ArtistDirect News
Florida Studio Theatre Opens Songbirds of the Seventies Cabaret Tribute to 1970s Women Singer-Songwriters
Florida Studio Theatre’s Court Cabaret has launched a new summer show, “Songbirds of the Seventies: From Woodstock to Soft Rock,” a heartfelt homage to the women who shaped the decade’s popular music. The 70‑minute production, running through September 13, 2026, brings together singer‑songwriters Samantha Duval, Victoria Boland and Madalyn McHugh. Produced by Nancy Allen, who previously staged FST cabarets such as “Rhinestone Cowgirls” (2024) and “Divas Three” (2023), the show charts a musical journey from the folk‑rock of early ’70s to the soft‑rock and pop that defined the mid‑decade.
The program opens with the raw energy of folk‑rock, then eases into the lush textures of soft‑rock and pop. Duval, Boland and McHugh perform a curated selection of classics by Carole King, Stevie Nicks, Janis Joplin, Carly Simon, Linda Ronstadt and others. “We want the audience to relive the music—not just hear it, but remember the car they were driving when they first heard it on the radio,” McHugh told a pre‑show interview. Boland added that the cabaret’s intimacy allows “honest, heartfelt emotion” to resonate, creating an experience that “transcends into their experience.”
Set in the Court Cabaret’s Hegner Wing—a living‑room‑style space that encourages audience participation—the trio often breaks the fourth wall, sharing trivia and personal anecdotes. Duval praised the setting, noting that the “cozy confines of the Court Cabaret” let her hear reactions in real time. “I love being able to talk to the audience and engage with them,” she said.
A surprise highlight is a Bond‑themed interlude that opens act two. McHugh plays a few bars of “Nobody Does It Better,” Duval sings the theme from “The Spy Who Loved Me,” and Boland performs the Sean Connery 007 theme “Diamonds Are Forever.” McHugh described the segment as a “fun” change of pace that “no one really expects us to do it.”
The core of the show showcases the era’s shift from spectacle to introspective storytelling. Each performer brings a personal connection to the material. Boland, who has lived in Nashville for 11 years, described performing Heart’s “Barracuda” as a “controlled rage” reflecting the song’s original record‑label dispute. McHugh, a lifelong Stevie Nicks fan, approached Joplin’s “Me and Bobby McGee” with “hope, excitement, and devastation.” Duval, whose background is in musical theatre, emphasized the emotional resonance of “Landslide.”
The tribute to Carole King’s landmark album “Tapestry” is a highlight. McHugh plays piano for “You’ve Got a Friend,” noting the song’s inspiration from a James Taylor performance. Duval and Boland join her, creating a collaborative moment that echoes the spirit of the era.
Creative director Nancy Allen underscored the importance of celebrating women who wrote their own rules. “These women shared experiences that audiences recognized in their own lives,” Allen said. “That’s why this music has lasted for generations.” The production team includes line producer Catherine Randazzo, lighting designer Kate Landry, sound designer Nicholas Christensen and operator Leigh Womack.
“Songbirds of the Seventies” is part of FST’s three‑show summer cabaret subscription, alongside “Leaving on a Jet Plane: A Folk Journey” and “Legacy: Motown & More!” The series has become a staple of the theatre’s seasonal programming, drawing audiences who appreciate the blend of music, storytelling, and interaction.
Tickets are available through FloridaStudioTheatre.org or by calling 941‑366‑9000. The production continues until September 13, 2026, offering an intimate, engaging setting to experience the legacy of 1970s singer‑songwriters.
The program opens with the raw energy of folk‑rock, then eases into the lush textures of soft‑rock and pop. Duval, Boland and McHugh perform a curated selection of classics by Carole King, Stevie Nicks, Janis Joplin, Carly Simon, Linda Ronstadt and others. “We want the audience to relive the music—not just hear it, but remember the car they were driving when they first heard it on the radio,” McHugh told a pre‑show interview. Boland added that the cabaret’s intimacy allows “honest, heartfelt emotion” to resonate, creating an experience that “transcends into their experience.”
Set in the Court Cabaret’s Hegner Wing—a living‑room‑style space that encourages audience participation—the trio often breaks the fourth wall, sharing trivia and personal anecdotes. Duval praised the setting, noting that the “cozy confines of the Court Cabaret” let her hear reactions in real time. “I love being able to talk to the audience and engage with them,” she said.
A surprise highlight is a Bond‑themed interlude that opens act two. McHugh plays a few bars of “Nobody Does It Better,” Duval sings the theme from “The Spy Who Loved Me,” and Boland performs the Sean Connery 007 theme “Diamonds Are Forever.” McHugh described the segment as a “fun” change of pace that “no one really expects us to do it.”
The core of the show showcases the era’s shift from spectacle to introspective storytelling. Each performer brings a personal connection to the material. Boland, who has lived in Nashville for 11 years, described performing Heart’s “Barracuda” as a “controlled rage” reflecting the song’s original record‑label dispute. McHugh, a lifelong Stevie Nicks fan, approached Joplin’s “Me and Bobby McGee” with “hope, excitement, and devastation.” Duval, whose background is in musical theatre, emphasized the emotional resonance of “Landslide.”
The tribute to Carole King’s landmark album “Tapestry” is a highlight. McHugh plays piano for “You’ve Got a Friend,” noting the song’s inspiration from a James Taylor performance. Duval and Boland join her, creating a collaborative moment that echoes the spirit of the era.
Creative director Nancy Allen underscored the importance of celebrating women who wrote their own rules. “These women shared experiences that audiences recognized in their own lives,” Allen said. “That’s why this music has lasted for generations.” The production team includes line producer Catherine Randazzo, lighting designer Kate Landry, sound designer Nicholas Christensen and operator Leigh Womack.
“Songbirds of the Seventies” is part of FST’s three‑show summer cabaret subscription, alongside “Leaving on a Jet Plane: A Folk Journey” and “Legacy: Motown & More!” The series has become a staple of the theatre’s seasonal programming, drawing audiences who appreciate the blend of music, storytelling, and interaction.
Tickets are available through FloridaStudioTheatre.org or by calling 941‑366‑9000. The production continues until September 13, 2026, offering an intimate, engaging setting to experience the legacy of 1970s singer‑songwriters.