William Selby, Marcel Werder and Chris Richie JOHN JONES / COURTESY PHOTOS
It’s the good, the bad and the funny.
So, Clint Eastwood isn’t invited. His steely-eyed squint might transform into a chortle. Perhaps even a guffaw — at least, with this troupe’s satirical tastes.
Florida Studio Theatre’s “The Flip Side” brings all the laughs. It’s downtown Sarasota’s boisterous cabaret show that launched in 1996 — and has become one of the theater’s most popular artistic endeavors, generating new audiences along with fresh artistic prospects.
Catherine Randazzo, FST’s director, appreciates all the ironic comedy of it.
“I love the material, the wry humor, and the ability to laugh at yourself and one another,” she said, adding that we all need something to make us giggle.
Especially in today’s world, with so much darkness and uncertainty, we need it, the director added.
“Why not laugh at life occasionally? … It sure releases the pressure,” Randazzo said.
She mentioned that “The Flip Side” has been one of her favorite directing experiences.
Marcel Werder, Chris Richie and William Selby
She will celebrate her 10th year as associate artist and literary manager in June.
Starting out as a local artist with FST — in new play development and as a performer in cabaret festivals — Randazzo eventually transitioned into directing around 2006.
“I found that the artistic process is full circle from starting as a performer, to then a drama teacher, and now working on producing and directing,” she said.
“The Flip Side” has stirred some intriguing reactions, according to Randazzo.
But audiences change, their tastes change, their understanding of the world changes — and that creates an array of unique experiences and reactions to the material, she explained.
FST’s cabaret has created more than 40 original music vaudevilles, covering a wide range of popular musical genres.
The beloved witty tunes and clever lyrics celebrate lyric poets of today, depicting inspiration from Gershwin to Billy Joel, and also include social and political satire inspired works.
The show’s setting includes a relaxed Parisian-style dinner theater and six cabaret productions each year.
“Life is short, and I find that entertaining moments at FST’s cabaret can make your joy last,” Randazzo said.
She looks at life from different angles through the brilliant lyrics of Tom Lehrer, Jerry Reed, Randy Newman and Shel Silverstein, and the actors are magnificent in their portrayal of the material, she said.
But what process does Randazzo use to put together such a rollicking, rambunctious show?
“It starts with Richard and Rebecca developing the cabarets, songs, set lists, medleys and dialogue that tells a story and suits the performers. I listen in on sing-through sessions and start prepping for the rehearsal process. Understanding the mood and tone, how the songs fit into the narrative and who sings what, consider what verses of the songs are sung, how are they interpreted for the cabaret stage … make it theatrical and active, find the emotional highs and lows — and put it all together for one entertaining evening of theatrical song and storytelling.”
For the winter season, Randazzo said, they look at various angles to expand their understanding of music history and how the songs and lyrics of the past influence the way we think today.
“We look for the music that anchors our audience: special songs that they grew up listening to, a way for them to reflect on their past while seeing the future of music and lyrics for their children and grandchildren.”
This year, the director explained, they paid tribute to the musical history of the song factory known as the Brill Building or the Brill Sound — the subgenre of pop music that took its name from the Brill Building in New York City, where several teams of professional songwriters authored material for girl groups and teen idols during the early 1960s.
Then, Randazzo added, they took the audience on a journey through Southern rock with a sound of Americana music and how it was created by the trailblazers of the ’70s.
“That last show takes all of life’s journeys and flips it on its head,” Randazzo joked.
The summer cabaret season will comprise shows that are themed. The lineup includes “Rhinestone Cowgirls,” “The Songs of Laurel Canyon” and “The Four C Notes.”
“Come have fun,” Randazzo said. “Leave the day’s worries behind you, have a nibble or a drink and let yourself go.” ¦
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