CHARLOTTE – Traffic, airport security lines, social media drama, rising gas prices and sports teams all have one thing in common. Eventually, they become material for “Charlotte Squawks.”
Returning for its 21st year, Blumenthal Arts presents the anticipated return of “Charlotte Squawks: Hold My Beer!” now through June 28 at Booth Playhouse, featuring a refreshed lineup of sketches, musical parodies and rapid-fire satire inspired by life in the Queen City.Â
Blending the energy of “Saturday Night Live” and the spectacle of a live musical, the locally written production combines sketch comedy, parody songs and audience interaction into a show that changes every year (sometimes, every week).
Mike Collins and Brian Kahn created the summer tradition.
“Somewhere along the way, we hit a nerve,†said Collins, co-creator and director of “Charlotte Squawks.” “Audiences have grown more loyal every year, and that's incredibly gratifying. There's something special about a room full of Charlotteans all laughing at the same traffic headache, neighborhood debate or bizarre cultural moment at the same time.â€Â
This year's production features a full returning cast of local performers, ranging from talent who have been with the show since its earliest years to performers who joined the cast more recently. According to the team, that mix of longtime veterans and new performers helps keep the show fresh and reflects the personalities and perspectives that make up Charlotte itself.
Each year, the creative process begins months before opening night, with brainstorming sessions centered around portraying local and national headlines, culture and everyday frustrations on stage.Â
Six weeks before opening, the creative team, cast, choreographer, and musical director Bill Congdon move into rehearsals, where material is refined, staged and often rewritten, leading up to opening night.
“After 21 years, it's still a bit hard to believe this is something we do every summer,†Kahn said. “There's a rhythm to it now, but it never feels routine. People joke about leaving, people joke about staying, and somehow we end up right back in rehearsal, building something completely new out of whatever Charlotte has thrown at us that year. It's familiar and unpredictable at the same time, and that's probably why it's lasted this long.â€Â
Over the years, the production has continued to grow, with larger musical numbers, expanded staging and increasingly elaborate costumes becoming part of the entire experience. Audience participation also remains a signature part of the show, with attendees serving as the “12th member,†the team says.Â
“For more than two decades, ‘Charlotte Squawks’ has captured the humor and shared experiences that makes Charlotte undeniably unique,†said Tom Gabbard, CEO of Blumenthal Arts. “It's one of those productions that brings longtime Charlotteans and newcomers together, where everyone can relate to the sketches on stage and laugh collectively at ourselves.â€Â
Visit blumenthalarts.org for more information and tickets.
