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! read more

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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!!! read more

Great vibe. Some very talented people entertain here. Food and drink are excellent. Quite happy each time we come. read more

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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. read more

Florida Studio Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

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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! read more

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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. read more

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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! read more

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

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

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. read more

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! read more

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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. read more

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. read more

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! read more

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!!! read more

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! read more

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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. read more

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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. read more

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. read more

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 read more

Florida Studio Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

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. read more

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. read more

Florida Studio Theatre - Main stage - Performing Arts Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

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. read more

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. read more

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. read more

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. read more

Florida Studio Theatre - Mediterranean appetizer - hummus, couscous salad, and stuffed grape leaves, plus more. Delicious! - Performing Arts Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

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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! read more

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! read more

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? read more

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. read more

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. read more

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!! read more

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. read more

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. read more

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. read more

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! read more

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. read more

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. read more

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). read more