North Charleston Dinner Theatre Series Closes with Love Letters on March 21

The final North Charleston Dinner Theatre performance of the season is set to take place on Friday, March 21, 2014, with Love Letters presented by Threshold Repertory Theatre and starring real-life married couple, Ginger and Al Curl. Dinner for the evening is catered by Embassy Suites and features an entrée of pecan roasted salmon. Tickets are on sale until Tuesday, March 18.

A smash hit on and off-Broadway, The Wall Street Journal calls Love Letters "exhilarating, funny, and moving." Written in 1989 by critically acclaimed playwright A.R. Gurney, the drama traces the correspondence between staid, dutiful lawyer, Andrew Makepeace Ladd III, and his lifelong 'friend,' the lively and unstable artist, Melissa Gardner. Their beautiful, poignant story of love and friendship unfolds through the pages of nearly 50 years of letters.

Happily married for 58 years, the two featured actors, Ginger and Al Curl, are thrilled to be performing opposite one another in this evocative, touching, often times funny theatre piece. These native New Yorkers have always shared a love of the arts, starting their acting careers in local and regional theatre companies in the Catskills. After an IBM relocation to the sunny south, the Curls were cast in many community theatre productions and it wasn’t long before they were “discovered” for films, commercials, and voice-overs. Al most recently portrayed Mr. Kowalski, the jeweler, in Hallmark Channel’s The Confessions and audiences will recognize Ginger as the “Woo Lady,” who appeared alongside Ric Flair in the South Carolina Lottery commercial.

Love Letters will be presented at the Charleston Area Convention Center Ballroom (adjacent to the North Charleston Performing Arts Center) at 5001 Coliseum Drive in North Charleston. The ballroom doors open at 7:00pm for dinner. Tickets are $40 per person. Group discounts are offered. Ticket price includes dinner, play, and gratuity. Tickets for just the play are available for $15. Parking is free. A cash-only bar will be available. To purchase tickets, contact Pam Smith at 843-740-5847 by Tuesday, March 18. For information on additional programs and events, contact the City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department at 843-740-5854 or visit http://bit.ly/culturalarts.

North Charleston Kicks Off Dinner Theatre Series September 20

Photo by Josh Burg

Another fabulous season of dinner theatre kicks off in North Charleston on Friday, September 20, with Sherlock Holmes and the Charleston History Mystery presented by The Black Fedora Comedy Mystery Theatre. The interactive production is a hauntingly historical and hysterical whodunit recommended for Sherlock Holmes fans, Charleston history buffs, and adults out on the town. Dinner for the evening is catered by Embassy Suites and features an entrée of Trattoria Carbonara. Tickets are on sale until Tuesday, September 17.

When a member of the infamous Charles Townson family is murdered during a civil war shooting demonstration, the World's Greatest Detective, Sherlock Holmes, is called to solve the case. Townson’s own brother is clearly the shooter and is immediately arrested, but Holmes suspects there is more to this story; in fact, several centuries more. Join the Master of Logic himself on the journey to solve this Lowcountry case of mystery, history, spooks, and specters. A journey where, without ever leaving their seat, audiences will explore Charleston's past, present, and other worldly; and where, should they choose to volunteer, audience members may actually play a victim, villain, or vile vision.

The Black Fedora Comedy Mystery Theatre opened its doors in early August of 2012. Owners/producers, Darryl & Sherry Wade, relocated to Charleston from Atlanta, Georgia, with nearly two decades of knowhow in the business of producing live, comic-mystery entertainment for corporate, college and general public audiences. Already highly ranked on Trip Advisor’s list of Charleston attractions, this new theatre is the place to go for family-friendly live theatre in a cozy setting. Their comedy-mystery shows are presented year-round at The Black Fedora Comedy Mystery Theatre and Shoppe at 164 King Street in downtown Charleston, with professional actors, volunteer audience participation and a la carte appetizers, desserts, and drinks. For more information, visit charlestonmysteries.com.

