Florida Studio Theatre Announces 2026 Summer Season

SARASOTA, Fla. (April 20, 2026) — Florida Studio Theatre (FST) is thrilled to unveil its 2026 Summer Season, bringing audiences an exciting lineup of Mainstage productions and Cabaret Series performances. This summer, FST presents a mix of upbeat musicals, laugh-out-loud comedies, and intimate cabarets designed to entertain and inspire.

"This season is all about the little surprises that make life shine,” says Richard Hopkins, FST's Producing Artistic Director. "We’re celebrating the value of kindness on our Mainstage with stories that will warm your heart and refill your cup. And in the Cabaret, we’re bringing high-energy hits to the forefront, honoring the artists who continue to impact us today. We’re looking forward to yet another thrilling Summer Season!”

The 2026 Mainstage Series opens with the boot-scootin’ jukebox musical Honky Tonk Angels, followed by the heartwarming comedy Dog Mom, and concludes with the witty and tender play The Last Romance. Across all three productions, audiences can expect stories centered on humor, humanity, and the relationships that shape our lives.

Meanwhile, the Cabaret Series delivers a high-energy celebration of music and storytelling, featuring folk-inspired favorites, tributes to iconic female singer-songwriters, and a vibrant mix of Motown and pop hits. Each cabaret offers an intimate, music-driven experience designed to spotlight the artists and songs that continue to resonate across generations.

FST Improv also returns this summer with a full slate of spontaneous comedy. While the Sarasota Improv Festival takes a hiatus this year due to construction on the McGillicuddy Arts Plaza and the continued expansion of FST, audiences can still enjoy returning festival favorites including S@!$zprobe (New York City), Forgotten Broadway (Orlando), and Murder, She Improvised presented by Dad’s Garage (Atlanta), along with FST’s resident improv productions Comedy Lottery, Freedom! The Musical, and Out of Bounds.

Florida Studio Theatre’s Summer Season has become a beloved Sarasota tradition, providing a rich and diverse slate of performances. This year’s programming continues that tradition with stories that delight, music that moves, and moments that matter.

With its long-standing commitment to accessibility, FST offers full subscriptions to all three Mainstage or all three Cabaret productions for as little as $59. Subscriptions and tickets are available at FloridaStudioTheatre.org or by calling (941) 366-9000.

2026 Summer Season

MAINSTAGE

Honky Tonk Angels
By Ted Swindley
Begins Playing May 27 | Gompertz Theatre

Three women. One wild ride to Nashville. Join Angela, Darlene, and Sue Ellen as they chase their dreams of country music stardom and leave their troubles behind. Along the way, an unshakable friendship is formed. From the creator of Always… Patsy Cline and featuring hits like “9 to 5” and “Stand by Your Man,” this high-energy celebration of country’s greatest is full of laughter and heart.

Dog Mom
By Tate Elizabeth Hanyok
Begins Playing June 24 | Keating Theatre

National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere. Liz is a tough-as-nails New Yorker with a life falling apart faster than her morning bagel. When a scruffy stray dog shows up on her stoop, Liz – the least “dog person” on the planet – reluctantly agrees to foster it. This temporary inconvenience quickly turns into a heartwarming and hilarious journey of self-discovery and unlikely friendships. Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks?

The Last Romance
By Joe DiPietro
Begins Playing July 22 | Gompertz Theatre

A chance meeting. An unexpected spark. A second chapter. When widower Ralph takes a different path on his daily walk, he meets Carol, an elegant woman who just might change his life. What begins as a simple conversation blossoms into an unexpected journey of second chances. A warm, witty comedy about discovering how love can arrive when you least expect it – at any age.

CABARET

Leaving on a Jet Plane: A Folk Journey
Created by Aaron Gandy
Begins Playing May 12 | Goldstein Cabaret

Rediscover the heart and harmony of the 1960s in this intimate and joyful tribute to the era that shaped a generation. Featuring acoustic favorites from Simon & Garfunkel, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Cat Stevens, The Lovin’ Spoonful, and Bob Dylan, this warm and authentic cabaret proves that folk music wasn’t just a moment: it was a movement.

Songbirds of the Seventies: From Woodstock to Soft Rock
Created by Nancy Allen
Begins Playing July 7 | Court Cabaret

Unmistakable and unforgettable, this cabaret shines a radiant spotlight on the powerhouse singer-songwriters of the ’60s and ’70s. Featuring era-defining hits from Joni Mitchell, Carole King, Carly Simon, Helen Reddy, Stevie Nicks, and Linda Ronstadt, this vibrant tribute captures the soul and strength of those who wrote their own rules – and changed everything in the process.

