2025 FESTIVAL
A BEACON FOR THEATRICAL CREATIVITY
AUGUST 7-10, 2025
Explore the schedule of brilliant new plays and musicals coming to our local stages for our 2025 festival.
Witness the incredible talent of local young thespians on August 9 at South Carolina's Next Broadway Star.
Experience the magic of Wicked with Broadway’s Elphaba, Mary Kate Morrissey on August 10 , 2025.
Downtown Greenville’s Main Street and Falls Park host a delightful lineup of exciting acts during the festival.
2025 FESTIVAL MAIN STAGE PLAY AND MUSICAL SCHEDULE
Free tickets to this year’s developmental music stand presentations will open the general public on July 5. Donors and VIPS can reserve tickets now by clicking on the titles below. If you have any trouble with tickets, please contact Box Office Manager Anna Bowman at boxoffice.manager@scnpf.org or call during Box Office Hours, Fridays 10am-4pm at 864-2020-6129.
MERLIN RETURNS
starring Piff the Magic Dragon. A new Magic-Musical with book by John van der Put and West Hyler, and music and lyrics by Matt Schatz
The Vegas Headliner and “Magician of the Year” Piff the Magic Dragon is cast as Merlin in a revival of the 1983 Broadway flop starring Doug Henning in "Merlin Returns". The laugh-out-loud parody focuses on the backstage drama as Piff and his Vegas sidekicks come into increasing conflict with the musical theater actors playing the roles of The Queen, The Prince, and young Merlin (roles which were originally performed on Broadway by Chita Rivera, Nathan Lane, and Christian Slater). Expect jaw-dropping tricks, over-the-top characters, and an outrageous story full of the best magic tricks ever put onstage.
Thursday, August 7, at 7pm
Friday, August 8, at 7pm
SHOW TIMES
VENUE
Gunter Theatre
THE BREAK
a new Musical with music by Michael Kooman and Book & Lyrics by Christopher Dimond
The Break is a rock musical about a couple who, after ten years together, decide to take a one-month break from each other to date around, and sleep around, and see if a lifetime contract and marriage is their thing. During their 30-day break the two lovers discover significant truths about themselves and their relationships. The Break will speak to all of us who had a long-term relationship that affected our lives, but maybe wasn’t “the one” for the rest of our life.
Friday, August 8, at 8pm
Saturday, August 9, at 8pm
SHOW TIMES
VENUE
The Warehouse Theater
MARIAH, OR THE PASSAGEWAY
a new play by Rachel Bonds
Mariah, or The Passageway centers on a family who gathers for Sadie’s 70th birthday party. Her son Alex and his girlfriend arrive to surprise his mother, only to find the house is already full with Sadie’s much younger boyfriend, Ben, Alex’s struggling older brother, Nick, and a new tenant, Mariah, with whom Alex had a confusing and intimate relationship with years ago. This new play explores how our bodies struggle to carry psychic wounds, and the danger of leaving those wounds unattended.
Saturday, August 9, at 2pm
SHOW TIME
VENUE
Centre Stage
MY FAVORITE SOCIOPATH
a new play by Aurin Squire
“My Favorite Sociopath” centers on three journalism students who are willing to stretch the truth to get the best story. It is a show that explores the way media seeks to divide and enrage audiences in order to get the most eyes on a story and profoundly relevant now in the social media age. "Sociopath" was commissioned by Audible Theatre.
Sunday, August 10, at 12pm
SHOW TIME
VENUE
The Warehouse Theater
THE DROUGHT GIRL
a new play for families by Lyra Nalan
The Drought Girl follows Nemo, a fourth-grade girl who prefers to play by herself but is constantly teased by her obnoxious table-mate, Stone. Their dynamic changes with the arrival of a strange mythical girl wh possesses supernatural gifts and curses. The Drought Girl is one tale about two unlikely friendships, told from three perspectives.
Sunday, August 10, at 3 PM
SHOW TIME
VENUE
South Carolina Children’s Theatre
Become a VIP, a $150 donation guarantees early access to tickets to all Staged Readings!
EVEN MORE TO EXPLORE
SCNPF is so much more than our Main Stage new plays and musicals. From intimate VIP cabaret style evening events to daytime outdoor artistic experiences, there’s something for everyone.
SOUTH CAROLINA’S NEXT BROADWAY STAR
TONY-winner Celia Keenan-Bolger, TONY-Nominee John Ellison Conlee, Broadway Casting Director Merri Sugarman
We are proud to introduce a Scholarship contest aimed at discovering and supporting high school musical theater students in South Carolina.
The public final round will open with a performance by TONY-winner Celia Keenan Bolger and TONY-Nominee John Ellison Conlee, and then the 12 finalists will perform and receive public feedback from John and Celia as well as from Broadway Casting Director, Merri Sugarman.
The top three contestants will be awarded scholarships to further their theater education: 1st Place $5,000, 2nd Place $2,500, 3rd Place $1,000. The scholarship funds can be applied to tuition, application fees, travel expenses for theater programs, or private acting lessons and workshops.
Saturday, August 9, at 6 PM
SHOW TIME
VENUE
Governor's School for the Arts
BROADWAY CABARET
starring Wicked’s Elphaba, Mary Kate Morrissey
This once-in-a-lifetime event is a combination of a cabaret-style performance paired with a behind-the-scenes interview with Broadway celebrity Mary Kate Morrissey! Known for her show-stopping performances in Wicked and Mean Girls, Mary Kate brings her powerhouse vocals and magnetic stage presence to Greenville for one night only.
Sunday, August 10
Dinner served at 6 PM
Show begins at 7 PM
SHOW TIME
VENUE
Hyatt Regency
OUTDOOR VARIETY STAGE
SATURDAY, AUGUST 9
10:00am Paris, the Hip-Hop Juggler
11:00am Carlos Cruz and Nouveau Sud
12:00pm Street Circus
SUNDAY, AUGUST 10
FALLS PARK
5:00 Street Circus
6:00 Paris, the Hip-Hop Juggler
7:00 Carlos Cruz and Nouveau Sud
FALLS PARK
5:00pm Paris, the Hip-Hop Juggler
6:00pm Carlos Cruz and Nouveau Sud
7:00pm Street Circus
MAIN STREET
COMING FROM OUT OF TOWN?
Plan your trip to beautiful Greenville, SC! We’ve curated a list of walkable accommodations to make your festival weekend convenient and relaxing. And as an attendee of SCNPF, you’ll get a special discount!