FST's The Cancellation of Lauren Fein

SARASOTA — On Friday, Florida Studio Theatre opened The Cancellation of Lauren Fein, its latest production in the company's mainstage season.

Lauren Fein is a tenured rock star professor, world-renowned biologist, and potential Nobel Laureate. On the surface, she would seem somewhat immune to cancel culture. Fine is a Jewish lesbian married to a Latina, foster mother to a Black teenage boy, and is researching a cure for sickle cell anemia. All of the proverbial blocks are checked, and she operates with little regard for a quickly shifting paradigm of cultural norms, particularly within academia in the early 2020s.

However, when a single accusation snowballs into an avalanche of complaints, Fein finds herself fighting for both her reputation and career. Miami trial lawyer/Playwright Christopher Demos-Brown, whose American Son played to strong reviews at Florida Studio Theatre in 2020, was commissioned to write the play by Palm Beach Dramaworks, where it debuted in 2024. Like American Son, this play explores power dynamics, race, and cultural question marks but through a lens that seems much more authentic than such topics are often afforded.

FST regular Rachel Moulton gives a strong performance as Lauren Fein and has good chemistry with Tatiana Williams, who is well-cast as Dean Whitney, a close friend of Lauren’s who initially plays down the accusations before seeming to consider whether she can afford to be anything less than vigilant in her investigation.

Howard Kaye steals a number of scenes in his brilliantly caricaturish portrayal of Buddy McGovern, a Southern lawyer and friend of Fein who represents her throughout the school’s internal inquiry. Kevin Loreque also stands out as a gay professor friend of Lauren’s. Ana Miramontes as Lauren’s wife, Paola, Luke Brodersen as their foster son, Dylan, Freddie Lee Bennett as Chikezie, Amy Bodnar as the University lawyer, and Simone Stadler as the initial complainant, Zoe, round out a stellar cast.

Directed by Richard Hopkins, The Cancellation of Lauren Fine runs through March 15 in the Gompertz Theatre. Visit the FST website for more information.

Dennis "Mitch" Maley is a novelist, as well as an editor and opinion columnist for The Bradenton Times. In addition to his regular Sunday column, he hosts our weekly podcast and does travel features, as well as theater, restaurant, and wine reviews. He is a graduate of Shippensburg University and later served as a Captain in the U.S. Army. Click here for his bio. His books are available here.