Season 45 April Newsletter

Julian Wiles, Founder and Producing Artistic Director Marybeth Clark, Artistic Director Designee

BACKSTAGE April 2023

South Carolina’s Largest Professional Theatre Company • In Residence at the Historic Dock Street Theatre

The Olivier and Tony Award-winning, Calypso-flavored Musical, Once On This Island, Opens at the Historic Dock Street Theatre This April!

Exclusive Lead Title Sponsor: The Albert Sottile Foundation, Georgia Homer Darby and Mary Ellen Long Way, Trustees collaborative ensemble actors. Rounding out the cast are child actors Brooklyn Williams and Gianna Gavins sharing the role of Little Ti Moune.

Charleston Stage’s Once On This Island features the direction of Guest Director Crystin Gilmore, a former Charleston Stage Resident Actor and Equity Actor last seen on the Dock Street Theatre stage as Pearl in Black Pearl Sings! Audiences may also remember Crystin in the role of Mrs. Ruby Cornwell in The Seat of Justice. “Once On This Island has enriched my life in so many ways,” states Gilmore.

“My hope is that the cast and the audience members leave this production feeling inspired to give the love they desire freely and unconditionally. Our version of Once On This Island will hopefully remind people that what they have in life is enough and that desiring what other people have is a waste of time. There is only one you and your life is sufficiently beautiful, individual and unique.”

Featured: (Left to Right) Charleston Stage Resident Actors Jhonika Wright as Ti Moune, K’nique Eichelberger as Daniel, and Facia Lee as Ti Moune in Once On This Island

Performances Run April 12 - April 30, 2023 (Charleston, SC) Set in the colorful, warm world of the Antilles with a musical score and romantic tale to match, Once On This Island is a fitting celebration for Charleston Stage’s 45th Anniversary Season finale.

When Ti Moune, a young peasant with a heart as big as the open ocean, falls in love with Daniel, a well-intentioned Beauxhomme with secrets of his own, she pleads with the gods to help them no matter the cost. Themes of the power of community and the burdens of class division are explored in this story that

is simultaneously heart-wrenching and soul-lifting. This classic star-crossed lovers plot is ignited by the bright Calypso score that colors the show from curtain up to the final bow, further enhanced by the Haitian-inspired set and costume design.

Truly, Once On This Island is a feast for the eyes and ears.

This magnetic cast features Resident Actor Brietta Goodman (A Christmas Carol - The Ghost of Christmas Present) as Asaka, the belting and humorous goddess of the earth, and Resident Actors Facia Lee (The Play That Goes Wrong - Sandra/ Florence Colleymore) and Jhonika Wright (A Christmas Carol - Mrs. Cratchit) rotating the roles of Ti Moune, the lovely heroine,

and Erzulie, the kind goddess of love.

Also featured is Resident Actor K’nique Eichelberger (JFK and Inga Binga - Freddy) as Daniel, Ti Moune’s wealthy but conflicted love interest. Joining them are local actors Dakare Chatman as villain Papa Ge, Elisha Black as Agwe, the god of water, Clyde Moser as Armond Beauxhomme, Ariana Snowden as Andrea Devereax, Anthony McCutchen as Ti Moune’s adoptive father Tonton Julian, and Acting Ensemble Member Letty Richey as Mama Euralie, Ti Moune’s adoptive mother. Acting Ensemble Member Jah’Mar Coakley leads local actors Michelle Burgess, Frederick Webb Jr, Latanya Mueller, Jordan LeeAnn, Jason Marion, Baron Clay, Imani Lloyd, Ronnie Walker II, and Kaitlyn Pinckney as the Storyteller

Joining Crystin on the artistic team are Music Director Sam Henderson, Guest Choreographer Steven Prince Tate, Acting Foundations Coach Sydney Laribo, Guest Scenic Designer Seth Howard, Costume Designer Courtni Riddick, Props Designer Aline Toloto, Lighting Designer Caleb S. Garner, Sound Designer Luke Walchuk, and Stage Manager Ravyn T. Meador. Once On This Island features a book and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, music by Stephen Flaherty, and is based on the novel “My Love, My Love” by Rosa Guy.

A Behind the Scenes Look at Once On This Island — INSIDE ON PAGES 2 AND 3

ONCE ON THIS ISLAND Dates: April 12 - April 30, 2023 Prices: $36.50 - $85.50 Order by Phone:

(843) 577-7183 (Tue-Fri 1pm-5pm)

Order Online:

CharlestonStage.com

Group Rates: Call Erika Greco at (843) 647-7365 for details.

