College of Charleston SCHOOL OF THE ARTS

Piccolo Spoleto Stelle di Domani Theatre Series

Seven different performances that feature the Stars of the Department of Theatre at the College of Charleston School of the Arts: 

“FORTUNE’S CHILD” – A free staged reading of the 2012 Todd McNerney National Playwriting contest runner-up written by Mark Scharf, Dramatist Guild member and MFA from the University of Virginia. “Fortune’s Child” is the bittersweet story of Susan (a woman dying of ovarian cancer), her brother, Mike (a widower still learning to cope), his daughter/her niece, Sarah (a young woman stretching to grow up) and her boyfriend, Brian (a young man of modest ambition) and their learning that “letting go” is the only way to live. Parental discretion is advised due to content, language and/or subject matter. [more info and tickets]

“A BOSTON MARRIAGE” – Collective Collaborative Players presents “A Boston Marriage” as only Mamet could imagine it! Featuring CofC Alum Laura Rikard (VA Film Festival 2011 Best Actress Award), Laine Satterfield (Richmond Theatre Critics Award 2011 Best Actress) and Louise Mittelman. When the impending arrival of a young lover threatens their cohabitation, two cantankerous women of high society find their lives thrust into chaos. Barbing, bartering, and badgering make way for sleuthing, soothsaying, and snake-tongued gibes at the Scottish maid, with her own secret. Parental discretion is advised due to content, language and/or subject matter. [more info and tickets]

“THE ELEPHANT IN MY CLOSET” – From the creators of the award-winning “David Lee Nelson…Status Update” comes a new comedy about the Republican Party and how to come out of the closet to your father…as a Democrat. Perfect for election season! “Extraordinary,” London Times. “Painfully funny. NOT TO BE MISSED,” Charleston City Paper.  Parental discretion is advised due to content, language and/or subject matter. [more info and tickets]

“THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT” – A free staged reading of the 2012 Todd McNerney National Playwriting contest winner written by James Still, a two-time nominee for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. “The House That Jack Built” is the story of three women from two generations bound by many years and by the memory of Jack – one’s son, another’s brother, and the last’s husband. Surprising, humorous, and touching it brings them together around a very recognizable family gathering – Thanksgiving – where they learn the real things for which to be thankful. Parental discretion is advised due to content, language and/or subject matter. [more info and tickets]

“UNDER THE LIGHTS” – This event (in its seventh incarnation and a Piccolo favorite) showcases a series of original student written 10-minute plays. CofC’s Theatre Department has an award-winning history in playwriting and this year’s UTL includes an honorable mention to the KC/ACTF Region IV winner, the Franklin B. Ashley Award winner, and the Todd McNerney Student Award winner and runner-up. Join in an evening of short scripts that reflect the voices and ideas of the next generation of writers. Parental discretion is advised due to content, language and/or subject matter. [more info and tickets]

“PINK COLLAR COMEDY TOUR” – The Pink Collar Comedy Tour features four rising stars from all over the country who have been making a splash on the NYC comedy scene. Erin Judge (Comedy Central), Abbi Crutchfield (VH1) and Carrie Gravenson (Catch a Rising Star) join CofC alum Kaytlin Bailey to share their adventures in shedding the corporate world for the comedy life. Hang onto your day job and enjoy a night of irreverent hilarity! Parental discretion is advised due to content, language and/or subject matter. [more info and tickets]

“THE SEARCH FOR SIGNS OF INTELLIGENT LIFE IN THE UNIVERSE” – Join Trudy, New York’s favorite bag lady, as she sets out on a joyful, hilarious trip through space and time. Along the way, you’ll meet a dozen characters in an epic quest to uncover the deepest mysteries of the universe. “Head and shoulders above nearly anything that’s appeared on a Charleston stage in recent years,” Charleston City Paper. “Beyond tour-de-force, beyond virtuosic…weepingly funny theatre,” The Post & CourierParental discretion is advised due to content, language and/or subject matter. [more info and tickets]