Legacy: Motown & More!
Created by Justin Reynolds
Begins Playing August 4 | Goldstein Cabaret

Get ready for a high-energy celebration of nonstop music. From the smooth soul of Motown to the irresistible hooks of pop and R&B, this dynamic tribute spans the greatest classics from the 1960s through today. Relive beloved hits made famous by icons like The Jackson 5; Stevie Wonder; Earth, Wind & Fire; The Four Seasons; and The Temptations. Featuring tight harmonies and charismatic showmanship, this energetic revue delivers constant hits and fresh takes on old favorites.

IMPROV

S@!#zprobe
April 24-25 at 7:30PM | Keating Theatre

Back from headlining the 2025 Sarasota Improv Festival, the cast of S@!#zprobe skips rehearsal, throws away the script, and makes up a musical on the spot. Every song, lyric, line of dialogue, and dance move is totally improvised, accompanied by a live band who are also making up everything as they go. Each performance of S@!#zprobe is the premiere of a never-before-seen musical, and YOU help create it – each show is based on an audience member’s suggestion of a title of a musical that doesn’t yet exist. Past audiences have helped to create shows like Cindy Goes to a Yard Sale, Can She Even Walk in Heels?, and Not My First Rodeo.

Comedy Lottery (FST Improv)
June 6-June 27, July 11-25 at 7:30PM | Bowne’s Lab

Twelve lucky audience members determine the fate of our team by selecting the night’s lineup of games. Our cast of funny people are off to the races spinning scenes, sketches, and songs to win your laughter. What will they come up with next? We have absolutely no idea. But one thing is for sure: every Saturday night, their destiny is in your hands.

Freedom! The Musical (FST Improv)
July 4 at 7:30pm | Bowne’s Lab

Celebrate Independence Day with FST Improv! Sure, you know the story of the American Revolution. Red coats vs. colonialists. Taxation without representation. Hotdogs and fireworks. But do you know the back, back, backstory behind the major historic events? Join our cast of patriotic improvisers as they celebrate the birth of our great nation and reveal an untold story of the American Revolution in this never-before-seen musical.

Forgotten Broadway
July 31, August 1 at 7:30PM | Bowne’s Lab

Experience a one-of-a-kind evening as “forgotten” Broadway stars – portrayed by Orlando’s top improvisers – take center stage in a completely improvised revue. Using audience suggestions, these performers will create legendary Broadway stars, shows, and tunes on the spot.

Out of Bounds (FST Improv)
August 8-September 19 at 7:30PM | Bowne’s Lab

Two teams of improvisers go head-to-head in this no-holds-barred comedy showdown. In competitive rounds of fast-paced games, spontaneous scenes, and off-the-cuff songs, experienced improvisers duke it out to win over the audience’s laughter and applause. Which team will emerge triumphant? Only the audience can decide.

Murder, She Improvised
September 25-26 at 7:30PM | Bowne’s Lab

Murder, She Improvised is a completely improvised whodunit murder mystery featuring memorable characters, zany plots, and hilarious endings! There’s a different theme each performance, but one thing is always certain: MURDER. Come solve the mystery alongside skilled improvisers in these off-the-wall cases!

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Sponsors

Florida Studio Theatre is grateful to its sponsors of the 2026 Summer Season: The Shubert Foundation, Sarasota County Tourist Development Tax, Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Florida Arts & Culture, and The Exchange.

About Florida Studio Theatre

Florida Studio Theatre (FST) is Sarasota’s contemporary theatre. Founded in 1973, FST has grown to a village of five theatres located in the heart of downtown Sarasota. Each theatre is small in size and large in impact – providing intimate and engaging settings for high-quality, professional performances. 

Today, FST has established itself as a major force in American Theatre. FST is the largest subscription theatre in the state of Florida and among the largest in the country, serving more than 225,000 live attendees each year across its diverse programs: Mainstage, Cabaret, Stage III, Children’s Theatre, Improv, The FST School, and New Play Development.

Even with its growth, Florida Studio Theatre remains firmly committed to making the arts accessible and affordable to as many people as possible. Under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director Richard Hopkins, FST develops theatre that speaks to our living, evolving, and dynamically changing world. Hip and historical, entertaining and challenging, we are where everyone is welcome to engage in the art of theatre.