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Columbia theater in 2024: Local productions were ambitious this year. Did it pay off?


Columbia theater in 2024: Local productions were ambitious this year. Did it pay off?

2024 was a year of ambition for local theater.

It was not so much daring subject matter in play selection, but rather the willingness to tackle big plays, famous plays and plays that might seem daunting for the finite resources of a local nonprofit. From "CATS" and "Oliver!" to "Cinderella" and "Beauty and the Beast," blockbusters abounded.

There was also a conscious nod to what has gone before, with plenty of revivals from theatrical yesteryear. Every major theater in Columbia and its suburbs produced at least one show dating to -- or based on source material dating to -- the 1970's or earlier, with some stretching all the way back to ancient Greece.

Both Trustus and Town theatres benefitted from sure hands on the control panel, with Corey Langley taking over as permanent technical director at the former, and Jeremy Hansard settling in as Facility Director and Lighting Design chief at the latter. Both gentlemen have turned in many fine performances as actors at Town, giving them both an actor's perspective, and the opportunity to collaborate with guest artists and designers for specific behind-the-scenes tasks.

Children's theater woes

Debra Leopard, for decades the face of Village Square Theatre and the driving force behind the group's children's programs, unexpectedly left the Lexington nonprofit in February. VST's longtime artistic director landed on her feet, however, helming Columbia Children's Theatre's summer production of "Seussical," and continuing classes in theater arts under her own brand.

Children's programming is often the key to balancing a theater's budget, so the urgent appeal for funds from Columbia Children's Theatre in November came as a shock to many. If anything, CCT's popularity and creativity have skyrocketed in recent years, but an unexpected and hasty relocation from the group's former home in Richland Mall when that facility was sold put an inordinate strain on a let's-just-break-even budget. Let's hope philanthropic Santa smiled on them this Christmas.

Musicals and Musicales

Local audiences have an unquenchable thirst for musicals -- which are expensive to produce and require significant investment of rehearsal time -- so many theaters have begun cabaret shows featuring favorite singers performing beloved show tunes. Some have grown beyond specific theaters, with performers establishing their own brands, such as the monthly King/Henderson performances at the CMFA ArtSpace on Pulaski Street, the revues presented by the Broad River Arts Center at the Virginia Wingard church and the homages by "Columbia's Rat Pack" to the suave stylings of Sinatra, Davis and Martin.

Inflation hits theaters

A less welcome trend is the inescapable specter of inflation, with prices creeping up by a few dollars almost everywhere. Most groups try to keep admission in the $20-25 range, but musicals can cost more, so be ready to pay as much as $40 per ticket. Pro tip: ask for a senior/military/student discount if those apply. Pay in person, and in advance, in order to avoid online service charges and at-the-door mark-up. The champ here is the South Carolina Shakespeare Company. Thanks to funding from the City of Columbia, their outdoor performances are free, although there are just two annually, and you have to bring your own chair or blanket, refreshments and bug spray.

Our theater writer's 2024 favorites

One writer can't see every show, especially when a pervasive, self-destructive trend among theaters continues -- four, five or more plays have been opening on the same night and running opposite each other.

With the usual disclaimer that I missed most of the shows in the suburbs, and that this is in no way comprehensive, here are a few of my favorites this year:

Best 2,500-year-old, female-centric play by Sophocles staged in early October: TIE between USC's "Antigone" and SCSC's "Electra." Kudos to theater artists dipping into the classics, where we find the archetypes of primal issues that confront society today.

Most unexpectedly beautiful, operatic performances in a non-opera: "The Secret Garden," staged in July by the Broadway Bound Musical Theatre Project. The cream of the crop from among Midlands voices -- including Clayton King, Lanny Spires, Tracy Steele and Caitlin Thomas White -- shook the rafters with all the tragedy, joy and wonderment of this timeless tale.

Best under-the-radar revival of a Stephen Schwartz musical on a shoestring budget: TIE. "Pippin" was performed by both the Children's Theatre's CCTeens and USC's undergraduate "Off Off Broadway" troupe. The "Wicked" composer's 1972 allegory is written as a commedia-style show-within-a-show, making it ideal for any age to perform. The titular son of Charlemagne may have given up on his dreams -- avoiding being besieged in later years by Ragnar and sons if you follow history -- but both casts of young adults captured the allegorical nuances of humankind's search for meaning in life through madcap clowning, beautiful melodies and snazzy dance moves.

Best Dramatic Moment: Patrick Dodds in "Stupid F****ing Bird" at Trustus. No one can portray a flawed protagonist undergoing an emotional meltdown like Dodds.

Best Comedic Moment: Alex Cowsert as composer Barry Mann in "Beautiful" at Town. The show was about Carole King, and Heather Hinson Miller captivated the audience with a stunning rendition of "Will You Love Me Tomorrow," but Cowsert then stole the show trying to top her, as he harmonized on all the "bop-shoo-wop" parts of an absent 4-girl backup group in "He's Sure the Boy I Love," complete with nonsensical improvised choreography.

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