Charlotte Repertory Theatre opens its Eleventh Annual Charlotte Festival/New Plays in America Series, running Feb. 4-9 at the Booth Playhouse at the NationsBank Corporate Center in North Carolina.
Each year, CRT's literary department reads more than 300 scripts before choosing the plays, which are presented as staged readings with post performance discussions following the shows. The intent is to create an environment for playwrights to hear how their words transfer from the paper to the stage, and to receive vital feedback to develop their work .
This year's festival includes four major plays, and two smaller showcases that are free when tickets to one of the Festival readings are purchased. Shadow War is by W. Colin McKay. The plays explores the inner lives of the people involved with the Philippine Insurrection, which followed the Spanish-American war, as well as the historical context of the battle. Shadow War opens the Festival on Feb. 4 at 7:30 PM, and runs Feb. 8, 3 PM as well.
The Guy Upstairs is a satirical play by Mark Eisman, depicting a man who encounters a near death experience with a video camera, and is thought to have the first video-tape of God. The Guy Upstairs runs Feb. 5 at 7:30 PM and Feb. 8 at 7:30 PM.
Have You Seen Caliban? by C.P. Stancich, takes place a decade after Prospero disarmed his enemies with forgiveness at the conclusion of Shakespeare's The Tempest. It explores whether or not he made the right decision, and the rest of the tale is told in 17th century Milan, and will be read Feb. 6 at 7:30 PM, and Feb. 9 at 1 PM. Sister Calling My Name by Buzz McLaughlin, explores the nature of love and forgiveness, when an old figure from Michael's life returns to challenge his views and conscience. Sister will be read Feb. 7 at 7:30 PM, and Feb. 9 at 4 PM.
The two free showcases of the Festival are the one woman show I Might As Well Live by Susan Marrash-Minnerly (Feb. 7; 10 PM), and the one man work-in-progress, brainwrap, [sic] by Glenn Hutchinson, Feb. 8; 8 PM.
Tickets are $7.50 per performance, $25 for a festival pass. For tickets or more information about Charlotte Repertory Theatre, call (704) 372-1000, or refer to the regional listing on Playbill On-Line.
--By Blair Glaser
