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Look Who’s Talking

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Martha Teichner will be interviewing artistic team members from The Medium as well as The Gospel at Colonus during Spoleto’s “Conversations With” series. The Medium costume rendering by John Pascoe & photographs (The Gospel at Colonus) by Kfir Bolotinl & (Teichner) courtesy of Martha Teichner

May 25, 2011

Look Who’s Talking
With Spoleto previews beginning tomorrow night and the festival swinging into full gear on Friday, it’s ticket-purchase crunch time. Need help deciding which shows to see? Take a look at Martha Teichner’s “Conversations With” schedule

 

 

Over the last 16 years, Emmy Award-winning CBS News correspondent Martha Teichner has become known for her “Conversations With” series, featuring artists from the Spoleto season’s most fascinating productions. Use her picks as a barometer of which performances are bound to be stellar, then sit in on Teichner’s free discussions to gain insight into the creative processes behind each one.

The Medium
John Pascoe (of last year’s Flora, an Opera) designed and directs this production of the hit opera written by Pulitzer Prize winner and Spoleto Festival founder Gian Carlo Menotti. Members of the Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra help tell the tale of a World War II-era spiritual medium who cons clients but eventually falls victim to the voices that she has conjured. Learn how this drama was brought to the stage as Teichner interviews members of the artistic team. Conversation: May 31. Simons Center Recital Hall, College of Charleston, 54 Saint Philip St. Tuesday, 5pm. Free. Performance: May 28-June 10. Dock Street Theatre, 135 Church St. Tuesday & Thursday-Saturday, 8pm; Sunday, 8:30pm; Monday, 3:30pm. $130-$25.

The Cripple of Inishmaan
Hear about this dark, award-winning comedy straight from the members of Ireland’s notable Druid Theatre Company, who are making their Spoleto debut. Unexpected plot twists unfurl as word spreads though a remote island off the coast of Ireland that a Hollywood director is shooting a film on location. No one is more determined to audition than “Cripple” Billy, who’s also on a quest to find himself. Conversation: June 6. Simons Center Recital Hall, College of Charleston, 54 Saint Philip St. Monday, 5pm. Free. Performance: May 26-June 12. Dock Street Theatre, 135 Church St. Days & times vary. $75-$25.

The Gospel at Colonus
Who isn’t abuzz over this uplifting, foot-stomping performance blending gospel music with Sophocles’ Oedipus at Colonus? Music by Academy Award- and Pulitzer Prize-nominated composer Bob Telson is belted out by a chorus of more than 40 voices, including the Grammy-winning Blind Boys of Alabama, the Soul Stirrers, and the Steeles. You’re sure to feel the electricity as the artistic team joins Teichner to chat about the show’s creation. Conversation: June 9. Gaillard Auditorium, 77 Calhoun St. Thursday, 6:30pm. Free. Performance: June 8-12. Gaillard Auditorium, 77 Calhoun St. Wednesday, 7:30pm; Thursday-Saturday, 8pm; Sunday, 2pm. $85-$20.

Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
Meet Trombone Shorty, the Grammy Award nominee who’s recently begun receiving worldwide attention. His New Orleans roots inspired the high-energy mix of jazz, funk-rock, and a little hip-hop that he’ll perform at the Cistern. Conversation: June 10. Avery Research Center, College of Charleston, 125 Bull St. Friday, 5pm. Free. Performance: June 9 & 10. College of Charleston Cistern Yard, 66 George St. Thursday & Friday, 9pm. $45-$30.

For more information on these and other Spoleto Festival USA events, call (843) 722-2764 or click here.

To find out which Spoleto events experts from the College of Charleston can’t wait to catch, click here.

To view more upcoming events, click here.