The Hermitage Artist Retreat today announced a new program, “Script & Song: A Beachfront Evening of Theater and Music” on the Hermitage Beach, featuring multiple Grammy Award-nominated singer-songwriter Sam Beam and celebrated Broadway playwright Lindsey Ferrentino. On Monday, June 22ndat 6:30pm, Beam and Ferrentino will offer insight into their individual artistic practices and share original work and music from their impressive careers, while discussing the nuances of collaborating across mediums. This program will take place just before sunset on the Hermitage Beach.
Iron & Wine is the five-time Grammy Award nominated musical project of Hermitage Fellow and singer-songwriter Sam Beam. Born and raised in South Carolina, Beam is a former film professor who got his start making home recordings before landing on Sub Pop Records. Iron & Wine’s 2002 debut, The Creek Drank the Cradle, garnered both critical and popular acclaim, vaulting Beam into the spotlight of the burgeoning indie folk/Americana scene as one of its new and leading voices. For over twenty years, Iron & Wine has captured the emotion and imagination of listeners with distinctly cinematic songs. His recorded output includes seven full length studio records, collaborations with Calexico, Ben Bridwell of Band of Horses, and Jesca Hoop. Beam has released countless EP’s, singles, compilations, soundtracks, and a live concert documentary.
Hermitage Fellow Lindsey Ferrentino is a celebrated playwright, screenwriter, and director who returned to Broadway this spring with her second show of the season: The Fear of 13, currently running and starring two-time Academy Award winner Adrien Brody. She previously made her Broadway debut as the bookwriter for The Queen of Versailles, starring Kristin Chenoweth. Her work includes the Olivier Award-nominated Best New Play, The Fear of 13 (Donmar Warehouse, London); Ugly Lies the Bone (Roundabout Theatre, New York; National Theatre, London); and Amy and the Orphans (also Roundabout). Ferrentino is currently writing and directing the film adaptation of her celebrated play Amy and the Orphans. She is also adapting Rebecca Yarros’ beloved novel In the Likely Event for Netflix and has been included in Variety‘s 2025 “Broadway Stars to Watch.”
“We are excited to welcome audiences back to the Hermitage Beach for what promises to be a memorable evening with the talents of Sam Beam and Lindsey Ferrentino,” said Hermitage Artistic Director and CEO Andy Sandberg. “This iconic beachfront remains an unparalleled venue to introduce our community to some of the world’s leading artists, and we are thrilled to have Sam and Lindsey sharing their work and insight with our Hermitage audience.”
Powerhouses in their respective fields, these two decorated artists are at the top of their game in the worlds of contemporary folk music and contemporary theater. Flood Magazine notes that Beam’s latest album, Hen’s Teeth, “hums through the speakers like a quiet, sudden revelation.” Ferrentino’s first major New York production, Ugly Lies the Bone, was a New York Times Critic’s Pick in 2015 before transferring to the National Theater in London and has been produced in over 100 productions across the world. Since then, she has had several hits in both the United States and abroad, writing with what Variety calls “a moral conscience second to none among her generation of playwrights.” In this Hermitage Beach program, Beam and Ferrentino will offer insight into their individual artistic practices and share original work and music from their impressive careers, while discussing the nuances of collaborating across mediums on Monday, June 22 at 6:30pm on the Hermitage Beach on Manasota Key.
Hermitage programs are free and open to the public (with a $5/person registration fee), offering Gulf Coast audiences a rare chance to engage and interact with some of the world’s leading talent. Running time for most Hermitage programs is 60-70 minutes. Due to capacity limitations, registration is required at HermitageArtistRetreat.org.