Florida Studio Theatre

We had an amazing experience at The Goldstein Cabaret at the Florida Studio Theatre last night. The production was “Three Pianos” music of rock pianists from the last 70 years. The show was an amazing group of talented singers and pianists. Far exceeded our expectations for our first foray for a local theater. We also had dinner, cocktails and dessert prior to and throughout the show. We had the Boursin cheese appetizer, crab cakes and salmon dishes. Everything was on par or even better than some of the local Sarasota restaurants. This really surprised us for a dinner theater. This was optional but a nice option prior to the show. Everything was delicious. There was a 15 minute intermission. We chose free garage parking which was across the street and very convenient. The staff for entry, servers, etc. were very friendly, efficient and pleasant. We will look into season tickets for this quaint, intimate impressive theater.

I always enjoy coming here. Recently watched the Lucky Stiff..and before that the Jersey Boys. The audience is well behaved...maybe a little too calm in some ways.. 😆. The bar is open for service before and during for pre orders at intermission. There are just small chairs with little walking room for passerbys. Nowhere to sit a glass, so I generally feel forced to down my martini prior because I don't want to be responsible for a broken glass or spilt drink. Other than that small inconvenience, the place is quaint and keeps overcrowding away. You never know in Florida if the AC is good for a particular temperature liking, so I usually dress comfortable and bring a thin overshirt/sweater/whatever just in case. I've never had a bad time. Everyone is respectful. Sometimes the wait staff seem irritated or disengaged, but no one knows who they had to deal with that day. There are a lot of entitled people out there. Be kind and enjoy your time. It's worth it!

Eisenhower, This Piece of Ground, opened today. It is a solo biographical drama that takes place in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania on Eisenhower’s farm in 1962. It covers his life and legacy based on his memoirs and speeches about his successful planning of the D-Day invasion and the many accomplishments of his two term presidency which include the creation of an interstate highway system and signing the Civil Rights act of 1957. A brilliant performance by Robert Zukerman. A must see worthy of 5+ stars. Performances through January 30. Three Pianos at Goldstein Cabaret runs until April 5, 2026. A musical revue featuring songs by Fats Domino, Billy Joel, Carol King, Elton John and many others. Talented musicians and vocalists. I would rate the show 4 stars. Lucky Stiff, a musical farce now playing until December 28,2025. Based on the book “The Man Who Broke the Bank in Monte Carlo”, was off Broadway in 1988. Also played in London’s West End in 1997. Very funny with a great cast. If you like farces, you’ll like this play at the Gompertz Theater at FST. Don’t Dress for Diner is a very funning farce by Marc Campletti who also wrote Boeing Boeing. Well acted with good costumes, scenic design. This play is in the Gompertz Theater and runs through August 24. Highly recommend this very funny production about a romantic weekend that goes wrong and turns chaotic and confusing. Dorothy’s Dictionary by E M Lewis at the Gompertz theater through August 10. A troubled high school student is assigned community service reading to a blind librarian in a nursing home develop an unlikely friendship. The two create a bond through the power of words and literature. I recommend this heartwarming story lasting 60 minutes. Dames at Sea running through July 6, 2025. A story about an aspiring young dancer from Utah who gets off a bus with only her tap shoes. Ruby is hopeful for a part on Broadway and lands a small role in a Broadway musical with help from a songwriting sailor. The deva Mona starring in the musical is unable to play her part and gives up her starring role. However , the theater suddenly closes and there is no place to put on their show. But it all works out in the end. Very good acting, singing and tap dancing. A fun play at the Gompertz theater. Bowne’s Lab is currently featuring a thoughtful and amusing play by Brent Askari, a PersianAmerican actor and playwright. The play is about a self help book friend/author who shows up at a couple’s apartment. As they critique the book, everything goes terribly wrong. The play is amusing and thoughtful. The performances by the 3 actors are excellent. Amanda Kristin Nichols is outstanding. Most performances are well done here at FST. Their current offering is the 2015 play “The Outsider” by Paul Slade Smith. This play is relevant to today’s political environment. A satirical look at unqualified candidates for political office who only answer questions with vague platitudes. If you like plays like Moliere’s “Tartuffe”, you may enjoy this very amusing farce. The production and actors are excellent. Continues through August 25th. Florida Studio Theater is now featuring the very funny and outlandish play about a “person eating plant” gone berserk and a sadistic dentist and his girlfriend. Little Shop of Horrors cast does an excellent job on this 2003 Broadway play based on several films starting in 1960. This is a must see running through January 14, 2024.

