“This is theatre rather unlike anything you might have seen…unusual, unconventional and eye-opening…Everyman is no barrel of laughs, being a morality play about death. Everybody tells the same tale, with equal emotional heft; but it is not only provocative and involving, it is also funny. Wildly funny, in fact.” —Huffington Post.
“…[a] very meta and saucy adaptation…” —Time Out NY.
“[Everybody] fills the heart in a new and unexpected way.” —The New Yorker.
Finalist for the 2018 Pulitzer Prize and inspired by Everyman, a 15th Century, anonymous morality play, Everybody is a topsy-turvy, madcap examination of the human condition. Penned by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, the play has a wry sense of 21st century metatheatricality and dry humor mixed with “actor’s nightmare” styled mishaps and crossed communications. While this play brings the emotional heft of Everyman, it is wildly funny and provocative, asking us to examine and question why we make the choices we make and how to best live life in our modern world.
The production is presented by CofC Stages in the College of Charleston’s Department of Theatre and Dance and directed by new instructor Gary Dewitt Marshall. With professional experience in directing as well as acting in television, the silver screen, and Broadway, Marshall now applies his knowledge and skills in an academic setting.
CofC Stages will produce the performance outdoors in the College’s lush Stern Center Garden. Department chair Janine McCabe shares, “It’s been nearly 20 years since our department has presented a main-season play outdoors, and this will be our first production mounted at the picturesque Stern Center Garden. We are excited to broaden our student and audience experience with this actor-driven ensemble piece outside on our beautiful campus. The students are doing exceptional work, and I am thrilled to introduce the talents of our new faculty member Gary Dewitt Marshall to the campus and Charleston community through his direction of this production.”
Movement and character work are supported by Director of Dance Gretchen McLaine and Director of Theatre Vivian Appler. Theatre students – including majors and non-majors – make up the cast and crew. Guest artist Caleb Garner leads a collaborative team of design students on scenery, costume, lighting and sound design including Eddie Frye, Master of Arts in Teaching (Performing Arts) student Jessica Shamble, and Chris Warzynski.
DETAILS: Performances of Everybody will take place at Stern Center Garden (71 George St.) on Thursday, March 17 and Friday, March 18 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, March 19 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, March 20 at 5:00 p.m.
Please be advised that this performance is occurring outdoors and a majority of the seating is on the steps of the garden patio. Patrons are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets if they so desire. A small amount of chairs will be available for patrons that require them.
RAIN LOCATION: In the event of inclement weather, performances of Everybody will be held in the Chapel Theatre (172 Calhoun Street).
CofC Stages is excited that Everybody will be its first full-length play that incorporates live American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters. The ASL-interpreted performance will be the 2:00 matinee on March 19th.
Individual tickets are $20 adults; $15 seniors (60+), military, and youth under 18; $12 CofC students, faculty, and staff. Purchase tickets ONLINE or through the George Street Box Office: gsbo@cofc.edu or (843) 953-4726.