Sherlock Holmes and the Charleston History Mystery will be presented at the Charleston Area Convention Center Ballroom (adjacent to the North Charleston Performing Arts Center) at 5001 Coliseum Drive in North Charleston. The ballroom doors open at 7:00pm for dinner. Tickets are $40 per person. Group discounts are offered. Ticket price includes dinner, play, and gratuity. Tickets for just the play are available for $15. Parking is free. A cash-only bar will be available. To purchase tickets, contact Pam Smith at 843-740-5847 by Tuesday, September 17. For details on the 2013/14 North Charleston Dinner Theatre Series or information on additional programs and events, contact the City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department at 843-740-5854 or visit http://bit.ly/culturalarts.

2013/14 North Charleston Dinner Theatre Series Tickets On Sale Now

Performance of Waiting on You presented by Actors’ Theatre of SC during 2012/13 Dinner Theatre Series

The North Charleston Cultural Arts Department is pleased to present its 2013/14 Dinner Theater Series, featuring four fabulous performances accompanied by elegant dining. Season tickets are on sale now for $140 per person. Group discounts are available. Single performance tickets are priced at $40 and are available for purchase one month prior to each event. Patrons interested in forgoing dinner and enjoying the performance only may purchase “play only” tickets for $15.

The series has proven to be a popular program for couples and groups. Productions take place in September, November, January, and March. Guests are served a candlelit dinner at 7:00pm, then sit back to watch lively, and often interactive, performances by professional actors while enjoying dessert and tea or coffee. All programs are scheduled on Friday evenings in an elegant ballroom setting at the Charleston Area Convention Center Complex, located at 5001 Coliseum Drive in North Charleston. Dress is business casual. Ticket price includes dinner, play, and gratuity. A cash bar is available. Parking is free.

Performance details and menus are listed below. Meals are catered by Embassy Suites and include a garden salad, meat entrée with vegetable and starch, rolls, dessert, coffee & tea. Vegetarian alternatives may be requested in advance.


2013/14 North Charleston Dinner Theater Series Schedule (subject to change):

September 20, 2013 – Sherlock Holmes & the Charleston History Mystery performed by Black Fedora Comedy Mystery Theatre • When a member of the infamous Charles Townson family is murdered, the World's Greatest Detective, Sherlock Holmes, is drawn into a Lowcountry case of mystery, history, spooks, and specters. Join the Master of Logic himself for an Historical City Tour truly for the lazy — where without ever leaving your theatre seat you will explore Charleston's past, present, and...other worldly…and where should you choose to volunteer, you may actually play a victim, villain, or vile vision! Professional actors, volunteer audience roles.
Entree: Trattoria Carbonara – Classic roman dish, spaghetti pasta, glazed onion, crisp pancetta, cracked pepper, creamy egg & Italian cheese sauce

November 15, 2013 – Gullah Roots performed by The Gullah Lady, Sharon Cooper-Murray • The Gullah Lady, Ambassador of the Gullah Culture, will share the rich history of the Gullah community through a captivating collection of traditional stories and songs.
Entree: Pork Tenderloin – sage buttered & roasted slices, mustard & caper sauce

January 31, 2014 – Black & Blue: An Evening w/ Laura Ball performed by Laura Ball • Celebrate the Soul of America's Gifted Women of the Blues with pianist/vocalist Laura Ball and the Gentle Time Band. From Gospel to the Back Alleys of New Orleans, don't miss this exquisite cabaret evening of musical history. Entree: Smoked Chicken & Italian Sausage Penne – mushrooms, sweet onions, zucchini, pesto cream

March 21, 2014 – Love Letters performed by Threshold Repertory Theatre • Written in 1989 by critically acclaimed playwright A.R. Gurney, this drama reveals the bittersweet story of the staid, dutiful lawyer, Andrew Makepeace Ladd III, and lively, unstable artist, Melissa Gardner, through the pages of decades of letters. A smash hit on and off-Broadway, The Wall Street Journal calls Love Letters "exhilarating, funny, and moving." Entree: Pecan Roast Salmon – Dijon & maple basted, smoke tomato jam



Space is limited. Contact Pam Smith at 843-740-5847 for tickets or more information. MasterCard, Visa, American Express, cash, or checks made payable to the City of North Charleston are accepted. For information on other City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department programs, visit http://bit.ly/culturalarts or call 843-740-5854.