Two actors came from this studio to perform Snow White at Charlotte Harbor Center School in Port Charlotte, FL. The show was remarkable! I was so impressed by the talent both actors have! They played multiple characters VERY WELL. Also, a hand of applause to whoever wrote the show. I have been to many plays over the years and this was hands down one of the best I have seen, especially with a two man show. Very well written and very well acted. I wish I would have asked the actors names to add to my review and took pictures.

December 2025 - Been going here as annual supporters/members since 2021 when we moved. Had been at Walnut Street Theater in Philly for two decades and then in Long Island and on Broadway for 16 years. FST ------- WE LOVE IT!! Of course no pictures BUT we did get a little snake the other day and since I usually do only food reviews on Yelp....... here is one for the FST. Banana Ice Cream Sandwich (new) is fantastic!!! And the Pecan Pie with vanilla Ice cream is very good (in truth the pie is pecan covered on top but the pie filling is just a sugary gelatinous filling and could be improved....but it was slightly warmed and was very nice. (see pictures) We don't go here for the food, but a lite snack and drinks are awesome and convenient and fairly priced!!!

Amazing theater complex of several buildings and a lovely restaurant. We enjoyed the show "Lucky Stiff" and had a great lunch with reasonable prices. I had the Mushroom Ravioli which was delicious & my partner had the waffle sandwich with pot roast. Would definitely make the trip to Sarasota again.

When you get their subscription, you can see a bunch of shows for a very reasonable price. It’s super easy (and free) to switch shows if something comes up and your plans change. The shows are geared toward the retired community so younger adults may not enjoy the clientele as much as. Personal, I enjoy the shows and easy two block walk to get there.

Great small venue theater - very cozy. All seats have a good view of the stage. Well managed with announcing the countdown to the play or end of intermission.

December 2025 - Been going here as annual supporters/members since 2021 when we moved. Had been at Walnut Street Theater in Philly for two decades and then in Long Island and on Broadway for 16 years. FST ------- WE LOVE IT!! Of course no pictures BUT we did get a little snake the other day and since I usually do only food reviews on Yelp....... here is one for the FST. Banana Ice Cream Sandwich (new) is fantastic!!! And the Pecan Pie with vanilla Ice cream is very good (in truth the pie is pecan covered on top but the pie filling is just a sugary gelatinous filling and could be improved....but it was slightly warmed and was very nice. (see pictures) We don't go here for the food, but a lite snack and drinks are awesome and convenient and fairly priced!!!

This little theater was fantastic. Very intimate. But don't let the size fool you! The sound transcends. It was a great space with not a bad seat in the house. The sound and lighting effects are phenomenal here. We popped in to visit a friend who had flown down from Broadway and we were treated to the sights and sounds of an amazing production: Lucky Stiff! Will be planning a trip back to the Sarasota area and will have to catch another show when we return. The prices were very reasonable for such an equity cast. Brava!

FST is an intimate space that offers a variety of shows. You can also buy food, drinks and treats at the theatre. When we arrived we were checked in and taken to our seats. The employees that we engaged with were friendly. There is lower level seating and a balcony with seats. Our seats were in the balcony. There is an elevator on site. After we were seated an employee came over after another group of people realized that we both were given tickets with the same seats. The other group were moved to another seat. The seats in the balcony were very close to one another without much personal space. The show that we saw was entertaining. Since going to the show I have gotten frequent advertisements from the theatre of upcoming shows.

Lovely community theater campus with several performance spaces offering cabaret, improv, musicals and more. FST's ticketing is process is thoughtfully designed to provide all the info you'll need about getting there, parking, & dining. Recommend!

Florida studio theater is very very friendly to customers. They are more than willing to change your seats for a different day without any charge. The shows are spectacular. It's quality quality, production, singing and acting. I have been a season ticket holder for 23 years and I am pleasedalways with their offerings. It's the best bargain in town if you get the season tickets you get wonderful seats and you get spectacular productions.

Have had several enjoyable evenings at the FST. It would be great if they had some healthy "grab and go" snacks for those who skipped dinner to get to the show on time. Highly recommended!