INSIDE 2 New Leadership Team 2 Meet Crystin Gilmore, Guest Director of Once On This Island

3 Meet Courtni Riddick,

Costume Designer of Once On This Island

3 Meet Seth Howard, Guest

Scenic Designer of Once On This Island

3 Meet Steven Prince Tate,

Guest Choreographer of Once On This Island

4 2023-24 Season 4 45th Anniversary Celebration

Julian Wiles, Founder and Producing Artistic Director Marybeth Clark, Artistic Director Designee

(843) 577-7183 • CharlestonStage.com PO Box 356 • Charleston, SC 29402 Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 283 Charleston, SC

Latest NEWS

PAGE 2 Director HIGHLIGHT

Featured: Crystin Gilmore, Guest Director

Meet Crystin Gilmore, Guest Director of Once On This Island

Featured: Marybeth Clark and Frank Mack

CHARLESTON STAGE UNVEILS DYNAMIC NEW LEADERSHIP TEAM We’re happy to announce our upcoming senior leadership changes that will take place at the close of our 45th Anniversary Season which concludes on May 1st.

Janet Fiorenza, President of Charleston Stage’s Board of Trustees announced that Marybeth Clark will become Artistic Director and Frank Mack will become the company’s first Managing Director beginning May 1st. On that date, Founder and Producing Artistic Director, Julian Wiles, will become Director Emeritus.

“Working with Charleston Stage through the pandemic and seeing them raise the curtain once again with the success that has followed has been an incredible experience for me as President of the Board of Trustees,” states Board President Janet Fiorenza. “This dynamic twoperson management team brings strong experience, talent, passion, and vision to these top leadership positions. I have full confidence in their abilities and no doubt that there is no limit to what Charleston Stage can accomplish moving forward under their guidance.”

Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg recently noted, “On behalf of the city of Charleston, I’d like to congratulate Julian Wiles on his well-deserved retirement. For 45 years Charleston Stage has been a pillar of our arts community, and with the new team of Marybeth Clark and Frank Mack at the helm, I am excited for the future and the continued success of this great arts organization.”

MARYBETH CLARK, CHARLESTON STAGE’S NEW ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Marybeth Clark, who will become Artistic Director, first appeared as an actor with Charleston Stage in 1997 in Moon Over Buffalo. The following year she joined the company full-time as the Director of Education and continued to act and direct.

Under Ms. Clark’s leadership, Charleston Stage’s education programs have grown into one of the largest in the state.

These programs include 300 students in Charleston Stage’s TheatreSchool program and over 50 students who are members of Charleston Stage’s TheatreWings High School Apprentice Program. Under Ms. Clark’s leadership, Charleston Stage’s school matinee performances are attended annually by over 20,000 area students from around the state.

In 2000, Ms. Clark created Charleston Stage’s Resident Acting Program, an opportunity for college graduates in theatre to continue their training

while performing and teaching with a professional theatre company. Through the Resident Acting Program, 130 talented young actors have begun their professional careers with Charleston Stage. Many of these actors have returned to Charleston, working with Charleston Stage as guest actors, directors, and choreographers.

These include Gabriel Wright, now a New York-based actor, who returned to play Scrooge in A Christmas Carol and Crystin Gilmore, also now a New York-based actor/ director, who has returned to direct the upcoming Once on This Island musical, the finale of Charleston Stage’s 45th Season.

In 2001, Ms. Clark was named Associate Artistic Director and, in that capacity, has directed over 70 productions, most recently, Kinky Boots, The Addams Family - A New Musical, The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show, The Play That Goes Wrong, and Native Gardens.

Marybeth Clark was instrumental in creating and implementing Charleston Stage’s new CityStage Community Engagement Program, which includes after-school classes on site at multiple Title One schools, scholarships for classes at the West Ashley Theatre Center, and professional development for area teachers. In addition, Charleston Stage’s annual free CityStage May community performance series will once again bring a rousing musical version of Treasure Island to schools and communities throughout the Lowcountry.

FRANK MACK, CHARLESTON STAGE’S NEW MANAGING DIRECTOR Frank Mack, who will become Charleston Stage’s first ever Managing Director, most recently served five years as the Executive Producer of the Utah Shakespeare Festival in Cedar City, UT. Prior, he was an associate professor and Founder of the arts administration programs at the University of Connecticut in Storrs, CT. He said, “I am very excited by the opportunity to join this amazing organization. I have been inspired by the deep commitment held by the staff, board, and audience of Charleston Stage.

