Florida Studio Theatre Kicks Off its 2026 Summer Mainstage Series with Honky Tonk Angels

SARASOTA, Fla. (May 19, 2026) — Florida Studio Theatre (FST) is proud to commence its 2026 Summer Mainstage series with Honky Tonk Angels, a high-energy musical celebrating country music’s greatest hits. Created by Ted Swindley – the mind behind Always… Patsy Cline – this spirited story begins performances in FST’s Gompertz Theatre on May 27, with an official opening on May 29, 2026.

Praised as a “Texas-sized, down-home celebration” with “absolutely heavenly harmonies” by NPR, and “one of those shows you really don’t want to miss” by The Berkshire Edge, Honky Tonk Angels follows three women determined to chase their dreams of country music stardom and leave their troubles behind. Along the way, they form an unshakable friendship. Featuring hits like “These Boots Are Made for Walking,” “Harper Valley PTA,” and “Stand by Your Man,” this feel-good celebration is packed with laughter and joy.

“This musical is filled with three things: big hits, big heart, and big hair!” says Ben Liebert, Director and FST Associate Artist. “This show is a testament to how music can form unbreakable bonds. You’ll fall in love with these three women, the unique stories they share, and the ways they magnetically connect with one another.”

Liebert’s work as a director and choreographer includes FST’s Lucky Stiff and Jersey Boys as well as productions like Into the Woods, The Producers, and Ordinary Days. 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 Hailie Lucille as Sue Ellen, making her FST debut. Her credits include Million Dollar Quartet, Rumors, Mamma Mia!, and Kiss Me, Kate. Also making her FST debut is Alexandra Melrose as Angela, a role she previously performed at Laguna Playhouse. Her additional credits include Les Misérables and Sunday in the Park with George. Completing the trio is Hannah Taylor as Darlene, returning to FST after appearing in Take It to the Limit, A Place in the Sun, and Friends in Low Places.

“You’re in for a treat!” exclaims Hailie Lucille, playing Sue Ellen. “The songs are timeless, and these girls are such a joy to sing with. Their voices are out of this world! It’s a musical with a lot of heart. It shows you that even out of tough circumstances, you can rise above.”

To add even more excitement to the production, the cast is joined onstage by a live band featuring Zach Spound (Keyboard/Conductor), Sam Saint Ours (Guitars), Dina Bikzhanova (Fiddle), and Drew Martin (Drums).

The production team includes Ben Liebert (Director), Nathaniel Beliveau (Music Director), Isabel & Moriah Curley-Clay (Scenic Design), Madison Queen (Costume Design), Andrew Gray (Lighting Design), Nicholas Christensen (Sound Design), Shira Lebovich* (AEA Stage Manager), Tori Martinson, and Leigh Womack (Stage Management Interns).
*Indicates members of the Actors’ Equity Association (AEA), the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

 Chase the music and follow the dream in Honky Tonk Angels from May 27 to June 21, 2026. Previews are May 27 and 28, with opening night on May 29, 2026. Single tickets start at $39.

Honky Tonk Angels is part of FST’s three-show Summer Mainstage subscription package, which also includes Dog Mom, a tail-wagging new comedy, and The Last Romance, a love story for anyone who believes the best chapters are still ahead. Subscriptions start at just $59 and can be purchased online at FloridaStudioTheatre.org or by calling (941) 366-9000.

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Sponsors

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

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.