh of Friends in Low Places at Florida Studio Theatre
November 15, 2021 I Sarasota Herald-Tribune I Florida Studio Theatre Cabaret salutes crossover country stars with Friends in Low Places
REVIEWS
Total Theater
"Fun"
"Romantic"
"Music for everyone"
"Friends in Low Places maintains Richard Hopkins' and Rebecca Hopkins' years of success following the progress of country music in their Cabaret creations"
INTERVIEWS
The Southern Boy - Grant Alan Watkins in Friends in Low Places
An Unbreakable Connection With Country - With Madalyn McHugh
Music & Memories - With Hannah Taylor
The FST Newcomer - With Nick Abbott
ARTICLES BY FST
Friends in Low Places Extends Its Run
Melting Pot Music...Electrified
The Resilience of the People's Music
ADDITIONAL ARTICLES
When people think of country music, they typically think of Nashville, TN, and Texas. Did you know that Florida boasts its own popular country musicians? | READ MORE
Do you know the story behind Garth Brooks’ beloved song, “Friends in Low Places?” | LEARN MORE
See what records made Taste of Country’s top 10 best country albums of 2021 | READ MORE
There are plenty of parking options available when you visit Florida Studio Theatre, including two adjacent parking lots and three nearby parking garages, plus on-street parking.
Watch the video below to find a convenient place to park while you enjoy the theatre.
Getting Here:
FST's Goldstein Cabaret is located on North Palm Avenue next to FST's Keating Theatre. For GPS purposes, use the address of 1239 North Palm Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34236. For a map of FST buildings and venues, please see below. For more information, please call the FST Box Office at 941.366.9000.
Handicap Drop Off:
Goldstein Cabaret: drop off in front of the Cabaret along Palm Avenue between Tamiami Trail and Cocoanut Avenue.
For those who require additional assistance or handicap parking/drop off, please see the map below. For any questions regarding handicap parking please call the box office at 941.366.9000.
