Smoke & Mirrors

Hamilton Orr will stop at nothing to get what he wants. A top Hollywood director, Hamilton comes up with a deadly scheme to gain control over a multi-million-dollar film. He just needs to persuade the movie’s screenwriter, Clark, to get onboard. And make sure that Barbara, his wife, plays her part. When his plot doesn’t go as planned, Hamilton comes face-to-face with the wily local sheriff, Leroy. Smoke & Mirrors keeps the audience guessing (and laughing) until the end.

Click here to view the online playbill.

Smoke and Mirrors by Will Osborne and Anthony Herrera will play beginning August 3-August 28, 2022 in FST's Gompertz Theatre.

Run Time: 2 hour and 10 minutes with a 15-minute intermission

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

“Smoke and Mirrors (Osborne/Herrera)” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com

CREATIVE

CAST

Alberto Bonilla (Clark) Film/TV: The God Committee, Sleep Walk with Me, Cop Out, Pride and Glory, My Best Friend’s Girl, Wu-Tang: an American Saga, FBI, Russian Doll, Iron Fist, Gotham, Blue Bloods, Last Week Tonight With John Oliver, Person of Interest, The Sopranos. Broadway: (US) Dr.Wally/Bob, Roundabout Theatre Company’s Marvin’s Room. Other NYC theater: Much Ado About Nothing, Twelfth Night, The Cherry Orchard, The Laramie Project and Raft of the Medusa. The Hippodrome Theatre: Living on Love, My Favorite Husband, and The Blameless. MFA: Rutgers, AEA / SAG-AFTRA. albertobonilla.com

Ben Cherry (Hamilton) Broadway: Indecent, Fiddler on the Roof. National tour: Mary Poppins. Select regional: The Repertory Theatre of St Louis; The Guthrie; Pioneer Theatre Company; Arena Stage; Baltimore Center Stage; Kansas City Rep; Center Theatre Group; Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park; The Arden; Utah Shakespeare Festival; Milwaukee Rep; and Delaware Theatre Company. Television: The Equalizer, The Following, Smash, and I Love You… But I Lied. Awards: MAC Award, Best Debut. Training: The University of Michigan, North Carolina School of the Arts. bencherry.com

Jack Gerhard (Derek) is so happy to be returning to FST and Sarasota! He was previously seen on the FST stage in Friends in Low Places. Other credits include Guy in the national tour of Once and Almost Heaven at The REV Theatre Co. in upstate New York. His original music can be found at jackgerhard.com.

Justin Ness (Sheriff Leroy) FST debut. Off-Broadway: Henry VI Part III (Classic Stage Company), Arias in the Key of Clown (Cherry Lane Theater). Regional: The Fantasticks, The Dazzle, Cripple of Inishmaan, The Foreigner, Much Ado About Nothing, Valparaiso, A Storm in the Barn, The Fisherman and His Soul with Great Lakes Theater, Cider Mill Playhouse, Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Boise Contemporary Theater. Film: Searching for Bobby D, Making Sense, Six Dynamic Laws.

Alanna Smith (Barbara) FST debut! Recently originated a role in the world premiere of Nevermore - The Fantastic Terrors of Edgar Allan Poe before directing it at Gretna Theatre. Favorite Regional: Young Frankenstein, Noises Off, A Comedy of Tenors, A Funny Thing…Forum, The Importance of Being Earnest. TV/Film: Love Afloat, Chang Can Dunk, FBI: Most Wanted. BFA Ithaca College, and member of the TedXBroadway Young Professional Cohort ’22.

SMOKE & MIRRORS IN THE NEWS

Sarasota Herald-Tribune I July 31, 2022 I Florida Studio Theatre uses 'Smoke and Mirrors" to craft a comic mystery

REVIEWS

The Observer
"Smart"
"Very, very funny"
"Impressive"
"Sparkles"
"Tickles your funny bone"

Our Town Sarasota
“The perfect cocktail. A measure of comedy and a shot of mystery, mixed with a slice of murder and a twist.”
“Cleverly written”
“Intriguing”
“Stunning performances”
“Be prepared to laugh”
“It has all the components to effortlessly keep your attention.”
“A must-see”

Sarasota Magazine
"This puzzle piece asks the audience to play along"
"It's...about having some fun guessing who really did what to whom"

Total Theater
"Excellent"
"Mysterious"
"Gets a good audience reaction"
"Gives the actors a chance to shine"

Venice Gondolier-Sun
"Outrageous"
"A talented cast of characters"
"Humor on steroids"
"A great tour-de-force"

ARTICLES BY FST

Classic Hollywood is Back With a Vengeance

The Conniving Director of Smoke & Mirrors - With Ben Cherry

ADDITIONAL ARTICLES

You may not think that comedies and murder mysteries go together well, but after watching one of the films on this list, like Clue, you might change your mind. | READ MORE

Learn about the Pennsylvania premiere of Smoke & Mirrors | READ MORE

Read more about FST’s hit 2000 production of Smoke & Mirrors via Playbill | READ MORE

Smoke & Mirrors was created by two theatre artists in the 1990s. Learn more about one of the creators, Will Osborne, who also writes children’s books | LEARN MORE

There are plenty of parking options available when you visit Florida Studio Theatre, including two adjacent parking lots and three nearby parking garages, plus on-street parking.

Watch the video below to find a convenient place to park while you enjoy the theatre.

Getting Here:

FST's Gompertz Theatre is located on the corner of First Street and Cocoanut Avenue inside FST's Hegner Theatre Wing. For GPS purposes, use the address of 1265 First Street, Sarasota, FL 34236. For a map of FST buildings and venues, please see below. For more information, please call the FST Box Office at 941.366.9000.

Handicap Drop Off:

For FST's Gompertz Theatre: Handicap drop off is at the corner of First Street and Cocoanut Avenue.

For those who require additional assistance or handicap parking/drop off, please see the map below. For any questions regarding handicap parking please call the FST Box Office at 941.366.9000.

Campus Parking Map