I am much enthused by the artistic and educational achievements of Charleston Stage and eager to become an active part of it.”

Mr. Mack also worked as managing director of the California Shakespeare Theatre in Berkeley, CA; Geva Theatre Center in Rochester, NY; Connecticut Repertory Theatre in Storrs, CT; and project manager at Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. His skill set includes an emphasis on making data-

informed decisions and cultivating longterm, mutually beneficial relationships with stakeholders. Mr. Mack served as a management consultant at Center Stage in Baltimore, MD; the African Continuum Theatre Company in Washington, D.C.; the Contemporary American Theatre Festival in Shepherdstown, WV; the University of Delaware in Newark, DE; and numerous other community and university arts organizations along the East Coast.

Originally from Overland Park, KS, Mr. Mack graduated from the University of Kansas with a bachelor’s degree in acting, then earned an MFA in theatre directing from Virginia Tech. He will relocate to Charleston with his wife and two children, who are both in college. He begins work with Charleston Stage on April 17th.

Clark and Mack announced several new initiatives for 2023-24, which will mark Charleston Stage’s 46th season. “We’re very pleased,” Artistic Director Marybeth Clark notes, “that our entire MainStage and Family Series lineup of shows feature seven new productions—all never before produced on the Dock Street Theatre stage. Many are regional and Charleston premieres.”

Charleston Stage is also excited to announce that their May CityStage free community tour of Treasure Island is expanding to provide free performances at seven schools and communities across five counties: Charleston, Berkeley, Dorchester, Georgetown, and Colleton.

Education programming continues to grow with 220 students in spring classes and over 300 students in summer camps held at the West Ashley Theatre Center.

Charleston Stage’s expanded education programming will include 17 weeks of arts integration workshops designed to bring theatre education programming to even more students throughout the Lowcountry.

Managing Director Frank Mack also notes, “accessibility will expand to include ASL sign language interpreters at one performance of each MainStage and Family Series show next season.

Charleston Stage has also begun offering free companion tickets for the visually impaired.”

We are proud to welcome Frank Mack to Charleston Stage while also honoring Founder and Producing Artistic Director Julian Wiles on his retirement in this 45th Anniversary Season. Please join us in welcoming Mack to the Holy City!

Speaking with Crystin feels like speaking with a longtime friend who cares deeply for you, even if you’ve only just met. A former Resident Actor with Charleston Stage and current Equity Actor in New York, we consider ourselves fortunate beyond measure to be graced with her talent whenever she appears as a guest artist in our productions. With Once On This Island, she’s making her directorial debut, for which we are so proud. Read more about her process in preparing to lead this show: Q: You’re worked with Charleston Stage before many times — welcome back! What are your favorite Charleston Stage memories?

Thank you! My relationship with Charleston Stage runs deep. I have a plethora of memories that touch my heart. My first show with Charleston Stage was Beehive: The 60’s Musical!

It’s a show with hits from all the 60’s girl groups.

I loved it because the songs took you back in time and made you dance in your seat. As a previous Resident Actor, I thoroughly enjoyed teaching acting classes and working on the summer shows. There’s nothing like watching a child shine on stage at The Dock Street!! I have too many favorite shows to name but if I had to choose my top 3, I’d say Mamma Mia!– it’s the music, comedy and the dancing, The Seat of Justice– Julian Wiles‘ writing and commitment to the story is unmatched, and my upcoming show Once On This Island because it’s a story about unconditional love and it’s my directorial debut!

Q: Share with us your artistic background.

How did you get involved in theatre?

My mother says I started acting straight out of her womb! Haha! I’d agree. I’ve always been a storyteller and a lover of people. I’m also the daughter of a Southern preacher and an educator, so this field suits me well. I started singing in the church at a young age, I participated in school talent shows and many church programs, and I discovered a love for directing in college. I realized then that a collaborative is the best way to tell a story.

Q: What has inspired you as you study the script of Once On This Island?

Once On This Island has inspired me to be more vulnerable in giving and receiving love. This story has enriched my life in so many ways. My hope is that the cast and the audience members leave this production feeling inspired to give the love they desire freely and unconditionally.

Q: What has come easily as you prepare to direct the show?

I’ve had a fantastic time in the collaborative process. My technical creatives have been fantastic in their flexibility and visions. They have made this process very easy in making my/ our desired vision come to life.