Saw the play Network in a non Cabaret theater (Gompertz) worth seeing the remake of this Paddy Chayefsky play about the power of television. It is every bit as poignant today as the 70's when Howard Beale yelled "we are mad as hell and we are not going to take it anymore" The cast is outstanding and again, if you want to see a well performed play with very good staging, I recommend Network.

It's always great to. Unusual productions. We live going there . Really makes for an enjoyable night.

Went and seen a few shows here. Its very nice and not a bad seat anywhere. Would recommend it for a fun evening.

Shows are well produced and the intimacy of the venues brings the audience up close and personal. The resume of the artists is deep with lots of broadway and television experience. Haven't seen a bad show yet. Food is also good with enough variety to satisfy whatever your appetite might be that day.

Fabulous theatre in the heart of downtown Sarasota offering a variety of performances.

The shows are reasonably priced. Entertaining. We have been subscribers for 3+ years and yes there were shows I didn't like but there was only 1 I walked out off. Great value from the small cabaret to the larger theaters. There is no bad seat. As a subscriber you can change your tickets at no cost. Great benefit!

This was our second visit to FST, which really consists of five (5) venues ranging from Cabaret to full stage theater. We tried Improv which is set on a smaller stage with table seating and service inside the theater - food and drink with full service early and simple drink service after the show began. The first part of the show was terrific- much like the TV show "Whose line is it Anyway?" The second part, a rehearsed script was ok but lacked the energy of the intro. Performances in FST's Court Cabaret, Goldstein Cabaret, and Bowne's Lab, all have in-theatre dining. Dining starts one hour before show time. Our second visit was the the main stage to see the premiere of "America in One Room". This was a two act production with eight actors and a set stage. The dialogue was amazing as was the acting. The ending could use a tweak. Unlike the above theaters, there is no drinking or eating permitted, and masks are required during the entire production. FST's Green Room Cafe & Bar provides indoor and outdoor dining for performances in FST's Gompertz and Keating Theatres. Reservations are required. America in One Room is running 12/8/21 to 2/27/22. https://www.floridastudiotheatre.org/plays And FYI, proof of vaccination or a negative test are required for entry. No exceptions!

I just attended the production of "JERSEY BOYS" JERSEY CONTRACT and it is one of the most impressive shows I have ever seen! IF you think you have seen Jersey Boys before you have not! This production carried a strong story line and perfectly combined the songs of the group! Great staging and choice of actor/singers! i have attended this theatre for many years and this production stands out as one of their BEST!!!

FST has a true old story. A great local Cabaret we saw their production of "Take it to the Limit" a Musical by Jim Prosser, the cast of highly talented musicians made the show exciting. Julian James is the newcomer and was well received. Sarah Hund, did a great job of belting out Janice Joplins "Bobby McGee". What a performance. All in all this cabaret performance is wonderfully. Become a Friend of FST and donate to support the Arts.

A fun evening. Tonight is 'The Jersey Tenors. A decent menu, variety of choices. Beverages are good,wait staff is all very pleasant.Very much worth a stop. Easy on-line ticket purchase. Better yet .Season package.

We purchased our 4 tickets online to reserve our spot. The location was within walking distance from my hotel. Our server Danny was wonderful. He was able to bring our cocktails without interrupting the show. Many people were eating entrée and dessert. I was not aware of the menu, but I did arrive minutes before the show started. My friend was a judge, and I was part of the show. It was such a blast. Ms. Jasmine was my character, and I loved every minute on the stage. The show was amazing, fun, and unpredictable. Kyle, Sarah, and Kevin had me laughing all night. It was the best date night! THANK YALL!!! A+ Job!

I went to see a Stevie Wonder tribute show at the FST last Friday that was wonderful! The cast of 4 musicians were great, but I also just really love Stevie Wonder's music. It was enjoyable to not only hear the music but some facts on his life along the way. The theater, or at least this stage was like a cabaret and you could arrive up to an hour early to sit in your table or booth and order dinner, which is what we did. I got a cup of lobster bisque and the quiche, they were both tasty.

