North Charleston Presents Holiday Children’s Theatre Performance on Decemeber 6

Don Gruel and Noel Holland of Atlantic Coast Theatre for Youth return to North Charleston on Friday, December 6, 2013, to spread Christmas cheer with a performance of Yes, Virginia, There Is A Santa Claus. The production, presented as part of the City of North Charleston’s 2013-14 Children’s Theatre Series, is a fun, fast-paced family drama in the style of the classic holiday films of the 1940's.

Offering an imaginative twist to the story inspired by Francis P. Church's famous 1897 newspaper editorial response to an inquisitive little girl, A.C.T. sets their version in 1947. The production takes on the look and feel of the memorable films of post-World War II Hollywood, such as It’s A Wonderful Life and Miracle on 34th Street. The audience tags along with a reporter who must follow leads to find proof about the existence of Santa Claus, realizing in the end that believing is proof enough. The performance is appropriate for grades K-8.

Atlantic Coast Theatre for Youth is an acclaimed professional touring theatre company based in Orlando, FL. Founded in 1995, the company consists of husband and wife team, Don Gruel and Noel Holland. Don and Noel tour throughout the U.S. bringing their creativity and commitment to the art of Theatre for young audiences to performing arts centers, schools, libraries, museums, and festivals. Each season Atlantic Coast Theatre for Youth produces five to seven original shows and gives over 250 performances annually for more than 75,000 audience members.

Yes, Virginia, There Is A Santa Claus will be presented from 10:00am to 11:00am at the Sterett Hall Auditorium on the former Charleston Naval Base, 1530 7th Street, North Charleston, SC, 29405. Tickets are $2 per child; accompanying adults are admitted at no charge. Groups of 10+ are required to reserve space. Seats fill up fast, so reserve early by calling the City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department office at 843.740.5854. For reservation forms, directions, or information on additional programs and events, 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.

Annual North Charleston Arts Festival set for May 4-12

Mayor Summey talks about the Arts Festival on 1250 WTMA

Now in its 30th year, the North Charleston Arts Festival will take place May 4-12, 2012. The nine day event draws thousands of residents and visitors each year and is one of the most comprehensive arts festivals in the state, highlighting national, regional, and local artists and performers in the areas of Dance, Music, Theater, Visual Arts, Crafts, Photography, Media Arts, and Literature.

Organized by the City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department, the festival strives to maintain the spirit of a public celebration with the mission of presenting a broad, multidiscipline event schedule that provides a wide range of performances, exhibitions, and activities for people of all ages and backgrounds. Many of the offerings are free, and those that are ticketed are moderately priced. Recognized by the Southeast Tourism Society as a Top 20 Event, the North Charleston Arts Festival offers something for everyone.

My Muse by Elena Barna, winner of the
2012 Arts Festival Design Competition.
Elena's work will be used to promote the festival.

“The Arts Festival is truly a point of pride for the City of North Charleston,” says North Charleston Mayor, Keith Summey. “It provides our residents and thousands of visitors with a myriad of opportunities to experience high quality entertainment, exhibits, and programming from every arts discipline in a variety of traditional and non-traditional settings.”

The Arts Festival Main Event, held on Saturday, May 5, and Sunday, May 6, at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center and Charleston Area Convention Center, offers free admission and parking to over forty performances on four themed stages: General Audience, Cultural Heritage, Youth Entertainment, and Bands.  Other features include judged fine art and photography exhibits; the 12th annual South Carolina Palmetto Hands Fine Craft Exhibit; youth art from Charleston, Berkeley and Dorchester county students; the Lowcountry Gem & Mineral Society show and sale; the Village Antiques & Collectibles show; children's activities at Box City and Creation Stations; art & craft vendors, a food court, and much more. 

The Festival continues with over fifty events throughout the week at various locations.  An exciting array of free and ticketed events include concerts, street dances, theatre presentations, film screenings, art workshops and demonstrations, an art walk, children’s programs, an Art & Fine Craft CoOp Gallery & Sale, the 7th annual National Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition, and a Grand Finale at the beautiful North Charleston Riverfront Park. This year’s Grand Finale on May 12 features a Tri-County school showcase, dance performances, a slam poetry show, children’s activities, and an evening concert by The Shem Creek Boogie Band. The event concludes with a fantastic fireworks display over the Cooper River.

