The Hermitage Artist Retreat is rolling out a new event, “Script & Song: A Beachfront Evening of Theater and Music,” on Hermitage Beach. This one’s got some serious star power: Sam Beam (you probably know him as Iron & Wine, the five-time Grammy nominee) and Lindsey Ferrentino, a Broadway playwright making big waves in both theater and film. The program falls on Monday, June 22, at 6:30 p.m., right before sunset. Beam and Ferrentino come together to talk about their own creative processes, perform original pieces, and dig into how artists collaborate across different genres.
Sam Beam’s story started back in South Carolina, where he was a film professor messing around with homemade recordings. He caught the attention of Sub Pop Records, and soon Iron & Wine hit the scene with “The Creek Drank the Cradle” in 2002. That debut didn’t just impress critics; it captured a big audience, launching Beam as a leader in indie folk and Americana. For over two decades, his music, full of vivid snapshots and emotional depth, has drawn listeners in. The Iron & Wine catalog is impressive, featuring seven studio albums, collaborations with Calexico, Ben Bridwell (Band of Horses), Jesca Hoop, and a seemingly endless stream of EPs, singles, compilations, soundtracks, and even a live concert documentary.
Lindsey Ferrentino has made her mark in theater and film. She just bounced back to Broadway with “The Fear of 13,” starring Adrien Brody, her second Broadway show this season. She originally made her Broadway debut as the book writer for “The Queen of Versailles” with Kristin Chenoweth. Ferrentino packs her résumé with standout plays; “The Fear of 13” (Olivier Award-nominated in London), “Ugly Lies the Bone” (a New York Times Critic’s Pick that traveled to London’s National Theatre), and “Amy and the Orphans” (Roundabout). She’s currently adapting “Amy and the Orphans” for film and bringing Rebecca Yarros’ “In the Likely Event” to Netflix. Variety named her among their “Broadway Stars to Watch” for 2025.
“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.”
Both Beam and Ferrentino are absolutely at the peak of their fields. Flood Magazine calls Beam’s latest album, “Hen’s Teeth,” “a quiet, sudden revelation.” Ferrentino’s “Ugly Lies the Bone” was a hit with critics and audiences alike, racking up over a hundred productions worldwide. Variety points out her “moral conscience second to none among her generation of playwrights.” On June 22, the audience gets to delve into both artists’ creative worlds and see how theater and music connect on Hermitage Beach, Manasota Key.
Hermitage programs welcome everyone, with just a $5 registration fee per person. Gulf Coast audiences get rare access to top talent, and the events usually last about an hour. Spots are limited, so head over to HermitageArtistRetreat.org to save your seat.
