Meet the Cast of "Sailing: Yacht Rock and Beyond" at Florida Studio Theatre

Get to know some of the vocalists from Sailing: Yacht Rock and Beyond in this behind-the-scenes Q&A with Talitha McDougall Jones and Lorenzo Pugliese!

Prepare to set sail and drift away with these feel-good hits, playing at Florida Studio Theatre beginning September 23, 2026.

What are you most excited about during your time here?

Talitha: To make some really great music with some really great musicians. I'll probably hit the beach too.

What do you like to do in your free time?

Talitha: You can find me telling jokes at a comedy club, trying a local coffee shop/resturaunt, or playing with my sweet puppy, Koda.

Lorenzo: Read, meditate, exercise, go for walks, cook, play guitar, write music, write poetry.

What's your personal relationship with this type of music?

Talitha: I grew up listening to this music. Only as an adult do I now recognize it as Yacht Rock, but singing this music is like being home.

Lorenzo: I'm a huge fan. "Steal Away" by Robbie Dupree and "What a Fool Believes" by The Doobie Brothers are some of my favorite songs.

What type of music do you normally listen to? Do you have a favorite genre, song, and/or artist?

Talitha: My listening is vast. I think the greater your range of music, the greater your ability to understand it. I've spent my whole life listening to music across all genres. Each one serves such a specific purpose in how it affects me.

Lorenzo: I love all music, I really can't pick a genre. My favorite artists are The Beatles and ELO.

Do you have any pre- or post-show routines?

Talitha: Lip trills and lozenges before, a sweet treat or glass of sav. blanc after. :)

Lorenzo: I sleep 9-10 hours a night, then don't talk for the first 3 hours I am awake. I go for a long walk as soon as I wake up, meditate, hit the gym, make a big lunch, and then try to relax until its time to warm up my voice and get ready for my show!

How do you want audiences to feel after leaving this show?

Talitha: I want them to feel elevated. There is a reason that this type of music speaks to people and it's because the songs are full of joy. They tell of love and the ocean and vacation and celebration, and I think now more than ever we could all use a few doses of that.

Lorenzo: Like they just got back from vacation. Glowing, present, and simply happy to be alive.