Applications are now being accepted for participation in the Festival’s Judged Fine Art Exhibition, Judged Photography Exhibition, Art Walk, Opening Processional, and Tri-County Youth Art Exhibition. Volunteer sign-up forms are also available. Applications can be found at NorthCharlestonArtsFest.com.

For more 2012 North Charleston Arts Festival information, including event details and venue information, visit NorthCharlestonArtsFest.com or contact the North Charleston Cultural Arts Department office at (843) 740-5854.

North Charleston Performing Arts Center Best of Broadway Series announces shows for 2012-2013 Season

The North Charleston Performing Arts Center Best of Broadway series announced today that LES MISÉRABLES will anchor their 2012-2013 season.  Cameron Mackintosh’s brand new 25th anniversary production of Boublil & Schönberg’s legendary musical, LES MISÉRABLES, with glorious new staging and dazzlingly reimagined scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo will run February 19-24, 2013 for eight performances.  This new production has been acclaimed by critics, fans and new audiences and is breaking box office records wherever it goes.

The Best of Broadway series also announced four other productions for 2012-2013:  ROCK OF AGES (October 4-5, 2012); SHREK THE MUSICAL (November 23-24, 2012); WEST SIDE STORY (December 18-19, 2012); BLUE MAN GROUP (January 11-12, 2013).  Best of Broadway will also present a one night only special performance by Mannheim Steamroller on December 1, 2012. All performances will be held at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center.

“The Best of Broadway series keeps getting better and better!” said Dave Holscher, General Manager of the North Charleston Performing Arts Center. “With great shows like LES MISÉRABLES, ROCK OF AGES, SHREK THE MUSICAL, WEST SIDE STORY and BLUE MAN GROUP, there is something for everyone to enjoy.”

“It’s hard to believe that the Performing Arts Center and the Best of Broadway series are entering their fourteenth year of presenting world class entertainment to the Lowcountry. This season’s line-up features both new and classic shows that audiences will love.” said North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey.

“We’re entering the ninth year of an outstanding partnership with the good people at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center. We are committed to bringing the very best of Broadway to the Lowcountry and it doesn’t get any better than this season’s line-up!” said Nick Scandalios, Executive Vice President of Nederlander Producing Company of America.

Season ticket packages are now available and prices start at only $190.50. Tickets are available at the Coliseum Advance Ticket Office, by calling the Best of Broadway hotline (843) 202-ARTS (2787) or online at www.northcharlestoncoliseumpac.com. Individual show tickets will go on sale at a later date.

In addition to having the same seat for all performances, Best of Broadway season ticket holders enjoy many other benefits such as free parking, priority access to tickets for Coliseum & Performing Arts Center events before they go on public sale and special discounts & offers not available to the general public.

The Best of Broadway series features the best in national touring Broadway shows and is presented by the North Charleston Performing Arts Center and the Nederlander Producing Company of America.

...and in case you want it, here's even more information!

ROCK OF AGES
October 4-5, 2012
7:30 PM
The worldwide party musical ROCK OF AGES features a mix of 28 rockin’ 80’s tunes including DON’T STOP BELIEVIN’, WE BUILT THIS CITY, THE FINAL COUNTDOWN, WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE, HERE I GO AGAIN, CAN’T FIGHT THIS FEELING and I WANT TO KNOW WHAT LOVE IS. In 1987 on the Sunset Strip, a small town girl met a big city rocker and in LA’s most famous rock club, they fell in love to the greatest songs of the 80’s. It’s five time 2009 Tony® nominee ROCK OF AGES, an arena-rock love story told through the mind blowing, face-melting hits of JOURNEY, NIGHT RANGER, STYX, REO SPEEDWAGON, PAT BENATAR, TWISTED SISTER, POISON, ASIA, WHITESNAKE and many more. Don’t miss this awesomely good time about dreaming big, playing loud and partying on!

