Laughing Matters
Laughing Matters, FST’s hit musical sketch comedy show, is back for round six! And this time, nothing and no one is safe from a good-spirited roast. From never-ending Sarasota construction and the perpetual hunt for downtown parking to Mother Nature’s increasingly wild mood swings and our endless quest to stay young, Laughing Matters delivers fast-paced comedy inspired by the culture and politics of today.
Click here to view the full playbill
Laughing Matters, by head writer Rebecca Hopkins with contributing writers Kevin Allen, Sarah Durham, Stephan deGhelder, Tony Hendricks, Nick Santa Maria, and Jim Prosser, will play February 16 - June 12, 2022 in FST's Court Cabaret.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
CREATIVE
Director | Richard Hopkins
Music Director | Minhui Lee
Choreographer | Ben Liebert
Scenic Design | Bruce Price
Costume Design | Susan Angermann
Lighting Design | Andrew Gray
Sound Design | Thom Korp
CAST
Jenna Cormey
Nick Anastasia
Richie McCall
William Selby
Pianist | Jim Prosser
Nick Anastasia is thrilled to be returning to FST for another round of Laughing Matters! FST: That’s Amoré, Unchained Melodies, Burt & Me, and Laughing Matters (vol. 5). Other professional credits include: Hair (Claude, International Tour), FRIENDS! The Musical Parody (Ross, Original Off-Broadway Cast/North American Tour), Voca People (Tenoro, Off-Broadway*/National/International Tours, *Lucille Lortel Award), Monster Jam (Host/Announcer, Fox Sports 1), The Love Note (Adam, Original Off-Broadway Cast), In The Heights (Sonny, Regional Premiere), Scab (featuring Alice Ripley), Disney Cruise Line (Disney Fantasy), bare (Jason, Licensed Premiere). Instagram: @nottherussianprincess
Jenna Cormey is thrilled to be making her FST debut, alongside this hilarious cast. Jenna just spent the last 5 months perfecting her Lisa Kudrow impression as Phoebe Buffay in the Off-Broadway production and North American tour of FRIENDS! The Musical Parody. Other credits include: The Office! A Murder Mystery Parody (World Premiere), FRIENDS! The Musical Parody (1st North American Tour), Little Black Dress: The Musical (1st National Tour), Dragons Love Tacos & Other Stories (2018 NationalTour).
Richie McCall is from New York City. Richie is thrilled to return to FST’s Cabaret stage and his 4th incarnation of Laughing Matters. He was seen in the original Broadway, Toronto, and National touring companies of Hal Prince’s Showboat as well as the Broadway touring company of Tommy Tune’s Grand Hotel. He has appeared on TV, in film, and in numerous commercials. His award-winning one-man show, which he wrote and stars in, Me and Stepin’, will be seen this fall in New York.
William Selby last appeared at FST in Bright Star (Daddy Cane/ Stanford). Other FST: Laughing Matters Vol. 5, Older Than Dirt, and Shakespeare’s Greatest Hits. He has directed 19 productions
of the hit musical revue Forbidden Broadway and starred in its Off-Broadway production. Other Off-Broadway: The Daring Duo, Nerds, Forbidden Hollywood, Juba, The Apple Tree. NY Workshop: Finding Nemo for Disney. Regional: Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (Bernadette), South Pacific (Billis) - (BroadwayWorld & CT Critics Circle Award nominations), Barrymore, The Presidents, Hot n’ Cole, and The All Night Strut.
LAUGHING MATTERS (VARIANT 6)
THE OBSERVER I April 23, 2022 I FST looks to find the universal laugh
SARASOTA HERALD-TRIBUNE I February 11, 2022 I FST looks for humor in amid pandemic in sketch comedy, "Laughing Matters"
BROADWAYWORLD I Janaury 21, 2022 I New Sketch Comedy Revue Laughing Matters Roasts Today's Culture and Current Events at FST
Total Theater
"Very funny"
"Have to love"
"The Flori. D Man sketch is a stitch"
"Excellent"
Venice Gondolier Sun
"Humorous Romp"
"Spoofs current events and folks who deserve spoofing."
"Fun"
INTERVIEWS
He's Back - William Selby Returns to Laughing Matters!
Meet the Laughing Matters Veteran, Richie McCall
It's A Lot of Work to Make People Laugh - With Jenna Cormey
From Stage to Stage with Gil Brady
Back for Another Round of Laughter - With Nick Anastasia
ARTICLES BY FST
Laughing Matters is back with All-New Laughs
ADDITIONAL ARTICLES
Did you know that popular satire has been around since the 16th century? Read this article outlining its brief history over the past five centuries. | READ
In this sketch from 2011’s Laughing Matters, a gentleman is very protective of his “luggage” during a pat down by the TSA. | WATCH
Broadway Direct put together a roundup of the Best Broadway parody videos, featuring everyone from Broadway actors to SNL stars to late-night hosts. Enjoy these videos as they celebrate the quirks and comedy of Broadway. | WATCH
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 Court Cabaret is located on the corner of First Street and Cocoanut Avenue inside FST's Hegner Theatre Wing. For GPS purposes, use the address of 1265 First Street, 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:
FST's Court Cabaret: Handicap drop off is at the corner of First Street 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.
