Sarasota News Events
Florida Studio Theatre (FST) is proud to produce Don’t Dress for Dinner, a rapid-fire farce filled with mistaken identities, romantic chaos, and high-stakes hilarity. Written by Marc Camoletti and adapted by Robin Hawdon, this comedy begins previews Aug. 6, opens Aug. 8, and runs through Aug. 24 in FST’s Gompertz Theatre.
Hailed as “hilarious,” “uproarious,” and “gut-busting” by Entertainment Weekly and “guaranteed comedic chaos” by Broadway World, Don’t Dress for Dinner begins with a perfect plan gone hilariously awry. Bernard has arranged a secret weekend with his mistress while his wife is away – complete with gourmet catering and a foolproof alibi provided by his best friend, Robert. But when Bernard’s wife learns Robert is coming to visit, she decides to stick around for some mischief of her own. Before long, the plan unravels into a storm of surprise romances, double-crosses, and unexpected twists.
“This play is pure, fast-paced fun,” said Nancy Rominger, the show’s director and FST’s Associate Artist in charge of New Play Development. “The characters are clever, the setups are absurd, and the unraveling is deliciously satisfying. It’s the perfect way to end a joyful summer season – with a comedy that keeps the audience laughing right up to the final bow.”
During an impressive 12-season tenure at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Rominger and her peers developed 42 new American plays and musicals, with many achieving successful runs at regional theatres nationwide. She most recently directed Shedding a Skin for FST’s Stage III series.
Appearing in this riotous production are Jack Berenholtz* (FST debut) as Robert, Gil Brady* (The Outsider, Pictures from Home, Shear Madness, The Play That Goes Wrong, Outside Mullingar) as Bernard, Katharine McLeod* (FST debut) as Jacqueline, Lily Kren* (FST debut) as Suzanne, Ellen Grace Diehl* (FST debut) as Suzette, and Will Harrel* (FST debut) as George.
The production team includes Nancy Rominger (Director), Brianna McVaugh (Fight Choreographer), Axis Studios Design (Scenic Design), Kathleen Geldard (Costume Design), Andrew Gray (Lighting Design), Nicholas Christensen (Sound Design), Shira Lebovich* (AEA Stage Manager), and Colby Dickson (Stage Management Intern).
*Indicates members of the Actors’ Equity Association (AEA), the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
Experience the fast-paced fun of Don’t Dress for Dinner, playing from August 6 to August 24, 2025. Single tickets start at $25. Don’t wait – now is the perfect time to renew your subscription for the 2026 Summer Mainstage Series, where subscribers can see three Mainstage shows for as little as $59. Subscriptions and single tickets are available at FloridaStudioTheatre.org or by calling (941) 366-9000.
Sponsors
FST’s production of Don’t Dress for Dinner is sponsored in part by Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Sarasota County Tourist Development Tax, The Shubert Foundation, Sarasota Magazine, 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.