"Impossible to resist!”
- Charles Isherwood, New York Times

"Rock and comedy in perfect proportion!"
- David Cote, Time Out

SHREK THE MUSICAL
November 23-24, 2012
November 23 at 7:30 PM, November 24 at 2:00 PM
SHREK THE MUSICAL, based on the Oscar®-winning DreamWorks film that started it all, brings the hilarious story of everyone’s favorite ogre to life on stage.

In a faraway kingdom turned upside down, things get ugly when an unseemly ogre – not a handsome prince – shows up to rescue a feisty princess. Throw in a donkey who won’t shut up, a villain with a SHORT temper, a cookie with an attitude and over a dozen other fairy tale misfits, and you’ve got the kind of mess that calls for a real hero. Luckily, there’s one on hand… and his name is Shrek.

Featuring a terrific score of 19 all-new songs, big laughs, great dancing and breathtaking scenery, WWOR-TV proclaims SHREK THE MUSICAL, “FAR, FAR AND AWAY THE FUNNIEST NEW MUSICAL ON BROADWAY!”

SHREK THE MUSICAL is part romance, part twisted fairy tale and all irreverent fun for everyone!

WEST SIDE STORY
December 18-19, 2012
7:30 PM

More than fifty years ago one musical changed theater forever. Now it's back and mesmerizing audiences once again. From the first note to the final breath, WEST SIDE STORY soars as the greatest love story of all time and remains as powerful, poignant and timely as ever. The Bernstein and Sondheim score is considered to be one of Broadway's finest and features such classics of the American musical theatre as "Something's Coming," "Tonight," "America," "I Feel Pretty" and "Somewhere." As the Associated Press says, “WEST SIDE STORY remains Broadway’s best dance-driven musical. Five decades have not dimmed the extraordinary choreography or the score that pulsates throughout.”

BLUE MAN GROUP
January 11-12, 2013
January 11 at 7:30 PM, January 12 at 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM

Experience the Phenomenon. BLUE MAN GROUP is best known for their wildly popular theatrical shows and concerts which combine comedy, music, and technology to produce a totally unique form of entertainment. The New York Times heralds the show as “One of the most delightful performance pieces ever staged.” E! Entertainment News exclaims, “BLUE MAN GROUP is what every live performance aspires to be.” The Baltimore Sun raves, “Blue Man Group packs a wallop. It’s a big, loud, funny, silly, visually arresting production!”

Although it is impossible to describe, people of all ages agree that BLUE MAN GROUP is an intensely exciting and wildly outrageous show that leaves the entire audience in a blissful, euphoric state. With no spoken language, BLUE MAN GROUP is perfect for people of all ages, languages, and cultures. BLUE MAN GROUP is now on the road for its first U.S. theatrical tour. This unique experience is a form of entertainment like nothing else; guaranteed to be an outing you will never forget.

LES MISERABLES
February 19-24, 2013
February 19-22 at 7:30 PM
February 23 at 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM
February 24 at 2:00 PM & 7:30 PM

DREAM THE DREAM

Cameron Mackintosh presents a brand new 25th anniversary production of Boublil & Schönberg’s legendary musical, LES MISÉRABLES, with glorious new staging and dazzlingly reimagined scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo. This new production has been acclaimed by critics, fans and new audiences and is breaking box office records wherever it goes.

The New York Times calls this LES MISÉRABLES “an unquestionably spectacular production from start to finish.” The London Times hails the new show “a five star hit, astonishingly powerful.” The Star-Ledger says "a dynamically re-imagined hit. This 'LES MISÉRABLES’ has improved with age” and NY1-TV proclaims “this new production actually exceeds the original. The storytelling is clearer, the perspective grittier and the motivations more honest. Musical theatre fans can rejoice: ‘Les Miz’ is born again.”

Based on Victor Hugo’s classic novel, LES MISÉRABLES is an epic and uplifting story about the survival of the human spirit. The magnificent score of LES MISÉRABLES includes the classic songs “I Dreamed a Dream,” “On My Own,” “Stars,” “Bring Him Home,” “Do You Hear the People Sing?,” “One Day More,” “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables,” “Master Of The House” and many more.

Season tickets for the BEST OF BROADWAY shows are on sale now at the Coliseum Advance Ticket Window or call the season ticket hotline (843) 202-ARTS (2787). For more information or an online order form, visit www.NorthCharlestonColiseumPAC.com. 