KaBOOM! designates North Charleston a “Playful City USA” Community for 3rd consecutive year

The City of North Charleston was once again named a “Playful City USA” community by KaBOOM!, the national non-profit dedicated to saving play for America’s children. KaBOOM! created “Playful City USA” in 2007 to help local governments address the play deficit by ensuring children have the time and space they need to play. 

This is the 3rd consecutive year the City has earned the honor. 217 cities and towns across the country received the designation of which only 6 were recognized from the State of South Carolina. 

"Kids need to play actively, every day, at home, in school and in their communities, yet play is disappearing," says Darell Hammond, Founder and CEO of KaBOOM!. “Children spend nearly eight hours a day in front of a screen; almost half of all poor students are deprived of recess; and to make matters worse, only one in five children live within walking distance of a park. Playful City USA communities like North Charleston are creating innovative programs and initiatives and deserve recognition because of their efforts to give kids the childhood they deserve and best prepare them for their future." 

North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey stated, “The North Charleston Recreation Department offers a wealth of activities and space for play that promotes healthy lifestyles, including sports for all ages at our many athletic complexes, senior programming in our community centers, afterschool and summer camps for our city’s youth, and passive play at the numerous playgrounds dotting the city.” Mayor Summey continued, “We take great pride in providing our citizens with play areas and programming that rival the best in the nation.” 

Opportunities for play are increasing in the City of North Charleston. The Danny Jones swimming pool was recently enclosed for year-round aquatics, Pepperhill Park was renovated, and Wescott Park, a baseball complex and Cal Ripken training facility, will soon open. 

In November 2009, KaBOOM! donated and assisted in building a state of the art, handicap accessible playground on Brookside Drive in North Charleston. KaBOOM! representatives, local non-profit The Sustainability Institute, community volunteers, and civic leaders participated in the single-day build of the playground. View photos of the build day. 

For more information on the KaBOOM! Playful City USA program, www.kaboom.org/playfulcityusa.

Flowertown Players close out North Charleston Dinner Theatre season on March 22

The Flowertown Players of Summerville will present Forever Plaid, the off-Broadway musical revue written by Stuart Ross, as part of the North Charleston Dinner Theatre Series on Friday, March 22, 2013. 

This deliciously goofy revue centers on The Plaids, a wholesome quartet of well harmonized guys that just want to sing. Tragically these four young, eager male performers were killed in a car crash on the way to their first big concert. As the play opens they have been miraculously revived for the posthumous chance to fulfill their dreams and perform the show that never was. With nostalgic hits from the 1950’s, The Plaids’ close harmony, zealous choreography, and boyish squabbles will put a song in your heart. 

The Flowertown Players staged this production at the historic James F. Dean Theatre in downtown Summerville at end of January and have adapted it for the North Charleston Dinner Theatre stage. Enjoy the final performance of the 2012/13 Dinner Theatre Series with this delightful new rendition of the off-Broadway show. The evening’s meal, catered by Embassy Suites, will feature a boneless pork chop entrée with soy, maple, and red chili marinade and sweet charred corn relish.

Forever Plaid will be presented at the Charleston Area Convention Center Ballroom (adjacent to the North Charleston Performing Arts Center) at 5001 Coliseum Drive in North Charleston. The ballroom doors open at 7:00pm for dinner. Tickets are $40 per person. Group discounts are available. Ticket price includes dinner, play, and gratuity. Tickets for just the performance are available for $15. Parking is free. A cash bar will be available. 

To purchase tickets or to request more information, contact Pam Smith at 843-740-5847 or email culturalarts@northcharleston.org. For information on the 2012-13 North Charleston Dinner Theatre Series or additional programs and events, visit the Cultural Arts section of the City’s website at northcharleston.org.