Q: What are your dreams for Charleston Stage’s own production of this special show?

Our version of Once On This Island will hopefully remind people that what they have in life is enough, and that desiring what other people have is a waste of time. There is only one you and your life is sufficiently beautiful, individual and unique.

Join Us for Our 45th Anniversary Celebration! Visit CharlestonStage.com/Benefit For Details!

Once On This ISLAND

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Meet Courtni Riddick, Costume Designer of Once On This Island Q: Share with us your artistic background.

How did you get into theatre and costume design?

I originally started school in fine arts.

While in school I was offered a work-study position in costume coordination. I fell in love with it, and the rest is history.

Q: Which styles of theatre do you gravitate towards the most? Why? I love the esoteric and the fantastical.

Anything that gives me an opportunity to try a new approach conceptually and artistically is interesting for me.

Featured: Courtni Riddick, Costume Designer

Courtni Riddick, our Costume Shop Director and Costume Designer for Once On This Island, has brought her talent to many of our shows since joining our professional staff in Season 44. Learn about her artistic tastes and processes for designing this fantastical production:

Featured: Steven Prince Tate, Guest Choreographer

Q: What has come easily as you costume the show?

Collaborating with our Director, Crystin Gilmore, has been thoroughly enjoyable.

She is open to and welcoming of our ideas.

Her energy, attitude, and approach to this show and our team have been so inspiring.

Meet Steven Prince Tate, Guest Choreographer of Once On This Island Steven Prince Tate is all energy and enthusiasm, especially for his craft in choreography and his artistic dreams for our production of Once On This Island. Hear from him about his inspirations and visions for the show:

Q: Which aspects have proven to be more challenging?

The most challenging aspect has surprisingly been access to the unique resources and fabrics we need. Most of our really interesting fabrics we’ve had to travel hours to get or have them shipped in.

Q: What are your dreams for Charleston Stage’s visual presentation of this special show?

The framing for Once On This Island is that of a community coming together to share and tell a story, utilizing whatever they have on hand to convey the beauty of a shared lore and history. I want to help the audience feel immersed in this telling, like they’re being let in on something special.

With all the hard work our team is putting in, I absolutely believe they will be.

Featured: Costume renderings by Costume Designer Courtni Riddick

Meet Seth Howard, Guest Scenic Designer of Once On This Island

Q: Share with us your artistic background.

What inspired your passion for dance?

My artistic background is a self-made journey. I was, and still am, the kid that LOVED watching BET, MTV, VH1 and whatever awards show or artist special was on TV. I would study the hottest video at the time, learn the moves, then perform them at school dances with my cousin. Everything that I learned movement-wise was self taught until I joined my elementary school’s cheer and step team.

My senior year in high school was when I was introduced to my first “dance studio.” My aunt took me to a masterclass that was being held and saw how much I gravitated to learning and picking up movement - she signed me right up! Unfortunately, that was one of the worst experiences I’ve ever had and almost made me not want to pursue dance. However, when I went to college, I signed up for my first modern dance class without knowing anything about the genre. It made me fall in love!

Q: Which styles of dance do you gravitate towards the most? Why? This is kind of a hard question - not because of what calls to me but because of what is wanted at the moment. The first style I learned was the social/cultural form of Hip-Hop, but now I gravitate more towards the Contemporary Movement. Though every style of dance has the capability of storytelling, Contemporary allows these stories to be avant-garde. In this you can stray away from the literal and become a moving parable: having the audience search for the meaning you are sharing while allowing them the space to create their own. Though it can be all over the place at times, I enjoy the task of unpacking a theme through dance.

Featured: Set rendering of “We Dance” in Once On This Island by Guest Scenic Designer Seth Howard

Featured: Seth Howard, Guest Scenic Designer

We consider ourselves totally fortunate to have the talent of Seth Howard for our Once On This Island scenic designs. Get to know Seth and his bright, wonderful visions for the show in the following interview: Q: Share with us your artistic background. How did you get into scenic design?

Like most people in the industry, I started doing theatre in high school by joining the backstage crew. It was there that I fell in love with creating and fabricating set pieces for our shows. After high school I left the theatre world and went to school for mechanical engineering. 3 years in I realized that I wanted to change my major; engineering didn’t feel right for me. Luckily, my love for theatre never died and it just so happened that the college I was attending had an amazing fine arts

program. I applied, and after a few rounds of interviews I was admitted into the stage design program at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM)!

