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Sarasota News Leader July 19, 2013 Page 93 FST TO OPEN SOUTH BEACH BABYLON ON JULY 26 FST will open its third show of the summer season, South Beach Babylon, on July 26 in the Keating Theatre, FST has announced. Written by one of south Florida's most celebrated playwrights, Michael McKeever, "this play tells the story of Jonas Blodgen who is fresh out of art school … and ideas," a press release says. "When he lands a job in South Beach, he is thrown into a world full of intense artists, alluring models and cutthroat curators," the release adds. "I am thrilled to have another one of my plays produced at Florida Studio Theatre," says McKeever in the release. "I have been fortunate enough to see my work produced at theaters around the world — and Florida Studio is one of the very best. The work that this theater produces is consistently top-notch. I can't wait to see what Artistic Director Richard Hopkins, Director Kate Alexander and their amazing cast and design crew come up with for South Beach Babylon." McKeever has had two other plays produced at FST, 37 Postcards in 1999 and The Miamians in 2008, the release notes. Hopkins praises McKeever's artistry, saying in the release, "Michael McKeever is a good and trusted friend of FST. His plays have been tremendously successful here in past seasons … He is without a doubt Florida's favorite playwright in residence, and South Beach Babylon captures the style, fun and sexiness of Miami as no other play can. South Beach Babylon is an exciting adventure — a new play with a fresh look at south Florida and her variety of wacky characters." (From left) Roger Clark, Priscilla Fernandez, Jeffrey Plunkett, Matthew DeCapua and Larissa Klinger star in South Beach Babylon. Contributed photo by Brian Braun Associate Director, Kate Alexander will direct the production. The cast includes, Jeffrey Plunkett, a returning company member whose previous FST credits include this past winter season's hit play, The Columnist, and previous season's successes: Race and Sylvia, the release continues. Matt DeCapua, who previously performed in McKeever's FST production of The Miamians in 2008, will return to play the main character, Jonas Blodgen. Cindy De La Cruz will make her Mainstage debut in South Beach Babylon, the release points out. "You may recognize De La Cruz from The Frog Prince, Under Six and Seven Up this past year," the release notes: "De La Cruz spent the past nine months with FST's troupe of acting apprentices cultivating and honing her skills as an actress." Tickets for the performances will be on sale through Aug. 18. They may be purchased by phone at 366-9000, online at FloridaStudioTheatre.org or by visiting the box office at 1241 N. Palm Ave. in downtown Sarasota. %