Theatre

CofC Theatre to Stage Coming-of-Age Story of Young Gay Man in the South, “Marcus; Or the Secret of Sweet”

Published

2 years ago

March 20, 2023

By: CofC Media

CofC Stages at the College of Charleston’s Department of Theatre and Dance will present its season finale, “Marcus; or the Secret of Sweet,” by Tarell Alvin McCraney.

Marcus is 16 and “sweet.” Days before Hurricane Katrina strikes the housing projects of Louisiana, the currents of his life converge, overflowing into his close-knit community and launching the search for his sexual and personal identity on a cultural landscape infused with mysterious family creeds. “Marcus; or the Secret of Sweet” is a beautiful view into the life of a young man who just wants to feel like he belongs.

DETAILS: The play will take place at Sottile Theatre (44 George St.) on April 14 and 15 at 7:30 p.m. and April 16 at 2 p.m. Recommended for ages 12+. Individual tickets are $20 for adults; $15 for seniors (60+), military/veteran, youth (under 18); $12 for College of Charleston students, faculty/staff. Info and ticket links are at go.cofc.edu/marcus, or at the George Street Box Office: gsbo@cofc.edu or (843) 953-4726.

Directed by theatre instructor Gary DeWitt Marshall, “Marcus; or the Secret of Sweet” features a cast and crew composed of CofC students, faculty, and guest artists. Design faculty members Lauren Duffie and Jonathan Wentz serve as lighting designer and scenic designer, respectively. Guest artist Ambernice Tolliver and theatre major Zach Kobylarz serve as costume designers and theatre major Eli Salas serves as sound designer. The cast is led by theatre major Gee Barber and includes local actor and musician Tonya Smalls Williams as a guest artist.

Tarell Alvin McCraney is an American playwright, screenwriter, and actor. He is the chair of playwriting at the Yale School School of Drama and a member of the Steppenwolf Theatre Ensemble. He wrote the Brother/Sister trio of plays, which are set in the Louisiana projects and explore Yoruba mythology. The triptych of plays includes “In the Red and Brown Water,” “The Brothers Size,” and “Marcus; or the Secret of Sweet.” The plays are not in chronological order, but rather are “in conversation” with one another. McCraney explains, “Each play began a different way – inspired by my brothers and sisters and all of them are dedicated to them. They are about interconnected relationships and the complexities of those.”