Q: What artistic styles do you gravitate towards the most? Why? My overall design style is very “architectural.” I tend to see large shapes and structures when I’m imaging and sketching up shows. From there I break those large shapes down into individual elements that make up the show. However, I’m still on a personal journey to discover my style - I think this is something that takes designers years to really figure out.

Q: What has come easily as you design the show? Which aspects have proven to be more challenging?

The overall idea of creating a market that serves as this communal space for all of the social classes that exist in the story came pretty easily to me. For me, the most challenging aspect was figuring out how

to depict the “two different worlds” that occupy the story. I constantly asked myself, “How do we visually show the difference between the peasants and the wealthy?” After a while of sitting with my thoughts, I finally landed on the idea of using the street art (that is commonly seen on the island) as a way to show the different worlds. As you look at the set you will see that all of the portals that frame the space are covered in graffitiesque murals, where one side shows the homes of the peasants and the other showing the homes of the wealthy.

Q: What has inspired you as you design Charleston Stage’s production of Once On This Island?

I’ve been really drawn to the architecture of Haiti at large during my design process for this show. Haiti is full of culture, texture, and diverse styles of structures. It was my goal from the beginning to create a smorgasbord of all the interesting materials and architectural motifs found on the island.

Q: What has come easily as you choreograph the show? Which aspects have proven to be more challenging?

What has come easily to me has been creating the movement, while it has been more challenging to consider the other moving parts in the show, such as our sets and props. When creating any ballet there is a blank canvas - the only moving parts a person needs to worry about are the other moving bodies and costumes. However, with theatre the dancers and choreographers always need to keep the set and prop pieces in the back of their minds.

Q: What has inspired you as you choreograph Charleston Stage’s production of Once On This Island?

To be honest, what has inspired the choreography for this show are the people, the landscapes being developed, and the imagination of our design team. Collaborations are very important to me as a creative person.

Being in the space with the actors while making sure we pull the best out of them, seeing how they gravitate towards different movements and characters, and the ability to adapt to changes allows room for me to create beautiful moments for our actors and audiences.

Purchase Tickets for Once On This Island at CharlestonStage.com or Call (843) 577-7183!

2023-24 SEASON 5 PLAY MAINSTAGE SERIES AUG. 25 - SEPT. 17, 2023

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HOLIDAY Charleston Premiere!

Book & Lyrics by Chad Beguelin • Book by Bob Martin • Music by Matthew Sklar • Based on an original concept by Jack Viertel • Original Broadway Production directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw • Originally Produced on Broadway by Bill Damaschke, Dori Berinstein, and Jack Lane

Egos and Eccentricities Collide When Know-It-All Broadway Stars Crash a Small Town to Right a Wrong The Prom, a brash new musical comedy that took Broadway by storm and lit up the screen in the Netflix adaptation starring Meryl Streep, comes to the Dock Street Theatre to open Charleston Stage’s 46th Season! From the creative team behind Elf! The Musical, this Drama Desk-winner and Tony-nominee tells the story of four Broadway has-beens in search of a way to restore their failing careers. They fly off to Indiana to help Emma, a 17-year-old who has been barred from taking her girlfriend to prom by her school’s PTA. Chaos, comedy, and catharsis ensue as the locals and Broadway divas alike dance around their differences until they discover that they’re all dancing to the same beat.

OCT. 20 - NOV. 5, 2023

Members Save Up to 60%, Up to $778 Per Couple!

Charleston Premiere!

Based on the screenplay by Jonathan Lynn • Written by Sandy Rustin Additional Material by Hunter Foster and Eric Price • Based on the Paramount Pictures Motion Picture • Based on the Hasbro board game CLUE Original Music by Michael Holland

Whodunnit? What Room? What Weapon? What Fun! The beloved board game and star-studded 1985 cult film come to life in this high-energy, farcical, murder-mystery romp–Clue: On Stage is comedy at its off-the-wall best. All the suspects are there: Miss Scarlet, Colonel Mustard, Professor Plum, Mr. Green, Mrs. White, and Mrs. Peacock as mayhem unfolds on a dark and stormy night in a spooky mansion.

DEC. 1 - 22, 2023

From the Book by Charles Dickens • Adapted for the Stage by Julian Wiles

The Best-Selling Show in Charleston Stage History Returns for an Encore Holiday Run! Audiences were dazzled last season by the stunning new scenery, costumes, and special effects in Charleston Stage’s spectacular original adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol! Featuring a marvelous score of classic carols and over 50 iconic characters from Scrooge to Tiny Tim, this bright musical brings the heartfelt wonder of the Christmas season magically alive once more. Last year’s performances of this holiday hit each sold out, so get your tickets early!

