Our Special Sauce

Our fans call it the “34 West Magic.” The moment in each show that brings the house down.

We created a “car wash” using two fuzzy pillows, a steering wheel and chairs! STAYIN’ ALIVE, 2022

We use few props. Fewer actors. Even our audience size is small. Only 60 seats!

But we intended that way. It’s all about imagination and good storytelling. Our stories are dynamic and full of life. And our actors are high caliber.

So when we grab two pillows and a steering wheel, we’re easily transported to a 1970’s car wash.

Two phones and a table created a sound proof visiting room at a local jail! MOONSHINE CHRISTMAS, 2018

And the audience goes crazy. It’s triumphant when it happens.

Because the “magic” is the audience and actor working together in a moment of imagination. Where nothing becomes something. That “ah ha!” moment makes you smile, makes you laugh, gives you goose bumps.

Actor Becca Anderson gets caught in a hail storm -- of ping pong balls! CAN’T BUY ME LOVE, 2019

Audiences always comment on how their mouths hurt from smiling so much. Others refer to 34 West as their happy place.

We believe this is because of that creative partnership with the audience and actor. It’s like we’re all children once again, playing in the sandbox.

Even though there’s no audience participation in the show, you still feel very much a part of the story.

Actor/writer/owner Jeff Querin in a 5 minute courtroom argument with himself! IT’S CHRISTMAS, BABE, 2019

It’s addictive. Audiences often return to see the same show with other friends. Or they bring their parents next time. They just want to share the joy they experienced with everyone they know.

It’s a wonderful feeling to sit in a room full of people and feel something uplifting and inspired.

It truly is a happy place where dreams come true and child-like optimism reigns supreme! (hyperbole much?!)

To experience for yourself…

The Goat

Unmatched. A leader. And like our shows, surprisingly wonderful.

Ladies and gentlemen, we present our Dill Popcorn.

Seven years ago, we opened with a dream. Enjoy a nice beverage while watching an incredible show. But this nuanced menu item upstages the actors each night.

Who knew it was such a big dill??

Want to blow your mind? Mix the Caramel and Dill together!

We go through great lengths to provide fresh air-popped popcorn for each performance.

Butter, Caramel, and yes, Dill Pickle.

You’ll either love it or hate it. No in-between. However, it’s become our single most requested popcorn of our repeat patrons.

Our MVP. The Goat. The embodiment of the shows we write:

Original. Surprising. Totally addictive.

Our shows are innovative and unforgettable. Why shouldn’t our bar be the same?!

From the berry-infused ice cubes to the extraordinary malt balls to the dill-icious popcorn, we absolutely promise you’ll find what you need to have a one-of-a-kind theatrical experience.

As you can see, it’s a big dill.

For tickets…

Character Matters!

The set could collapse. Our costumes could fall off. But if the characters are solid, we can do anything.

Our ADDICTED series with actors Becca Anderson and Stephen Wayne; the “Sam and Diane” of 34 West.

That’s been the secret ingredient of our downtown Charleston venue. Fully realized characters that can be inserted into any scenario. Like your favorite sitcom characters in an all-new episode.

You want to see the on-again, off-again couple (above) in different situations: Go to prom. Attend the office Christmas party. Organize their co-worker’s wedding.

FYI, we wrote an entire show for each of those scenarios. And each production SOLD OUT every night.

Our LOVE POTION series with actor Jeff Querin as Marty Funkyballoo.

Because it’s always REAL people in unbelievable situations.

Here’s a great example of our writing… we discovered early on that owner Jeff Querin (above) can play the neurotic hero really well. He’s an underdog. He’s charming. He’s wholly optimistic- which is a rarity these days.

And audiences loved it. They hurt from smiling after 90 minutes, because he was that freakin’ adorable.

So we developed new shows to further the story of Marty Funkyballoo. Now he has his own ever-expanding “universe”, if you will.

Our MOONSHINE series with actors John Black, Jeff Querin, and Stephen Wayne.

Our ADDICTED series, LOVE POTION series, MOONSHINE series. All have reoccurring characters that could read the phone book, basically, and audiences would still be captivated. Not that we would ever do that but you get the idea!

The moral of this blog? All you need is a believable character.

Our LOVE POTION series with actor Becca Anderson.

P. S… a transformer exploded downtown one night and we were without electricity. The audience was already seated. It was ten minutes before showtime. What do we do?

We performed the show that night without electricity or fanfare. Just bare bones. And the audience loved it because it was honest… and real.

Years later, people still talk about that night being one of the most magical nights at the theater.

Why? Because good storytelling is all you need :)

For tickets…

Our ADDICTED series played to sold-out audiences for 12 weeks!

London <-> Charleston

It’s cheaper than flying to London six times a year…

Twelfth Night, National Theatre of London

A few years, back owners Jeff and Steve wanted to get season tickets to the National Theatre and fly to London to see their newest shows.

But that’s insanity. And expensive. So they decided to bring the National Theatre to Charleston.

Broadcast live from the West End

They invested in a state of the art sound system and digital projector. They secured exclusive rights to NTLIVE broadcasts. And they made sure there was plenty of Dill Popcorn standing by.

Then, for just a few nights a year, something special happens. People from all over Charleston come out of the woodwork, sit together and screen a live broadcast of a highly anticipated new production direct from London.

Andrew Garfield in Angels in America, an NTLive broadcast

We like to say it’s kind of like “movie night.” Popcorn and wine are involved. You’re very close to the performance in our very intimate venue.

No, Andrew Garfield isn’t actually in the same room with you. Ralph Fiennes will not be there in person...

But it’s the next best thing. And that’s more than enough- better actually. Because of the size of the image and the proximity of our seats to the screen (we only seat 50!), it’s like having a front row seat to the most celebrated productions in the world.

Many of our younger crowd prefer to be super close in the stage seats!

Mingle with our actors. Meet new friends. It’s always a very low key Sunday night in our vibrant city.

Hope to see you there! Here’s a listing of upcoming broadcasts!

Sunday Night, May 1 at 7pm

Summer Sellout Returns

We specialize in funk. And quirk. But make no mistake. We’re all heart.

Writers/Actors Stephen Wayne, Jeff Querin with Rebecca René Kelley

The cast of our 14-week summer sellout return for a very limited time this January and February.

A 1970’s soap star must face his impending doom… and his monstrous ex-wife, in this hilarious musical comedy.

“It’s absolutely bonkers,” states Wayne, who plays the aging actor. “Its slapstick, it’s heartfelt, it’s completely random. It’s us!”

Actor Stephen Wayne

Watching any of our shows is like watching a 75 minute long episode of your favorite TV sitcom, except with music… and higher energy… and the actors play multiple roles.

STAYIN’ ALIVE is no exception. Inspired by such classics as TOOTSIE, 9 to 5, SOAP DISH, and THE CAROL BURNETT SHOW, co-creators Jeff and Steve wanted to make what they refer to as a “disco-infused soap opera.” Something chalk full of camp but still deals with real people and real issues.

And that’s really the most significant thing that separates 34 West from the pack. Even though the characters are often LARGER THAN LIFE, you can still identify with them.

Even though they’re zaney (think Ron Burgundy or Ace Ventura), you can still relate.

That’s the magic of 34 West.

That’s the reason this particular show sold as well as it did last year. It’s absolutely funky and totally relatable.

If you haven’t seen a performance yet, make your decisions soon. Seats are selling quickly.

And if you already have, why not introduce your neighbors or mom? You’ll definitely enjoy the quirkiness in a completely different way the second time!

For tickets to STAYIN’ ALIVE…