Spoleto Festival Takes on EUGENE ONEGIN, WAITING FOR GODOT, and More

Festival General Director Nigel Redden announced today the program for the 41st annual Spoleto Festival USA, taking place May 26 through June 11, 2017, in Charleston, South Carolina. "On the heels of a hugely exciting 40th season, this year's Festival promises to build on that momentum," says Redden. "Charleston's rich history in the arts comes alive during each Festival, and we will explore that history and add to it again in 2017."

The 2017 Festival features more than 160 ticketed events, held in 12 venues around Charleston that reflect the city's past and present-including the intimate Woolfe Street Playhouse, the historic Dock Street Theatre, and the recently renovated Charleston Gaillard Center. Again in 2017, the Gaillard will host the Festival's opera, this year a new production of Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin. The Dock Street Theatre will be the venue for the US premiere of Vivaldi's opera Farnace, as well as renowned Irish theater company Druid's production of Waiting for Godot. Award-winning Garry Hynes, Druid's artistic director, will direct both Dock Street performances. A few blocks uptown, three other internationally acclaimed Theater Productions will be held in College of Charleston's Emmett Robinson Theatre: Blind Summit Theatre's The Table, Aurélia Thierrée's Murmurs, and Rezo Gabriadze's Ramona.

Also on the College of Charleston campus, Jazz Master Dee Dee Bridgewater will perform Festival-eve and opening-night concerts at the picturesque Cistern Yard as part of the Wells Fargo Jazz series, while the Sottile Theatre welcomes a range of innovative contemporary dance companies from around the globe, including France's ballet-meets-hip-hop duo Wang Ramirez, Israel's L-E-V, and the New York-basEd Gallim Dance.

The American Express Woolfe Street Series will offer a wide variety of events at the Upper King-area industrial building-turned-playhouse, including a world premiere from tap choreographer and performer Ayodele Casel, three programs of Spoleto Festival USA Director of Orchestral Activities John Kennedy's contemporary Music in Time series, and the world premiere of Cinema and Sound, featuring pianist Stephen Prutsman.

The Wells Fargo Festival Finale will take place across the Ashley River at historic Middleton Place, and offer a full lineup of local and regional bands headlined by The Revivalists, as well as access to the estate's lush grounds and scenic gardens.

The 2017 program and an event calendar can be found here. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Wednesday, January 18, at 10:00am by phone at 843.579.3100 and online at spoletousa.org. A donor pre-sale begins January 9. Tickets can be purchased in person through the Spoleto Festival USA Box Office at the Charleston Gaillard Center (95 Calhoun Street) beginning Monday, May 1. Additional details can be found below.

Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Wednesday, January 18, at 10:00am online at spoletousa.org and by phone at 843.579.3100.

For contributors to Spoleto Festival USA, a donor pre-sale starts on January 9, providing exclusive access to tickets and premium seating for the 2017 season. Access is based on contribution level; more information on the donor pre-sale and how to donate can be found at spoletousa.org.

On-site box office operations will be located at the Charleston Gaillard Center beginning Monday, May 1. Tickets may be purchased in person Monday through Sunday, 9:00am to 5:00pm.

The Festival offers subscription packages to the Bank of America Chamber Music series. Subscribers choose from three packages-one including all 11 programs, one for six programs, and one for five programs. Subscribers have access to premium seats in a consistent location for every performance. Other benefits include special exchange privileges and early program announcements. For additional information, contact the patron services manager at 843.720.1114 or visit spoletousa.org/chamber-music-subscriptions.

Go Spoleto! accommodation and ticket packages are available in partnership with four premium Charleston hotels. For more information, visit spoletousa.org/gospoleto.

Festival gift certificates can be purchased in any amount and used towards performance tickets, merchandise such as Festival posters, or towards a charitable contribution to Spoleto Festival USA. To purchase gift certificates, order online at spoletousa.org or by phone at 843.579.3100.

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