FAMILY SERIES JULY 22, 23, 29 & 30, 2023

Charleston Premiere!

Book by Joe Tracz • Music and Lyrics by Rob Rokicki • Adapted from the book The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

An Electrifying Rock and Roll Musical for the Whole Family Millions of fans have followed Percy Jackson’s adventures in Rick Riordan’s award-winning YA books, in the hit 2010 film, and with this 2014 high-voltage Off-Broadway musical.

The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical highlights the adventures of Percy, a typical 12-year-old, who discovers that he’s actually the son of Poseidon, God of the Seas, with the magical powers to match. Soon Percy is off on a quest to find Zeus’ missing lightning bolt in desperation to stop an impending war between the gods. Winner of Off-Broadway honors such as Outstanding Musical and Best Family Show, The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical has been electrifying audiences around the world since its debut.

FEB. 3 & FEB. 10, 2024

Charleston Premiere!

By Allison Gregory • Based on the books Junie B., First Grader - Toothless Wonder and Junie B. Jones and That Meanie Jim’s Birthday by Barbara Park

Everyone’s Favorite First Grader Loses a Tooth!

JAN. 26 - FEB. 11, 2024

Charleston Premiere!

By Douglas Lyons

Who Knew a Family Funeral Could Be So Much Fun? “Finger Lickin’ Good...Delightful,” headlined the Style Weekly review of Chicken & Biscuits, the hilarious new comedy that sizzled its way onto Broadway in 2021.

The contentious Jenkins clan arrives for a family reunion to eulogize their father’s passing, in hopes that they can pay tribute to him without coming to blows. Chicken & Biscuits is a cauldron of rival family members, hilarious grievances, and a dark family secret soon to be uncovered–the perfect comedic recipe for mirth and mayhem.

MAR. 1 - MAR. 17, 2024

Junie B. has a lost tooth—what if she ends up looking like her toothless Uncle Lou? And what’s up with this Tooth Fairy thing? Amidst all these worries, Junie is wondering why she is the only kid in Room 9 who is left out of Jim’s birthday party. Is it because he’s the biggest meanie in the class? It’s a whole lot for a first grader to ponder.

Ways to Purchase Season Tickets: Join online

starting Apr. 14 at CharlestonStage.com, by phone at (843) 577-7183 (Tue-Fri 1pm-5pm) or by mail at: Charleston Stage, P.O. Box 356, Charleston, SC 29402.

Order form available for download online on Apr. 14.

Season Ticket Packages: Select from Director’s Circle, 5 Play MainStage, Build Your Own 3 Play, Family Series and FlexTickets. Be the first to choose your seats before the general public and save up to 60%, up to $778 per couple! Season Members receive exclusive exchange privileges, 25% off additional single tickets, and 5 Play MainStage members receive two additional complimentary guest vouchers.

Charleston Premiere!

By Horton Foote

You Can Go Home Again From two-time Oscar winner Horton Foote, writer of the award-winning screenplay for To Kill A Mockingbird, comes an original work that earned the late Cecily Tyson a Tony Award for her Broadway performance in The Trip To Bountiful. This warm, moving play tells the story of 80-year-old Carrie Watts, who longs to leave the cramped, urban apartment she shares with her son and daughter-in-law in Houston, in hopes of journeying back to her childhood home of Bountiful, Texas.

APR. 12 - APR. 28, 2024

Charleston Premiere!

Book by Douglas McGrath • Words and Music by Gerry Goffin and Carole King, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil • Music by Arrangement with Sony/ATV Music Publishing • Orchestrations, Vocal and Incidental Music Arrangements by Steve Sidwell

When You’re Down and Troubled and Need Some Lovin’ Care This Tony, Olivier, and Grammy award-winning musical follows the whirlwind career of the legendary Carole King. From her early years writing songs as a Brooklyn teenager to penning hit after hit for legendary groups such as The Drifters (“Up on the Roof”), The Shirelles (“Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow”) and icons like James Taylor (“You’ve Got a Friend”) and Aretha Franklin (“You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman”), King became a singer/songwriter powerhouse.

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical brings Carole King’s music to the stage and showcases her spectacular second-act solo career with the moving biography of her life and relationships.

Season Tickets Go On Sale April 14! Join Online at CharlestonStage.com or Call (843) 577-7183!