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.

2012 Summer Art Camps

Visual Arts Camp I - June 4-8 from  9 am – 12 pm 
For children ages 5-8 taught by the City’s Artist-in-Residence, Lori Starnes Isom.  Children will have the opportunity to experience various art media with an emphasis on drawing techniques.

Visual Arts Camp II - June 11-15  from  9 am – 12 pm
For children ages 9-13 taught by the City’s Artist-in-Residence, Lori Starnes Isom.  Students will receive more in-depth instruction in visual art using various art media with more emphasis on drawing techniques.  This will be a good opportunity to strengthen art portfolios for the more serious student while having fun!  Students of all ability levels will benefit from the opportunity to be creative!

Drama Camp I - June 18-22 from  9 am – 12 pm 
For children ages 5-8 taught by local theatre/film-making professional Julian Gooding.  Students will learn dynamic skills for acting in fun ways to build confidence and stage presence with inspiration coming from familiar fairy tales/children’s stories.

Drama Camp II  - July 9-20 from 9 am – 12 pm 
For children ages 9-13 taught by local theatre/film-making professional Julian Gooding.  Students will have the opportunity to learn more intensive drama skills in a 2 week Performance Workshop format focused on creating a performance for parents and the community at the end of the camp.

African Drum & Dance Camp  - July 23-27 from 9 am –12 pm
For children ages 5-13 taught by Rajeeyah Mujahid.  Students will learn rhythms and techniques of drumming and dance from West African influences.  An informal performance for family and friends will showcase the skills learned in the camp.

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The fee for all camps is $50 per week and students can pre-register early to get in the desired camp beginning March 1st.  A minimum number of registered students are required for the camps to take place.  Deadline for registration is one week prior to the beginning of the camp.  Register early by calling 740-5851 or email culturalarts@northcharleston.org.  All camps take place within the North Charleston Cultural facilities on the former Charleston Naval Base.  Visit www.northcharleston.org under Cultural Arts for more info and to print registration forms.

2011/12 North Charleston Dinner Theatre Series Tickets On Sale

Season and individual performance tickets available 

The North Charleston Cultural Arts Department is proud to present its 2011/12 Dinner Theater Series, featuring four fabulous performances accompanied by elegant dining.  Season ticket prices are $120 per person with group discounts are available. Those not wishing to purchase season tickets may purchase single performance tickets one month prior to each Dinner Theater.  Prices for individual performances are $37 per person, $34 per person for a party of 4-7, and $32 per person for a party of 8 or more.  

The series has proven to be a popular program for couples and groups. Productions take place in September, November, February, 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 to take place on Friday evenings in the elegant setting of the Embassy Ballroom at the Charleston Area Convention Center Complex, located at 5001 Coliseum Drive in North Charleston. Ticket price includes dinner, play, and gratuity. A cash bar is available. Parking is free.

Performance details and menus are listed below. Vegetarian alternatives may be requested in advance.

2011/12 North Charleston Dinner Theater Series Schedule

(subject to change)

Friday, September 23, 2011
The Flowertown Players Comedy Radio Hour performed by The Flowertown Players
The days of yesteryear come alive in a comedic evening of adventure, excitement, mystery, and mayhem.  Journey through the magic of old-time radio programming complete with musical scoring and sound effects.
Menu: Grilled Herb Chicken with andouille & tasso queso
   
Friday, November 4, 2011
Romeo & Juliet performed by The Baillie Players
Enjoy an abbreviated version of Shakespeare’s famous play with audience participation.
Menu: Drunken Pork Tenderloin with granny smith apple & red onion relish
   
Friday, February 10, 2012
Lowcountry Delights performed by Actors’ Theatre of South Carolina
Featuring wit, wisdom, and songs about romance in the Lowcountry, you'll meet Miss Magnolia, Mrs. Noah, and a bevy of babes who chat and sing about secrets of friendship and love.
Menu: Carolina Turkey Medallions with lemon & parmesan butter, marsala, and wild mushrooms
   
Friday, April 6, 2012
Mo’ Motown Magic performed by Remnant Productions
A fantastic evening filled with Motown greats that are sure to have you dancing in your seats!
Menu: Grilled Cypress Chicken with garlic-infused tomato concasse and herb aioli

Call 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.