FST’s 2025 Summer Cabaret Series Opens with How Sweet It Is

(Sarasota, FL) — Florida Studio Theatre (FST) kicks off its 2025 Summer Cabaret Series with How Sweet It Is, a dynamic celebration of Motown’s enduring legacy. The show explores how Motown influenced music across genres and generations, enriched by personal stories of real-life collaborations with legends like Smokey Robinson, The Beatles, and other industry icons.

Led by acclaimed vocalist and songwriter Luke McMaster, a powerhouse trio breathes new life into Motown favorites like “Tracks of My Tears,” “You Can’t Hurry Love,” and “Stop! In the Name of Love.” How Sweet It Is begins performances May 27 in FST’s Goldstein Cabaret. Single tickets range from $18–$42 and are available at FloridaStudioTheatre.org or by calling (941) 366-9000.

“Motown music has this timeless ability to lift people up and bring them together,” said Luke McMaster, creator and star of How Sweet It Is. “This show is about more than nostalgia — it’s about sharing the stories behind the songs, celebrating the artists who inspired us, and connecting with audiences through the joy of live music.”

McMaster, whose album Songs Of Smokey earned praise from Smokey Robinson himself, has written songs for major artists including Rihanna. He is perhaps best known for his Billboard hit “Good Morning, Beautiful” featuring Jim Brickman.

Joining McMaster onstage are celebrated vocalists Louis Tucci and Miles Aubrey. Tucci returns to FST after appearing in On the Road, and has performed on Broadway (Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story), off-Broadway, and in television roles. Aubrey also returns to FST following last year’s The Music of Laurel Canyon. His credits include Broadway’s Ring of Fire and Jersey Boys, as well as regional theatre and film.

How Sweet It Is is part of FST’s three-show Summer Cabaret subscription package, which also includes Too Darn Hot, a sultry musical escape, and A Band Called Honalee, a nostalgic tribute to the iconic folk music of Peter, Paul and Mary and their peers. Subscriptions start at just $59 and can be purchased online at FloridaStudioTheatre.org or by calling (941) 366-9000. 

Sponsors

Florida Studio Theatre is grateful to its sponsors of the 2025 Summer Cabaret Season: Sarasota County Tourist Development Tax, The Shubert Foundation, The Exchange, and Florida’s Cultural Coast.

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 230,000 live attendees each year across its diverse programs: Mainstage, Cabaret, Stage III, Children’s Theatre, The FST School, New Play Development, and FST Improv.

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 the theatre where the street meets the elite — where everyone is welcome to engage in the art of theatre.

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