Midlife Monologues™ Charleston Builds Momentum for National Movement of Transformative Storytelling for Thousands of Women Across Generations

Low Country actors, museum director and journalist join cast expressing the aching beauty, ruptures and potential for rebirth in a woman's life; Livestream unites women in nationwide viewing 

CHARLESTON, S.C., Feb. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Midlife Monologues^™ — the groundbreaking multi-genre ensemble of authors, actors, singers, and artists — presents its third critically acclaimed showcase of transformative storytelling March 12 as part of a national movement to illuminate the experiences along the arc of a woman's life. With soul-sustaining performances from a growing cast of creatives, Midlife Monologues will inspire 1,000 women across three generations at Charleston Music Hall and many more on livestream. Charleston's PURE Theatre and Buxton Books are key partners in the Music Hall event, which is sponsored by Alloy Women's Health. The livestream is 7:00 PM EST March 12 and sponsored by Flow Space, a SHE Media brand focused on whole life health. Tickets to both are available at https://www.midlife-monologues.com/

Originated by producer Kerri Devine, writer and founder of the midlife community @hotincharelston, Midlife Monologues lifts its originating presence in Charleston, a Southern hub for culture and literature, to become part of a national production, with a new original script and performances planned in NY and LA under the artistic direction of actor Constance Zimmer and documentary filmmaker Abby Epstein. Devine will be a principal collaborator and producer in this national artistic community.

For the March 12 Charleston show, directed by Sharon Graci of PURE Theatre, Devine announces the following new cast members: Shanola Hampton, Summerville SC-raised star of the NBC drama, Found, and long running Showtime hit Shameless; Dr. Tonya Maria Matthews, global leader and President & CEO of the International African American Museum; Margaret Anne Florence, actor of TV, film and stage and College of Charleston graduate; Melissa Faliveno, author of Tomboyland, a Best Book by NPR and Oprah Magazine; Deena Lang, humorist and mental health champion; and Carolyn Murray, award-winning anchor of WCBD-TV and women's health advocate, who returns as emcee.

These cast members join Midlife Monologues ensemble performers: Kate Baer, a Number One New York Times-bestselling author and poet; Mary Laura Philpott, NPR and New York Times list-topping memoirist; Tara Stringfellow, "Read with Jenna" bestselling author; Abi Carter, singer-songwriter and 2024 American Idol winner; Kelley Jakle, Woman of the Hour and Pitch Perfect actor and singer-songwriter; Quiana Parler, Charleston's two-time Grammy-winning vocalist and member of the musical group Ranky Tanky; Hayes Warner, pop star and People Magazine Emerging Artist to Watch; Stephanie Hunt, lifestyle author, journalist and community leader; Maria White, award-winning potter, filmmaker and health advocate; Devine, an award-winning essayist and community builder; and Graci, PURE Theatre co-founder and artistic director. PURE ensemble actors, noted stage and voice star Joy Vandervort Cobb, and Tonya Williams and Emily Wilhoit, will also appear.

Inspired by memoirist, Patricia Hampl's mantra, "You tell me your story, and somehow, I get mine," Midlife Monologues, part play, part pep-rally, is designed to inspire women to confront uncertainty, loss and new beginnings with wisdom, self-compassion and the support of their families and communities.

"Our mission is to ignite dialogue and contribute to the exchange of ideas, aspirations, and inspirations of our community. We are pleased to work with Hot in Charleston to bring Midlife Monologues to the stage for the second year," Graci said.

"My goal has always been to help women feel seen and supported in their life's journey. Acknowledging midlife in all its aching beauty, with its ruptures and potential for rebirth, must be part of the stories we share as we navigate our own path and support the women coming next," Devine said.

The show, framed as an intergenerational dialogue, will benefit adolescent mental health through The Jed Foundation, maternal mental health through Postpartum Support Charleston and Mugs for Moms, and menopause education through Menopause Mandate US, chaired by Naomi Watts, where Devine is a national advocate.

Communities whose members are participating in the livestream include: Never Empty Nest, The Memory Circle, Hey Birdie, Morph Mom, Hot Flashes & Cool Topics, Pink Wisdom, and Wisdom & Words.

Tickets: midlife-monologues.com
Livestream tickets: livestream

Media Contact:
Lynthia Romney
[email protected]

SOURCE Hot in Charleston