Press Release
91 seasons of continuous live theatre and survival in Charleston is already plenty to celebrate for any one organization, but for Footlight Players, in residence at the Queen Street Playhouse, it’s also an opportunity to grow and try out new theatrical experiences to offer to their patrons.
Kicking off the theatre’s 91st season is the company’s upcoming MainStage production of the Terrance McNally-penned musical The Full Monty, directed by the theatre’s new Artistic Director Kyle Barnette. Based on the cult British film of the same name, the musical follows the trials and tribulations of six down on their luck and recently unemployed Buffalo, NY steelworkers who devise a plan to reclaim their confidence, sense of purpose and their family’s respect by taking matters into their own hands and exposing themselves to a new sense of freedom as a one night only, blue-collar all male strip troupe called Hot Metal. The musical with one of Broadway’s most anticipated final show moments opens August 12th at the Queen Street Playhouse.
Footlight’s MainStage season will continue in October with the stage adaptation of the beloved Stephen King novel Misery, followed by the return of the company’s original holiday show A Very Merry Footlight Holiday Special.
2023 will begin with the MLK centric drama The Mountaintop, followed by the modern comedy God of Carnage and wrapping up the season will be Monty Python’s Spamalot. The season will also welcome a lineup of new guest directors, along with Barnette helming The Full Monty and God of Carnage, the theatre will welcome CofC professor Gary Dewitt Marshall (The Mountaintop), Clark Haywood (Misery), and Shannon Horn (Spamalot) all taking their turns guiding shows throughout Season 91.
This season Footlight will also debut two new seasonal entertainment ventures beginning with Footlight: Act Two, a short run of smaller shows and events curated for a more mature audience including the return of The Rocky Horror Experience (curtailed the last two seasons due to COVID), Who’s Holiday, a one-woman show about Cindy Lou Who, now a chain-smoking bleached blonde living in a trailer on Mt. Crumpet and the two person musical The Last Five Years.
Beginning in September, Footlight will also introduce Sunday Night Speakeasy shows, transforming their modest lobby into a cozy and very intimate cabaret space with café tables, bar service, and a lineup of some of Charleston’s most engaging vocalists, musicians, and more sharing their talent and stories to a very limited audience.
Season 91 begins on August 12th with the premier of The Full Monty at the Queen Street Playhouse. Tickets are on sale now for all shows at footlightplayers.net or by calling 843.722.4487.
