Documentary Coming Soon!

Filmmaker Nick Fancher recently suggested to Jeff and Steve (owners-writers-actors of 34 West) that they tell their story- - about their lives together while navigating amish country, performing in a prison and creating a vibrant boutique theater in downtown Charleston, SC.

After several weeks of texts and zoom calls, Fancher and artist Dylan Menges arrived this week to document the guys’ story.

Actors were interviewed. Audiences were interrogated. We rocked the house with a live taping of GROOVY KINDA LOVE. And copious amounts of 34 West pimento cheese was consumed.

We’ll keep you posted on the release date of the documentary. In the meantime, we hope you get a chance to snag tickets for the current musical GROOVY KINDA LOVE playing through December 31. It’s funny, subversive, heart-warming, and slightly kinky.

At least, that’s what Jeff and Steve said. Who knows what else they said on tape???

Local, Social, and Totally Charming

We think any musical is better if you have a drink in your hand. Whether that’s a nice sparkling water or one of our Paso Robles wines (One of the owners and actors, Stephen Wayne, is from that region of California and our selection of wines is a homage to his hometown).

But the whole concept of our boutique theater is that you can enjoy something at your table while taking in a creatively innovative show. You’ll feel like your apart of something truly Charleston— local, social, and totally charming :)

Because the experience begins the moment you walk through the doors. You’ve entered a room where works of art are being created on a regular basis. That kind of environment requires positivity, affirmation, and celebration. And nothing helps that process like refreshments!

Enjoy one of our popular champagne cocktails or famously obscure Dill Popcorn (pairs excellently with a glass of white!). We sure hope you can join us this fall for GROOVY KINDA LOVE in downtown Charleston. You’re face may even hurt from smiling :)

See you then!

Owners are the actors (and bartenders!)

That’s part of the charm. When you arrive, you’ll be seated the by the actors and writers of the show. Beforehand, you’ll walk over to our adorable little bar and get a drink from them as well. Jeff Querin and Stephen Wayne do it all.

They’ve been producing-writing-acting in all the shows since 2014. It’s a challenge to serve and greet audiences and then jump on stage and become completely different people. But to accomplish each with aplomb and finesse is a whole other level, and a large reason why the troupe sells out regularly.

The musicals are captivating, the stories innovative and hilarious. We’re rooting for each character as they encounter heartache and triumph. By the end of the night you’re satiated with a compelling and truly inspired production.

And you completely forgot it was from the guy who made your drink.

Small theater, Big Shows!

This pic was taken in the back of the theater (about 10 feet from the stage). Our venue seats 60. So when we say that there’s “not a bad seat in the house,” we really mean it. With small bistro tables surrounding 3 sides of the stage, everyone is guaranteed an intimate, immersive show; without the terrifying prospect of being dragged on stage or asked to sing!

You’ll feel like you’re in the story, not a part of it. That’s part of the magic of 34 West. The intimacy of the venue. The believability of the characters in the story. It’s all very real, very humorous and unforgettable.

And if you’re visiting us for the first time, that’s our hope for you as well. That' you have a magical, unforgettable experience in downtown Charleston.

Scripted or improv?

Yes. The short answer is both. Our shows are styled as “scripted improv”, where everything is planned and written with the ability to ad-lib in the moment… which happens nightly at 34 West. Our current production GROOVY KINDA LOVE features these skills in action at every turn. Imagine being in the studio audience of your favorite sitcom and something unplanned happens. Without fail, the audience goes crazy with an immediate current of electricity flowing through the cast and crew. That single moment becomes the standout in an already entertaining evening.

That’s the secret ingredient of 34 West and the essential characteristic that sets us apart from the pack. We hope you’ll be able to experience one of these moments soon.

FYI, the holidays fill up very quickly so we recommend making your plans sooner than later! Tickets…