The Lucky Forecast Calls for Laughter

The weather’s always nice in Monte Carlo. But this winter in Sarasota, it’s downright unpredictable.

That’s because Lucky Stiff, FST’s first Winter Mainstage production, is bringing sunshine, silliness, and a dash of musical mayhem to the stage.

At the center of it all is Sarasota’s own weatherman, John Scalzi, forecasting something entirely new: absolute stillness.

Scalzi, the familiar face who brightens local mornings with his 2 a.m. wake-up calls and early forecasts, will be playing the only character in the show who doesn’t move… or speak.

“Working as a morning meteorologist, my alarm goes off at 2:00 a.m. So in a way, it’s typecasting to play someone dead,” he joked. “Some people might say the silence will be their favorite part. Others will think I’ve got a 50/50 chance of staying dead. But I think audiences will really enjoy the incredible talent all around me.”

That blend of humor and heart is exactly what director Ben Liebert believes makes Lucky Stiff so irresistible. “A musical with a big heart is the perfect remedy for our world right now,” Liebert said. “No matter what style they’re writing in, the songs of Ahrens and Flaherty are always full of emotion. That’s what makes the music in this show so engaging and funny: because the best comedy comes from honesty.”

At the heart of the chaos is Harry Witherspoon, played by Barrett Riggins, a shy shoe salesman whose life is turned upside down when he’s forced to take his dead uncle’s body on vacation to Monte Carlo in order to claim an inheritance.

“Harry is an atypical musical character,” Riggins said. “He’s ornery, self-deprecating, and he explicitly hates dogs. Dogs! It’s such a fun twist to have such a prickly chap at the center of a musical comedy.”

While Harry’s journey is driven by absurd circumstances, the story is grounded and heartfelt, thanks to characters like Annabel Glick, a passionate animal lover played by Amanda Rose.

 “I really admire Annabel’s strength,” Rose said. “She doesn’t apologize for what she believes in. She loves animals, especially dogs, and she wants to save them all. I think audiences will connect with her passion and compassion.”

Adding even more energy to the story is Rita, the mistress of the dead uncle, played by Laura Yen Solito. Bold, impulsive, and secretly vulnerable.

“A theme that resonates with me is that so many people are searching for the same thing: purpose, freedom, love, and new beginnings,” Solito said. “Life takes you in many different directions, but eventually, you find your way back to your truest self.”

As outrageous as Lucky Stiff gets, complete with disguises, mistaken identities, and one very lively corpse, it’s ultimately a story about people coming to life by stepping outside their comfort zones.

“We all get stuck in our daily routines,” Liebert said. “I hope the audience feels inspired to try something new and live life to the fullest.”

So whether you come for the comedy, the catchy tunes, or to see your local weatherman try not to sneeze onstage, one thing’s certain: the forecast at FST this winter calls for a 100% chance of laughter, with a few heartfelt showers along the way.