My husband and I have been seeing theatre productions at FST for a few years and we are season subscribers. We have always enjoyed the performances. On Wednesday, February 5, at 8pm we went to see Cancellation of Lauren Fein. The actors were very good, but the subject matter of the play was very offensive to us and we did not appreciate the excessive bad language. We came to be entertained and instead felt we were being preached to about very controversial subjects. This seems very out of the ordinary from our past positive experiences. We left at intermission without hesitation and noticed other audience members chose to do the same thing. I don't know if these types of plays will be part of their "packages" for the future, but if they are we will not be back. On a positive note, Jersey Boys is the next play we have tickets to and we know we will love that play. We have seen it performed a few times in the past.

I have attended productions at FST for the last 35 years. My daughter attending theatre programs at FST for many years. As a family we love the performing arts and seek out opportunities to enjoy performances at home here in Sarasota County and wherever we travel. So it is with sadness that I must express disappointment in the decline in the quality of the live performances we see in recent years at FST. FST touts its tremendous success in expanding its facilities and programs and razing money etc. Unfortunately, it's apparent that with so much emphasis on growth, you took your eye off the ball. Quality productions.

The Improv show "host" as she described herself made a fatal error in her opening "welcome" making fun of people that build walls around their homes. The audience immediately fell very quiet. In Sarasota, many have walls and gates around their homes for legitimate security, privacy and insurance reasons. 30% of the audience left at intermission. I realize people feel the need to express their political and societal opinions but they should not when we invest our hard-earned dollars in performances or shows. It is very unfortunate because people like this and places like this are going to kill the theater and theatrical communities. The Arts are so important to our culture but when people feel entitled to express their personal and political opinions at every turn, they push people away. Very sad as I always support the Arts but not anymore. Please learn to leave your personal and political opinions out of your business (at least the ones that you do not own so you don't hurt people that may not deserve it). Sorry but we are tired of this bullying and attacks. Keep your ignorant opinions to yourself.

Omg these theaters are so cute and great area close to restaurants and bars, great selection of shows there. We go to see improv there then go for dinner.

We saw The Flip Side last night and it was excellent. The story line, the singing and acting were all first class. We highly recommend this to everyone. The food was good as well. We shared the half chicken and the shrimp cocktail. FST is a great value and everyone is so friendly.

What a gem! The cabaret room is so inviting. We saw the show Laughing Matters. It's was hysterical. A must see. If you don't live in Florida some of the skits will be lost on you. The writing is outstanding. So clever and better than SNL. The performers were all very talented and delivered every song and every line perfectly. Go see this show before it ends it's run.

We made a night of it for our 40th Anniversary with a dinner before the show at Florida Studio Theatre. The food was good, service by Ca'Liya was great and the show "My Lord, What a Night" was sold out. Dinner was moderately priced, and good. We shared the potstickers and then some of the best fish and chips we've experienced in the area. The wine was expensive. There are five theatres at FST, dinning for the Keating Theatre was across the street and around the block. My Lord, What A Night. Thanks to the table next to us for the photo

This review is for the Improv show. Went there last night and enjoyed it. It's a bargain at $15 a person. Seats are blocked off and masks are worn. Look it's not Second City, but it was a fun thing to do on a Saturday night. It's great to be fully immunized and feel able to live again! Recommend.

First time visit! Found parking easily and stress free, practically at the front door to the theatre complex. A map at the entrance gave directions to the various theaters. At the front door, the hostess was very friendly. We were seated and immediately ordered from a menu of reasonably priced items. We thoroughly enjoyed wine with a shrimp cocktail and a healthy Greek appetizer platter - especially the Dolmadakia! These logistics to making patrons feel welcome - A+ rating! At showtime, our female singer and her four-piece band entered the small, intimate stage. These entertainers were extremely talented, worked well together, and made excellent connections with the audience. The show was outstanding! The audience was happy. What a perfect night at the Caberet in Sarasota.

We attend a show or cabaret every month! It's never a disappointment. Live theater is one of the top reasons we moved to Sarasota. Staff is pleasant, will call is easy. Tickets are affordable and you aren't paying awful fees to evil Ticketmaster mafia!

I went for the improv show on Saturday night. I was solo and had an awesome time! The food was very average so I'll probably be going out somewhere else next time. This was my first time at this type of show and I can't wait to go back!

