2019 FESTIVAL EVENT LINEUP
October 4-November 2 – “Above the Radar”
From October 4 through November 2, 2019, the Charleston Arts Festival, in collaboration with Charleston magazine, is proud to partner for a second time with Redux Contemporary Art Center in mounting “Above the Radar” as the signature visual arts offering of CAF’s fourth season.
“Above the Radar” has been conceived to be a revisiting of the creativity of the eighteen artists who were selected for inclusion in Charleston’s landmark 2006 and 2011 “Under the Radar” print features and City Gallery shows. Exhibiting artists from the class of 2006: Adrienne Antonson, Townsend Davidson, Kat Hastie Williamson, Alice Keeney, Julie Klaper, Katie Leonard, Karin Olah, Joel Parker, and Shannon Wood. Featured artists from 2011: Donna Hurt, Rebecca West Fraser, Nina Garner, Greg Hart, Alan Jackson, Salter Scharstein, and Lauren Frances Moore Evans.
Redux Contemporary Art Center, 1056 King Street – October 4, Opening 5:00-8:00 PM.
This event is free.
“Another Opening, Another Show”
The Charleston Arts Festival is very proud to announce its first-ever foray into the arena of theatre in partnering with three of the city’s premier theatre companies: What If? Productions, PURE Theatre, and the Footlight Players. Each of these unique and distinctive companies will be producing works aligned with the distinct mission of their company.
September 20-29 – Wonder of the World
What If? Productions will be mounting the regional premiere of David Lindsay-Abaire’s fantastic satire, Wonder of the World, as the opening production of their tenth anniversary season. Following its much-lauded Off-Broadway debut in 2001, Wonder of the World has received numerous revivals since and has been characterized thus: “Smart, funny, and twisted, Wonder of the World is refreshingly original.”
Nothing will prepare you for the dirty little secret Cass discovers in her husband’s sweater drawer. It is so shocking that our heroine has no choice but to flee to the honeymoon capital of the world in a frantic search for the life she thinks she missed out on. It’s a wild ride to Niagara Falls in a barrel of laughs as Cass embarks on a journey of self-discovery that has her crossing paths with blithely suicidal alcoholic Lois, a lonely tour-boat captain, a pair of bickering private detectives, and a strange caper involving a gargantuan jar of peanut butter, all of which pushes her perilously close to the water’s edge.
Directed by PURE Theatre ensemble member Erin Wilson (Stupid F**king Bird) and featuring a cast of familiar What If? favorites, including a mini-reunion of the cast of What If? cult-classic Hearts Full of Blood (Beth Curley, Tara Denton and Kyle Barnette), as well as some fabulous new faces, Wonder of the World is the bizarro world Thelma & Louis-type summer comedy that’s been missing in your life!
Queen Street Playhouse, 20 Queen Street
October 2-5 – Choir Boy
As the second offering of its landmark sixteenth season, PURE Theatre will be mounting the regional premiere of Tarrell Alvin McCraney’s acclaimed, Tony Award-nominated Choir Boy as a featured offering of the Moja Festival. Choir Boy will be directed by Sharon Graci, artistic director and co-founder of PURE Theatre.
The Charles R. Drew Prep School for Boys is dedicated to the creation of strong, ethical black men. Pharus wants nothing more than to take his rightful place as leader of the school’s legendary gospel choir. Can he find his way inside the hallowed halls of this institution if he sings in his own key? Nominated for 4 Tony Awards including Best Play
“Captivatingly Intimate!” –NY1
“Soulful and sensual!” –The Hollywood Reporter
“Choir Boy raises a joyful new voice.” –NY Times Critics Pick
