Florida Studio Theatre Extends Madcap Musical Mystery, Lucky Stiff

SARASOTA, Fla. (December 1, 2025) — Florida Studio Theatre (FST) is pleased to announce that its opening Winter Mainstage production, Lucky Stiff, has been extended through January 4, 2026. With Book and Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and Music by Stephen Flaherty – the Tony-winning duo behind Ragtime and Seussical – this fast-paced romp of murder and mistaken identities has audiences and critics cheering.

See Lucky Stiff and three more Mainstage productions for as little as $19.75 per show when you subscribe.

Rave reviews continue rolling in, with the Observer calling the production a “hilarious … screwball comedy joy ride” that’s “packed with laughs.” Sarasota Magazine agrees, praising it as “energetic, freewheeling fun.” BroadwayWorld hails the show as “a captivating adventure that keeps everyone on the edge of their seats, laughing all the way,” declaring it “everything a theatergoer could wish for.”

In this zany escapade, mild-mannered shoe salesman Harry Witherspoon must escort the taxidermized body of his murdered uncle on a “vacation” to Monte Carlo. If Harry succeeds in passing his uncle off as alive, he’ll inherit six million dollars. If not, the fortune goes to the Universal Dog Home of Brooklyn – or worse, into the hands of his uncle’s gun-toting ex!

“I play a dead person, so that’s that,” jokes ABC7 Meteorologist John Scalzi, guest starring as “The Body.” “But audiences love to see the antics these actors pull off. They are so creative, and they do such fun things. Audiences are howling. We’re getting standing ovations! All I do is have the best seat in the house and watch these brilliant people perform all around me.”

Lucky Stiff is directed by Ben Liebert, whose directing and choreography credits at FST include Jersey Boys and Waitress. As an actor, he has appeared on Broadway in Wicked, as well as in off-Broadway and regional productions of Fiddler on the Roof, Little Shop of Horrors, and Chicago.

The cast features Barrett Riggins* as Harry Witherspoon, Amanda Rose* as Annabel Glick, Laura Yen Solito* as Rita La Porta, Scott Cote* as Vinnie Diruzzio, James Patterson* as Luigi Gaudi, Sarah Hund* as Woman 1, Soraiah Williams as Woman 2, Jason Pintar* as Man 1, and Brad Myer as Man 2. ABC7 Meteorologist John Scalzi guest stars as “The Body.”

The creative team includes Ben Liebert (Director and Musical Staging), Nathaniel Beliveau (Music Director), Isabel & Moriah Curley-Clay (Scenic Design), Ben Rawson (Lighting Design), Nicholas Christensen (Sound Design), Harry Nadal (Costume Design), Nicholas Ryan (Sound & Light Board Operator), Shira Lebovich* (AEA Stage Manager), Emilia Hernandez Ciotti* (AEA Assistant Stage Manager), Ashley Nolt, Sage Brown, and Mariana Villarreal (Stage Management Interns)
*Indicates members of Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

Take a madcap musical joyride with Lucky Stiff, now playing through January 4, 2026. Lucky Stiff is part of FST’s four-show Winter Mainstage subscription, which also includes A Tailor Near Me, The Blue-Sky Boys, and Birthday Candles. Subscriptions are on sale now for as little as $79, and single tickets start at $27. For more information, visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org or call (941) 366-9000.

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Sponsors

Florida Studio Theatre is grateful to its sponsors of the 2025-26 Winter Mainstage Season: Sarasota County Tourist Development Tax, The Shubert Foundation, Florida’s Cultural Coast, Florida Arts & Culture, Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Herald-Tribune LOCALiQ, and WEDU PBS.

Based on “The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo” by Michael Butterworth. First produced by Playwrights Horizons, Inc. Off-Broadway in 1988.

Lucky Stiff is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com

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.