Sophie Tucker: The Last of the Red Hot Mamas
Meet Sophie Tucker, The Last of the Red Hot Mamas! With a voice and personality that lit up Vaudeville and Broadway, Tucker proved that female entertainers could reach the top of show business on their own terms. Starring FST favorite Kathy Halenda, this sizzling show features classics like “The Lady is a Tramp,” “You’ve Got to See Mama Every Night,” and Tucker’s signature song, “Some of These Days.”
Sophie Tucker: The Last of the Red Hot Mamas by Jack Fournier and Kathy Halenda will play beginning June 2 in FST's Gompertz Theatre. Subscribe and see Sophie Tucker plus two more Mainstage shows for as little as $49!
Run Time: 90 minutes with a 15-minute intermission
In compliance with CDC guidelines, masks are recommended, but not required to be worn by fully-vaccinated patrons while on-site at FST this summer. Patrons are more than welcome, and are encouraged, to continue to wear a mask while on-site at FST if it makes you feel more comfortable. We will continue to maintain rigorous cleaning practices, and will maintain our MERV-13 air filters campus-wide in perpetuity. Thank you, as always, for your cooperation and understanding. We look forward to seeing you for your upcoming performance at the theatre.
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CREATIVE
Director | Richard Hopkins
CAST
Sophie Tucker I Kathy Halenda
Piano | Jim Prosser
KATHY HALENDA (Sophie Tucker) is so happy to bring Sophie back home to the Florida Studio Theatre, where she belongs! FST: Mae West/Jo in Dirty Blonde, Inspired Lunacy, No Way to Treat a Lady, and numerous cabarets. 17 National tours, including Gypsy (Mama Rose), 42nd St. (Maggie Jones), Oliver (Nancy), Grand Hotel (Rafaela), Pajama Game (Mabel), and coming soon: Tootsie (Rita). Numerous regional credits, including the title roles in Mame (twice), Hello Dolly (twice), Evita, Annie Get Your Gun, as well as Mama Rose in Gypsy (four times), Miss Mona in The Best Lil’ Whorehouse in Texas (five times), Nancy in Oliver (four times) and Miss Hannigan in Annie. (Last seen at the Riverside Center as the understudy for Sally Struthers). Halenda was also the first female Ringmaster of the Big Apple Circus and The National Anthem Singer at Madison Square Garden and Fenway Park.
She also has three one-woman shows that have been presented nationwide. Sophie Tucker: Last of the Red Hot Mamas (co-written by her) was created at Florida Studio Theatre and critically acclaimed in Florida, Georgia, Walnut St. Theatre in Philadelphia, upstate New York, and was chosen for the Piccolo Spoleto Festival in Charleston, SC, and at The Arts Festival in Charleston, WV. Her Brassy Broads of Broadway debuted in Manhattan, NY, at Danny’s Skylight Room and has been seen nationally at numerous theatres, including The Richmond Triangle Players, Creative Cauldron, Florida Studio Theatre, the Philharmonic Center in Naples, FL, the ArtStation in Atlanta, and the Mac-Haydn Theatre in upstate New York. Somewhere Over the Rose debuted at the Center Stage in Richmond, VA, and has played the Richmond Triangle Players, Creative Cauldron, the Mac-Haydn Theatre in upstate New York, the ArtStation in Atlanta, and at Florida Studio Theatre for a four-week sold out run.
JIM PROSSER (Teddy) This upcoming Winter Season marks Jim’s 26th season as FST’s Resident Pianist. He most recently appeared in Vintage POP! and has arranged and co-developed over 50 Cabarets at FST including: Three Pianos, Light My Fire, Outlaws and Angels, That’s Amoré!, The Wonder Years, Unchained Melodies, and more. He has served as Composer/Music Director for The FST School, writing numerous scores for children’s shows. Jim is also a Music Director for FST Improv.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
SOPHIE TUCKER IN THE NEWS
SARASOTA HERALD-TRIBUNE I May 28, 2021 I Florida Studio Theatre brings a ‘red hot mama’ back to Sarasota
THE OBSERVER I June 3, 2021 I FST's Return of the 'Red-Hot Mama'
VENICE GONDOLIER-SUN I June 1, 2021 I FST Opens Its 29th Summer Mainstage Series with Sophie Tucker
REVIEWS
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
"Comical"
"Moving"
"Masterful"
"Halenda performs...with a lot of bravado and pathos"
Sarasota Magazine
"Kathy Halenda shines"
"Vivid"
"A welcome return"
"Poignant"
"An audience favorite"
Talkin' Broadway
"Radiant"
"Excellent"
"Audiences flock to see it"
"[An] all time favorite"
Total Theater
"Engaging"
"Winning"
"Comical"
"Excellent"
"Fast-moving and audience-pleasing"
Venice Gondolier-Sun
"Free-wheeling fun"
"Timeless"
"Halenda's powerhouse voice shines"
"Powerfully poignant"
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
ARTICLES BY FST
Getting Hotter All the Time! | READ MORE
An FST Favorite Comes Home I READ MORE
Return of the Red Hot Mamas I READ MORE
ADDITIONAL FORUMS
In 1962, when Americans were asked what they thought when they heard the name "Sophie" 95% answered "Tucker.” Learn more about the popular entertainer who was on close terms with both presidents and gangsters. READ MORE
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
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.
