One Hit Wonders: The Songs That Refused to Behave

Florida Studio Theatre’s Cabaret Throws a Glitter Bomb of Nostalgia

There’s something deliciously rebellious about a one-hit wonder.

It’s the pop equivalent of showing up to a black-tie gala in sequins and sneakers — unexpected, unapologetic, unforgettable. And at Florida Studio Theatre’s Cabaret, One Hit Wonders is less a concert and more a full-throttle joyride through the songs that burned bright, blazed through the charts, and then politely (or dramatically) exited stage left.

But here’s the twist: those songs never really left.

FST has built a reputation for its Cabaret series — intimate, immersive, and dangerously fun — and this latest musical romp leans into that signature style. You’re not just watching a show; you’re in it. The tables are close. The performers are closer. The energy? Practically caffeinated.

The premise is simple and brilliant: celebrate the artists who gave us that one song — the earworm, the instant classic, the one-hit anthem that refuses to behave itself. And making that celebration unforgettable is the vivacious and talented cast:

• Michael James Byrne — a New York and California-based actor, singer, and director, returning to FST after hits like 70’s: More Than a Decade and The Wanderers.
• Katelyn Bowman — back for her third FST cabaret outing after memorable turns in Off the Charts and Little Shop of Horrors.
• Jessie Carina Lanza — making her FST debut with infectious charisma and a Broadway-flavored résumé that includes Evita and So Happy Together.
• Lorenzo Pugliese — also new to FST, bringing his showcase-ready chops from national tours like The Cher Show and The SpongeBob Musical.

This delightful quartet brings powerhouse vocals and razor-sharp comedic timing. One minute they’re belting a soaring ballad that once ruled the airwaves; the next they’re playfully acknowledging just how dramatic (or gloriously over-the-top) some of those lyrics really were. It’s affectionate satire at its best — loving the tunes while laughing with them.

What makes One Hit Wonders especially clever is how it balances nostalgia with fresh performance flair. These songs — whether you hummed them in high school hallways or discovered them on a road trip playlist — are time capsules that catapult you back with just a few notes. And with Michael, Katelyn, Jessie, and Lorenzo onstage, each number feels like a personal throwback party you didn’t know you needed.

“Florida Studio Theatre’s Cabaret doesn’t just revive these hits — it struts them back onto the stage in heels and says, ‘You missed me, didn’t you?’”

The creative team is also top-notch: Director and Costume Designer Catherine Randazzo leads the vision with flair, Nathaniel Beliveau keeps musical spirits high as Music Director, and Ben Liebert’s choreography adds playful muscle to every number. Scenic, lighting, and sound design by Andrew Gray and Nicholas Christensen round out a production that’s as polished as it is joyful.

And let’s talk about the audience vibe.

FST Cabaret isn’t a passive listening experience — it’s social theatre. There’s something electric about a room full of adults, cocktails in hand and shoulders loose, singing along, tapping toes, and lighting up when the beat drops on that one recognizable chorus. It’s communal nostalgia. It’s group therapy with better lighting.

One-hit wonders often get treated like trivia questions. But here, they get the love they deserve. Sure, some artists may have only soared once, but if one song becomes immortal enough that a room full of people instantly recognize it… that’s not a fluke — that’s cultural lightning.

By the final number, the energy is less “tribute night” and more “party where everyone knows the lyrics.” The performers at FST don’t just revisit the music — they reanimate it with charm, humor, and relentless heart.

If you’ve ever found yourself yelling “Wait… whatever happened to them?” while scrolling your playlist, this cabaret has your answer: they happened right here. And they’re still fabulous.

So go ready to sing, ready to laugh, and ready to let those three-minute masterpieces crash your brain in the best way possible. Because at Florida Studio Theatre’s One Hit Wonders, once truly is enough to make magic.

https://www.floridastudiotheatre.org