We have been twice. Neither time was a good experience. We showed up tonight and presented our pre-purchased tickets for entry. We were told that our seats were taken by a different name. We were seated in different seats only to find that they seated us in the wrong show. Once we realized it was the wrong show, we asked for help to get into the right show but were told that they could not help us. We went on our own to the right theatre but were told that we could not enter until intermission. We asked if we could buy a drink while we waited but they declined. At no point was anyone understanding or polite. How do businesses like this survive?

From their Improv shows to professional cabarets and plays, FST does everything well and provides quality entertainment. They'll even serve you a meal before or after your show. Try it! You'll come back for more. Guaranteed!!

We enjoy this theater so much. Traveling from Orlando to attend various theatrical performances is a treat. My favorite is Improv, but everything we have seen has been wonderful.

Just saw Reel Music. My 6th time seeing a show here in the theater district. From the first note to the last, this was an outstanding performance. I can't say enough about the quality of the voices music choreography script and have to also mention the piano player who kept them going. We saw the early show. Can't be they still have the energy for another show tonight but it just shows you how much they love what they are doing and it shows.

I have seen multiple shows over the past week and also attended a drop in Improv class - seriously it is the best kept secret in Sarasota. I am from NYC & very picky & every show has been top notch - excellent content, performances & value. I am an instant fan & will be attending all shows possible in the future.

Today I saw a WONDERFUL matinee performance of Bright Star. It was my first time in the theatre. My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed the quality of the show and our fantastic view from row B, seats 18 & 19. After the standing ovation, my husband noticed the back of my white sweater was covered with red wine! The person or people drinking behind, did not notice their wine splashed all over me? Or, the person chose not to tell me. I never felt a thing probably because I was wearing layers. I spoke to the assistant manager as the general manager Christine was not available. I was asked what kind of compensation I expected. I asked what options were available, but none were offered. I was told this incident would be documented. Saying sorry this happened and I'll make sure this incident is recorded to management is NOT a satisfactory ending to me. I am very disappointed that such an enjoyable event was unnecessarily ruined. Offering patrons to eat and drink in a theatre is not OK with me. I am against this in principle, not just because this happened to me. Seats will be filled in performance venues without food and drink enticing people to sit through shows. Perhaps the Florida Studio Theatre should review their policies.

Got standby tkts. Full price. At last minute, they stuck us behind stage, behind a pillar, behind sound system. No table even though everyone else had one. Could not see or hear. In two minutes it was obvious this was impossible. We went to box office and they refused to refund telling us "you got seats". I insisted this was unacceptable. "Sir, sir, please leave. Our policy is no refunds." My policy is: don't support this insult to theatre and decency. Truly greedy and gross.

Hand to God This was an amazingly funny performance with a twist. While much of the story was told through a puppet, it's not a performance for children or those uneasy with matters of the flesh. It was all done in good taste and the laughs just kept on coming right up to the last couple minutes. As is true of many of the Stage III performances, the message was just as edgy as the humor. The cast did a great job of holding true to their characters. The lead was a master at making us believe in both himself and his puppet. The rest of the cast was equally effective and funny. We saw a preview of the show that will be opening next week. I look forward to seeing the finished product.

Finding tickets for The Wonder Years: The Music of the Baby Boomers was not easy, but we lucked out and purchased 2 on a Wednesday night! It was such a fun show. There is a dining option here, where you can dine while watching the show. The people we shared a table with said the food is "better than cooking at home" and some plays are better than others, but they have bought season tickets and dined here for years. We enjoyed our visit to the Cabaret!

Went to the Bownes lab comedy freestyle improv on 5/7/2022 I couldn't have been more disappointed and disgusted. I guess I would understand it if I was a liberal that hates God. It was all making fun of God and the Bible. The humor was absolutely stupid. We made it through half the show and we were done. Absolutely sucked would NOT recommend

My friend and her family just went here last night and the customer service was so horrible it's unbelievable. The waitress told the family to hurry up and order, she didn't have time for them, and when someone commented she told her to shut up!! This is not a place i will ever recommend to anyone no matter how great the show is.

First time at improv. Waiting for it to start. Good food. People say show is great. This was our first improv. And the last. For us it was terrible we walked out. Boring group of "actors". They were not the least bit appealing.

