Great Balls of Fire
Jerry Lee Lewis was the original bad boy of Rock & Roll. Led by Jason Cohen, who has played Lewis in nearly 80 cities across North America, Great Balls of Fire brings the ivory-smashing superstar back to life. With hits from the ‘50s and beyond, including “Good Golly, Miss Molly,” “Shake, Rattle, and Roll,” and “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” this electrifying act will have you dancing in your seat.
Great Balls of Fire, created by Jason Cohen and Michael Schiralli, with musical arrangements by Jason Cohen and the show's cast, will play beginning June 15 in FST's Court Cabaret. Subscribe and see Great Balls of Fire plus two more Cabaret shows for as little as $49!
Run Time: 70 minutes with a 15-minute intermission
For Your Safety:
Due to CDC guidelines, FST is strongly recommending that all audience members wear masks regardless of vaccine status while they are at Florida Studio Theatre. Masks are required for all unvaccinated patrons. Masks may be removed while dining in FST's Green Room Cafe and Bar or at your table in our Cabaret theatres. We will continue our rigorous cleaning practices and will maintain our MERV-13 air filters campus-wide in perpetuity. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
CREATIVE
Artistic Oversight | Catherine Randazzo
Scenic Designer | Bruce Price
Lighting Designer | Michael Pasquini
Sound Designer | Thom Korp
Sound & Lighting Board Operator I Zachary Sayre
CAST
Jason Cohen
with
Justin Brown | Saxophones, Clarinet, Piccolo, and Vocals
Luke Darnell | Guitar, Mandolin, and Vocals
Nathan Yates Douglass | Double Bass, Harmonica, and Vocals
Donald "Sno0py" Watts | Drums and Vocals
Justin Brown - Justin is a NYC-based performer with an especially varied career. He has performed on Broadway, National Tours, Luxury cruise ships, Theaters, Symphonies, Big Bands, and more. Justin specializes in Woodwinds, including Saxophones, Flute, Piccolo, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Recorders, and World Flutes. Justin grew up and began his music career in Memphis, TN, where he studied at the University of Memphis. He holds a Master’s in Multiple Woodwind Performance and a Bachelor’s in Music Education.
Jason Cohen is an actor, director, writer, musical director, and multi-instrumentalist, frequently working in more than one capacity on any given project. He is also the Director of Theatre Education for Axelrod Performing Arts Center (Deal, NJ), and volunteers with Justice Arts Coalition, which brings the arts to incarcerated people. He holds a BFA from NYU Tisch and has trained at RADA (London) and with Fiasco Theater (NYC). Jason lives in Manhattan and hotel rooms across the country. For more info about future projects, visit JasonCohenOnline.com.
Luke Darnell - A fourth-generation performer, Luke’s family legacy includes Vaudeville, Broadway and film/TV. As an actor, musician, and stuntman he has performed on 4 continents in venues ranging from dive bars to theatres to arenas. Off-Broadway/NYC: The Other Josh Cohen, Cyrano de Bergerac (Christian) and The Goree All-Girl String Band. Las Vegas: Million Dollar Quartet (Perkins, Cash). Select regional: The Understudy (Jake), End Of The Rainbow (Mickey Deans), Jersey Boys (Gyp DeCarlo), MDQ (Perkins, Phillips), Oliver! (Bill Sykes). TV: “Gotham”, “Ghost Whisperer”, “General Hospital”, “Momsters,” and many films you haven’t seen.
Nathan Yates Douglass is thrilled to be rockin' n rollin' back at FST! He previously appeared at FST with The Swingaroos in The Music of the Night. Nathan is a NYC-based actor-musician who has appeared in productions and performances all over this country and beyond. His solo music work can be found on Spotify and most music streaming platforms. His next album, “Outros,” is planned for a late summer release. NathanYatesMusic.com
DONALD “SNO0PY” WATTS II, internationally known as Sno0py Watts, was born and raised in West Palm Beach Florida. He developed a love for music at three years old. After completing college, Watts began to work as the house drummer for musical theaters and quickly began touring the world. To date, he’s toured 40+ countries sharing his passion with the world. He’s captured the attention of many including ABC News and The Suncoast News Network.
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GREAT BALLS OF FIRE IN THE NEWS
SUNCOAST CULTURE CLUB I August 5, 2021 I Jason Cohen, Co-Creator and Star of Great Balls of Fire at Florida Studio Theatre, Joins the Club
SARASOTA HERALD-TRIBUNE I June 13, 2021 I "A Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" at FST With Jerry Lee Lewis Tribute Show
REVIEWS
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
"A lively romp"
"High-energy"
"Marvelous"
"A delight"
"Knocks it out of the park"
"Incredible"
"Impressive"
Total Theater
"Multi-talented"
"Super-energetic"
"A sure-fire hit with the audience"
"Perfect"
"They get the audience clapping"
The Observer
"Gutsy"
"Killer"
"The real deal"
"Sizzles"
"Great show"
"New, original"
Sarasota Magazine
"There's some good rockin' tonight"
"Amazing"
"Fresh and Alive"
"All about the songs"
"Impressive"
"A lot of fun to watch and hear"
Venice Gondolier Sun
"Couldn't have been better"
"Perfect show for reviving our spirits"
"Powerful"
"You just can't help but walk out smiling"
"Show-stopping"
"Fast-paced and high energy"
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
ARTICLES BY FST
GOODNESS GRACIOUS! Great Balls of Fire Barrels Toward FST
ADDITIONAL ARTICLES
Jerry Lee Lewis is the last surviving member of the famous 1956 Million Dollar Quartet recording session. What has Lewis been up to recently? I READ
Get a sneak peek of what’s in store this summer with Great Balls of Fire. I WATCH
Great Balls of Fire front man Jason Cohen has played Jerry Lee Lewis onstage in over 80 cities in North America. Here are some highlights from his performance in the national tour of Million Dollar Quartet. I WATCH
Jerry Lee Lewis was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1986, alongside Chuck Berry and Sam Cooke. Learn more about Rock & Roll’s first “wild man.” I READ
VIDEOS
Get a sneak peek!
See what critics are saying!
See what audiences are saying!
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
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.
Handicap Drop Off Locations:
Gompertz Theatre, Court Cabaret, and Bowne's Lab: drop off along the corner of First Street and Cocoanut Avenue.
Keating Theatre: drop off along Cocoanut Avenue between First Street and Palm Avenue.
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.
