Florida Studio Theatre Presents Songbirds of the Seventies Cabaret Tribute to 1970s Female Singer-Songwriters
When the Sarasota sun dips below the Gulf, the Court Cabaret lights up with a different kind of glow—one that echoes the warm, intimate sound of 1970s female singer‑songwriters. From July 7 to September 13, 2026, Florida Studio Theatre (FST) will host Songbirds of the Seventies: From Woodstock to Soft Rock, a 70‑minute cabaret that celebrates the women who penned and performed the decade’s most enduring tunes.
The production is the brainchild of former actress Nancy Allen, who has already staged two FST cabarets—Rhinestone Cowgirls (2024) and Divas Three (2023). Allen writes, directs, and produces the show, working alongside line producer Catherine Randazzo, lighting designer Kate Landry, sound designer Nicholas Christensen, and sound‑and‑lightboard operator Leigh Womack. Their combined experience ensures that every note, every light cue, and every technical detail honors the period’s authenticity.
Three performers anchor the evening. Singer‑songwriter Samantha Duval, known for her work in Little Shop of Horrors and Divas Three, channels the intimate storytelling that defined 1970s pop. Nashville‑based Victoria Boland, who once performed for Queen Elizabeth II, injects a “quantum of emotion” into tracks like Heart’s “Barracuda” and Janis Joplin’s “Me and Bobby McGee.” New York‑based actor‑musician Madalyn McHugh, whose credits include Three Pianos at FST, delivers the folk‑rock staples of Joni Mitchell and Stevie Nicks. Together, the trio offers a kaleidoscopic view of the decade’s diverse female voices.
The setlist spans Carole King’s “You’ve Got a Friend,” Carly Simon’s “Nobody Does It Better,” Helen Reddy’s “I Am Woman,” Linda Ronstadt’s “Love Is a Woman,” and Stevie Nicks’ “Landslide.” A Bond‑themed interlude, featuring themes from The Spy Who Loved Me and Diamonds Are Forever, nods to the era’s cinematic soundtrack culture. By weaving these familiar tunes with lesser‑known gems, the cabaret paints a portrait of a time when women moved from spectacle to personal storytelling.
A defining feature of the show is its living‑room atmosphere. The performers take the stage in the Court Cabaret’s Hegner Wing, a space designed to foster audience interaction. Production notes explain that the intimacy allows the trio to “feel comfortable to relive those songs” and to share personal anecdotes about the music’s impact on their lives. Keeping the show under 70 minutes preserves the pacing and prevents “over‑running,” ensuring that every moment feels deliberate and engaging.
Songbirds of the Seventies is part of FST’s summer cabaret subscription, which also includes Leaving on a Jet Plane: A Folk Journey and Legacy: Motown & More!. The cabaret positions itself as a celebration of the authenticity that defined 1970s singer‑songwriters—a period when women shifted from the spotlight of spectacle to the intimacy of personal storytelling. By spotlighting the creative process and the emotional truth of each track, the production underscores the lasting influence of these female voices on contemporary artists such as Billie Eilish and Olivia Rodrigo.
Tickets are available through the FST box office (941‑366‑9000) and online at floridastudiotheatre.org. The show will run through September 13, 2026. By offering a concise, intimate tribute that brings the era’s most iconic female voices to life, Songbirds of the Seventies invites Sarasota audiences to rediscover the songwriting craft that shaped a generation of music.
