January is jam packed with live theater performances

Image by Flickr user rbglasson

Charleston stages are bustling with activity this month, so here's a quick rundown of all the live theatrical performances that you can shake a stick at this month.

Midtown/Sheri Grace Productions:

The Shadow Box

Michael Cristofer's timeless drama exploring the psychological effects of impending death remains relevant to this day. The Shadow Box revolves around a tryptich of terminally ill patients who live in separate cottages at a hospice. Each is being interviewed about their experience in the process of dying. The play brilliantly circles around the interactions of the characters and how they are affected by the ever present idea of death. Directed by local actor Jan Gilbert, the cast includes a full roster of local talent including Terry Terranova, Ryan Ahlert, Andrea K. McGinn, Linda Esposito, Christian Self, Sam Book, Samille Basler, Krissy McKown and Tom Michael as the interviewer.

Jan. 14-16, 21-23, 28-30 at 8p.m.; Jan. 24 at 3p.m.
Admission is $12/Adult/General; $10/Senior (65+) & Student (w/ ID)
The Charleston Acting Studio, 915 Folly Rd.

Village Playhouse:

Souvenir

You'll fall in love with the "Tone-deaf Diva" in this uproarious and musical true story of Florence Foster-Jenkins, a New York socialite whose tin ear couldn't keep her off the stage at Carnegie Hall. As seen through the eyes of her beloved accompanist, Souvenir is a touching and comic tribute to Ms. Jenkins' sincerity, ambition, deep love of music and complete lack of talent, all of which brought a very unique joy to thousands.

$25/Adult; $23/Senior; $20/Student
Jan. 8-9, 15-16 & 22-23 at 8p.m.; Jan. 14 at 7:30p.m.; Jan. 17 at 3p.m.
730 Coleman Blvd., Ste. C, Mt. Pleasant. Charleston Stage:

Steel Magnolias:

Six Southern Ladies Go To The Beauty Parlor, Need We Say More? Still one of the most produced comedies in America, Steel Magnolias continues to have audiences laughing in the aisles year after year. Join M'lynn, Annelle, Ouiser, and Clairee as they once again head down to Truvie's beauty parlor to get spiffed up for Shelby's wedding. Written by Robert Harding; Directed by Kyle Barnette.

$15-30 Adults; $15-28 Seniors (60+); $15 Students
Jan. 13-16, 21-23 at 7:30p.m.; Jan. 17 & 24 at 3p.m.
Sottile Theatre, 44 George St., College of Charleston

College of Charleston Theater Department:

One Flea Spare

This play, set in 1665 while London is being ravaged by the bubonic plague, borrows its title from a John Donne poem and is written by contemporary playwright Naomi Wallace, a recipient of a MacArthur Foundation Genius grant. It centers around an upper-class merchant and his wife, the owners and the only residents of a home where the plague has taken lives, who are about to be released from a month-long quarantine period. Suddenly, two unexpected and unwelcome visitors, a young girl, Morse, and a sailor, Bunce, burst into their lives. These lower class additions, (as they all co-mingle like the blood in Donne's flea) prove volatile to a household already diseased with the festering sores of anger and frustration, lust and pain. As the social hierarchy collapses and sexual inhibitions are loosened, these "prisoners" wait for death to either strike them down or pass them by. Directed by Anna Andes.

$15/General; $10/CofC Student/Faculty/Staff/Senior
Jan. 13-16 & 19-23 at 8p.m.; Jan. 17 & 24 at 3p.m.
Chapel Theatre, 172 Calhoun St.

Flowerton Players:

Whodunnit?

Whodunnit is a comedy/mystery and almost a play-within-a-play as the first act follows the traditional conventions of a country house mystery with an assortment of suspects, but in the second act no one is truly what they seem.

Jan. 22-23, 28-30, Feb. 4-6 at 8p.m.; Jan. 31 & Feb. 7 at 2p.m.
Admission is $20/Adults; $17/Seniors; $15/Students

Footlight Players:

The Miracle Worker

Winner of the 1960 Tony Award for Best Play, The Miracle Worker explores the true story of Annie Sullivan and Helen Keller, the essence of dignity, hope, possibilities, and what people can reach for and accomplish under the most adverse of conditions. This timeless story has captured the hearts of people for over 50 years and is simply described as "magnificent theatre." Recommended age: 6+. Enjoy this unforgettable and inspiring true story with the entire family.

Jan. 22-23, 28-30 and Feb. 4-6 at 8p.m.; Jan. 31 and Feb. 7 at 3p.m.
Admission is $25/adults; $22/seniors; $15/students, $12/children under 10 years-old
The Footlight Players, 20 Queen St.

Pure Theatre:

Yankee Tavern

From the playwright of More Fun Than Bowling, Ten November, The Last of the Boys, Honus and Me and Sherlock Holmes, comes a new play filled with mystery, conspiracy and thrills. Set in a crumbling tavern in New York City, a young man is saddled with questions about his father's best friend, their mysterious past, and a stranger who knows much more than he should. In an instant, outlandish hypotheses become dangerous realities as surprising revelations continue to emerge in this eye-opening look at our government and the theories behind the events that have shaped our country.

Jan. 22-23, 27-30, Feb. 3-6 & 10-13 at 7:30p.m.; Jan. 31 at 2p.m.
Admission is $25
150 Meeting St. (on the grounds of the Circular Congregational Church)

The Charleston Youth Company, Inc.:

Broadway at Its Best!

See the amazing company of selected performers from the Greater Charleston area present musical selections from the Broadway versions of The Lion King (Junior Company), Mary Poppins and Little Mermaid (Senior Company). It's an evening the whole family will enjoy!

Jan. 29 & 30 at 7:30p.m.
College of Charleston's Sottile Theatre, 44 George St.
Admission is $15

You can find even more on the Charleston performing arts scene at the Charleston Arts, S.C. page.

 

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