Florida Studio Theatre Opens TALLEY'S FOLLY in the Keating Tonight, 7/25

Florida Studio Theatre presents the second show of its Summer season, Lanford Wilson's Talley's Folly, which begins performances in FST's Keating Theatre (1241 N. Palm Ave.) tonight, July 25 at 8:00pm. Tickets are on sale and can be purchased online at www.Floridastudiotheatre.org, by phone at (941) 366-9000 or by visiting the Box Office. Single tickets to Talley's Folly range from $19-$36.

The Pulitzer Prize-winning Talley's Folly unfolds on the 4th of July near the end of World War II. In the romantic setting of a moonlit boat house, Jewish accountant Matt Friedman has one chance to win Sally Talley's heart. The oddball pair discovers the humor and vulnerability of true intimacy. Both rebel against the conventions of the turbulent times, where finding each other may be their last chance at real happiness. This beautifully-written tale proves how difficult and terrifying relationships can be, while celebrating the transformative power of love.

Kate Alexander, FST's Associate Director and director of this project said, "Talley's Folly is often called a 'valentine' because it is a beautiful piece about love. However, it is also a play about human fragility and the high-stakes of love, and whether these two people are ready to meet the challenge and take the "risk" when Aphrodite calls. As these two outcasts from American society-one cast out from the prevailing culture of the 1940s, and one from her family-find each other, they both see a glimpse of opportunity for a greater life with each other and ultimately for a greater America."

A prolific writer of experimental and traditional drama, the late Lanford Wilson is one of the most viably-successful playwrights of an era. Widely considered as a contributor to the American Theatre and a father of a genre which has become known as "lyric realism," Lanford has enjoyed success both on and off-Broadway, and his works are among the most produced plays within regional, community and college theatre.

FST welcomes Dominic Comperatore as Matt Friedman and Maren Bush as Sally Talley, both making their Sarasota stage debut.

Broadway actor Dominic Comperatore (Matt) formed his career in New York performing with various theatres, before landing a role in the Tony Award-winning revival of A View from the Bridge on Broadway. Following the revival he found his way into film and television, starring in Steven Soderberg's The Good German, Room 32, an HBO-comedy Heads and Tails, Everything For a Reason, Signal, Never, Never Talk to Strangers, Blue Bloods, 24, The Shield, Alias, Boston Legal, CSI Miami, ER, and HBO's Entourage.

Maren Bush (Sally) has worked extensively off-Broadway and regionally. Stage credits include: Off-Broadway: Purge and Raven at LaMaMa, Hoover Comes Alive! at La Jolla Playhouse. Regional Theatre: A Christmas Carol, The Real Thing, and The Merchant of Venice at the Guthrie Theatre, and Act a Lady at the Illusion Theatre.

Kate Alexander, FST Associate Director, will direct the production. Ms. Alexander has directed numerous productions and premieres on the FST stages including this season's Jericho, Next Fall, The Savannah Disputation, Ghost-Writer, I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change, Sylvia, Bridge & Tunnel, Shotgun, Shirley Valentine, The Miamians, Brooklyn Boy, The Exonerated, Wit, Proof, Lobby Hero, and Ten Unknowns. Ms. Alexander has also been a resident actress with Florida Studio Theatre for the past 20 years. Some of her leading roles were seen in the plays: The Goat, Filumena, Master Class, Three Tall Women, The Play About the Baby, and Golda's Balcony.

Talley's Folly will have preview performances tonight, July 25 and July 26, with a press opening on Friday, July 27 at 8pm and run through Sunday, August 26. Single tickets are $19 - $34 (Preview performances and "Back Row Bargain" seats available at $19). Single tickets may be purchased from the FST Box Office in person or by calling (941) 366-9000 or now online at www.floridstudiotheatre.org.

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