Park Circle Films announces Lowcountry Indie Shorts 6, opens film submissions

 Photo Credit: Dave Fancher

The Greater Park Circle Film Society, host of the Charleston area's only nonprofit filmhouse, is accepting submissions of short films for the next edition of Lowcountry Indie Shorts. The event will take place September 24th at the Olde North Charleston Picture House, 4820 Jenkins Avenue, North Charleston, SC 29405.

Lowcountry Indie Shorts is a semi-annual event with a focus on regional filmmaking, showcasing the best short films from South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia.

Animation, comedy, drama, documentaries, music videos, and genre films are all encouraged. Submissions are free, and filmmakers whose works are chosen will be invited to participate in a panel discussion and audience Q&A session afterwards.

Films must have been made in 2011, and are allowed to have been shown in other fests and events. Total running time must be at least 2 minutes and not more than 30 minutes. Submissions must be received by September 15, 2011. Submission forms can be downloaded from http://parkcirclefilms.org/pages/lowcountry-indie-shorts

Admission to a block of shorts is $5 general admission and $2 for Film Society members. Depending on the number of shorts received, there will be one or two blocks, with different films shown at each block.

Major arts award trio named

“Combining this triumvirate of highly accomplished persons as namesakes for the Summey Barkley Rucker Medallion has great potential for elevating the work of mentoring young lowcountry artists,” said Mary Gould, director of the South of Broadway Theatre Company (SOBTC), announcing a new arts award named after North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey, Charleston Regional Alliance for the Arts Founding Chair Nella Barkley and Hootie & the Blowfish lead singer Darius Rucker. The award, sponsored by SOBTC and presented annually, will recognize group or individual efforts at training and developing young artists. A selection committee will name the award’s first recipient by early-March as other plans take shape for a longstanding SOBTC youth arts project.  

Since 2005 SOBTC has sponsored Summer In The City (SITC), a month-long artististic residency program for aspiring Lowcountry actors, dancers and musicians ages 14-19. SITC participants reside at The Juilliard School in New York City while taking masterclasses with teachers from various performing arts institutions. According to Gould averages of ten students make the trip each year, however, the increased student turnout at SITC auditions held last month is expected to boost this year’s June 5 – July 2 residency to its highest enrollment. Gould will announce SITC participants later this month.

Mayor Summey and Youth Endowment for the Arts along with Mayors Joseph P. Riley, Jr. and the late Harry Hallman, Jr. were instrumental in launching the first year of SITC. “Mayor Summey is leading a transformation in North Charleston’s commercial and cultural appeal which impacts our work everyday,” Gould said. After taking office in 1994, Mayor Summey restored the city’s previously disbanded Cultural Arts Department to a full stand alone department which now has 13 employees and in 1999 established The Coliseum and Convention Center Complex, the lowcountry’s largest events arena.

Nella Barkley is a former Spoleto Festival USA General Manager, Founding Chair of the SCETV Endowment and of the Crystal-Barkley Corporation’s pioneering strategies for human resources management and author of The Crystal-Barkley Guide To Taking Charge of Your Career. “Nella is a towering force in many local, state and national endeavors and especially in the arts, education and the humanities,” said Gould. As board chair of the Charleston Regional Alliance for the Arts since 2006, Barkley’s reach in helping arts organizations is much sought after.

From his world-wide success as the lead singer of Hootie & the Blowfish to his solo delve into R&B, to his current meteoric rise to the top of the Country Music scene, Darius Rucker has sustained a successful music career spanning a quarter of a century. Songs from their debut album earned the group two Grammy’s along with a multitude of other awards, countless television appearances, and a fan base that crosses continents.  Rucker’s release of his solo record, Charleston, SC 1966, has reached #1 on the country chart as well as climbing to #2 on the Billboard Top 200. Gould cited Rucker’s “commitment to philanthropy, hard work, quality songwriting and energizing performances” as key elements in defining the purpose of the new arts award, the Summey Barkley Rucker Medallion.

“Indeed the life-works of these three persons is an inspiration to young artists and to the groups and individuals who help shape the lives of young artists” Gould said.

For more information call 843-814-4451 or visit website at: www.southofbroadway.com.