The College of Charleston’s Department of Theatre will present the Stelle di Domani (“stars of tomorrow”) series as part of the Piccolo Spoleto Festival. The six events each feature some connection to the College or the theatre department. For all performances, parental discretion is advised due to content, language and/or subject matter.
Fortune’s Child – A free staged reading of the 2012 Todd McNerney National Playwriting contest runner-up written by Mark Scharf, Dramatist Guild member and MFA from the University of Virginia. “Fortune’s Child” is the bittersweet story of Susan (a woman dying of ovarian cancer), her brother, Mike (a widower still learning to cope), his daughter/her niece, Sarah (a young woman stretching to grow up) and her boyfriend, Brian (a young man of modest ambition) and their learning that “letting go” is the only way to live. The event will be held in the Simons Center’s Theatre 220 (54 St. Philip St.) on May 31 and June 1 at 3 p.m. Tickets are free.
A Boston Marriage – Collective Collaborative Players presents “A Boston Marriage” as only Mamet could imagine it! Featuring College of Charleston Alumae Laura Rikard (VA Film Festival 2011 Best Actress Award), Laine Satterfield (Richmond Theatre Critics Award 2011 Best Actress) and Louise Mittelman. When the impending arrival of a young lover threatens their cohabitation, two cantankerous women of high society find their lives thrust into chaos. Barbing, bartering, and badgering make way for sleuthing, soothsaying, and snake-tongued gibes at the Scottish maid, with her own secret. The comedy will be in the Chapel Theatre (172 Calhoun St.) at the following dates and times: May 31 at 8:30 p.m.; June 1 and 4 at 8 p.m.; June 2 at 8 p.m.; June 3 at 5 p.m.; June 5 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $21 for adults and $13 for seniors and students.
The Elephant in My Closet – From the creators of the award-winning “David Lee Nelson…Status Update” comes a new comedy about the Republican Party and how to come out of the closet to your father…as a Democrat. Perfect for election season! Presented by David Lee Nelson, a College of Charleston alumnus. “Extraordinary,” London Times. “Painfully funny. NOT TO BE MISSED,” Charleston City Paper. This will be held in the Chapel Theatre (172 Calhoun St.) on the following dates and times: May 25, June 8, 9 at 8 p.m.; May 26, 30 at 8:30 p.m.; May 27 at 7 p.m.; May 31, June 2 at 6 p.m.; June 1 at 9:30 p.m.; June 3 at 7:30 p.m.; June 5 at 9 p.m. Tickets are $16.
The House that Jack Built – A free staged reading of the 2012 Todd McNerney National Playwriting contest winner written by James Still, a two-time nominee for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. “The House That Jack Built” is the story of three women from two generations bound by many years and by the memory of Jack – one’s son, another’s brother, and the last’s husband. Surprising, humorous, and touching it brings them together around a very recognizable family gathering – Thanksgiving – where they learn the real things for which to be thankful. This reading will be held in the Simons Center’s Theatre 220 (54 St. Philip St.) on June 6 and 7 at 3 p.m. Tickets are free.
Under The Lights – This event (in its seventh incarnation and a Piccolo favorite) showcases a series of original student written 10-minute plays. College of Charleston’s theatre department has an award-winning history in playwriting and this year’s UTL includes an honorable mention to the KC/ACTF Region IV winner, the Franklin B. Ashley Award winner, and the Todd McNerney Student Award winner and runner-up. Join in an evening of short scripts that reflect the voices and ideas of the next generation of writers. This event will be held in the Chapel Theatre (172 Calhoun St.) on May 28, 29, June 6, 7 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $16 for adults and $13 for students/seniors.
Pink Collar Comedy Tour – The Pink Collar Comedy Tour features four rising stars from all over the country who have been making a splash on the NYC comedy scene. Erin Judge (Comedy Central), Abbi Crutchfield (VH1) and Carrie Gravenson (Catch a Rising Star) join College of Charleston alumnae Kaytlin Bailey to share their adventures in shedding the corporate world for the comedy life. Hang onto your day job and enjoy a night of irreverent hilarity! This event will be held in the Simons Center’s Theatre 220 (54 St. Philip St.) on the follow dates/times: May 30, June 2, 5 at 6 p.m.; May 31, June 3, 6 at 8:30 p.m.; June 1, 7 at 9 p.m.; June 8 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $16.
The Search For Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe – Join Trudy, New York’s favorite bag lady, as she sets out on a joyful, hilarious trip through space and time. Along the way, you’ll meet a dozen characters in an epic quest to uncover the deepest mysteries of the universe. “Head and shoulders above nearly anything that’s appeared on a Charleston stage in recent years,” Charleston City Paper. “Beyond tour-de-force, beyond virtuosic…weepingly funny theatre,” The Post & Courier. This will be held in the Simons Center’s Theatre 220 (54 St. Philip St.) at the following dates and times: May 25 at 8 p.m.; May 26, 30, June 2, 5 at 8:30 p.m.; May 27, 31, June 3, 6 at 6 p.m.; May 28, June 9 at 7:30 p.m.; June 1 at 6:30 p.m.; June 7 at 7 p.m.; June 8 at 9 p.m. Tickets are $21 for adults and $17 for students and seniors.