Truly unique venue. There are four or five theaters on the campus, I've seen shows in two of them. Improv takes place in a cabaret style theater. Dinner was fantastic. Prices are very reasonable. At the back of the room (balcony and lower level) there are seats that face away from the stage. However, during the performance, you are more than welcome to turn the seat around (and scooch forward if you're upstairs) so you can see. I saw some people get a bit confused when they arrived at their seat if it was at the back, I'm not sure how ticket purchasing goes but it must not be clear on the website what the seating arrangement looks like. That being said, there's really not a bad seat in the room, so don't be alarmed in you find yourself sitting in the back. I also saw a play in one of the more traditional theaters, same thing, no bad seats. The venue was very clean. Staff were exceptionally friendly. Ticket prices were lower than I expected, and I would have paid more for the quality of the experience. FST would be a great date night, especially the improv show. Note on parking: limited on site, but there is a parking garage easily within walking distance (takes credit cards).

A really nice intimate cabaret theater in downtown Sarasota. I enjoyed a nice production of Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves, from three strong vocalists. Seating is at tables on two levels and a full menu is available. There are about 10 limited view seats on the 2nd level, but ushers encourage those people to pull their seats forward during the performance and your sight lines are excellent. There is no service during the performance which is nice. An excellent evening.

I LOVE this theater. Atmosphere is so much FUN! We didn't get a chance to check out the Green Room, but will one day soon Clever Little Lies! Great stage, beautiful theater!!! Play was well done by all! All of the characters are right on!

Had appetizers at Bowe's Lab for the Improv Show. Brie and the Mediterranean sampler . Food came out quickly so to suggest it is premade perhaps. Silverware is always nice but had to ask for that a few times. That was a bit disappointing. Food looks good as I write this but still no silverware. High tops in the back on the side of the mezzanine. do not allow view of the stage but they allow you to move the chairs. Once food is delivered the staff does not come back to check on how you are doing. Update : as the show stars at 730, it is now 735 and I walked into the server area to get our silverware. Improv group

Just bought tickets to JukeboxSaturday Night in Sarasota. I was very disappointed to find out that in order to attend we will have to show a negative COVID test or proof of vaccination which is illegal in Florida. We will not be using tickets and they won't refund our money.

Love this place! My first improv classes were taken at this theater. The instructors are simply amazing, and passionate about their craft. The shows are high quality! I only have good memories of this place, and only stopped attending because I moved out of state. Just thinking of this theater puts a smile on my face.

Too bad a nice place customer policy is backwards. Don't buy tickets for any shows here. If they cancel a show good luck getting a credit back on your credit card. They sell tickets for a show in a couple of days, they cancel that show and instead of being trouble free to the paid customer and automatically refunding them on a credit card they think they are entitled to keep your $ and if you never bother them they just keep it. They think you are obligated to see the show and want to reschedule it for you. Even call and ask for a refund on the card and box office cant help will have a manager call you back. Then speak to a manager thats rude speaking over you insisting that you must see the show. I quote "I would hate for you to miss the show". As I asked for a refund 6 times she states I should watch how I am speaking to her or she will hang up. This process is horrible. FST cancels a show and all customers show receive a refund automatically without doing anything. Its my choice if I want to see a show and when I may want to do so. Not FST choice to hold unearned $ from many people to insist you must reschedule to see the show. I don't even live in FL at this time and I don't need to explain why I want a refund. I shouldn't have to be calling to get refunded when they cancel their own show. If I never show up again they just keep the $. Very nice of them. Collect $ provide no service due to them canceling services and don't automatically provide customer credits when they have all credit card info ability to do so without interaction from the card holder. Now I wait to get the refund. Seems like a scam

Very nice venue. We went to see 'The 70s: More than a Decade. Unfortunately, as is so prevalent in theater (as in Hollywood) they know how to take a great thing and degrade it. The performers were good, the music was good, and the mini-lectures and slides in between were IDEOLOGY from a cheap woke textbook. So sad. You go for a great time, and they cram identity politics down your throat. I love the arts, I love live theater, and want to support it. But I won't support this kind of corrosion. There's a difference between bringing in some balanced and fair criticism about America and taking a dump on it. Did I come to get talked down to with distorted didactics, or to enjoy some great music? This is a virus that infests everything it touches - and unfortunately, it touched this show. Tragically, this pattern even in Florida is the rule rather than the exception with live shows like this. Caveat emptor!