Pure play a search for life

So, from time to time you've been guilty of being delinquent in returning a library book.

Is this such a big deal?

In truth, it is a very big deal to the librarian hero of the play "Underneath the Lintel," as he describes his journey in search of the miscreant who is responsible for leaving a 113-year overdue "Baedeker's Travel Guide" in the overnight depository at his library.

Presented by Pure Theatre, Glen Berger's "Underneath the Lintel" will star Rodney Lee Rogers as the librarian whose life is forever altered when he attempts to find the culprit to levy a hefty overdue fine. In the course of his search, he goes through China, Australia, Germany and America. During his travels, the lone librarian swing dances, watches "Les Miserables" in three languages and reminisces about a life he only very recently truly began to live.

"The librarian actually suspects that the person who left the book is the legendary, mystical wandering Jew, a cobbler who stood by watching as Jesus was being taken to be crucified," explains Rogers. "When Jesus paused in front of his shop, the cobbler pushed him along, not wanting to be in any way associated with the condemned man; but when he does this, Jesus turns to the cobbler and places a curse on him, saying, in effect: 'You will live forever. Until I return.' "

Referring to the one-person show, which played for more than 400 performances off-Broadway and won the 2001 Ovation Award for Best Play, Rogers says, "During the play's 90 minutes, you are made to wonder if this journey is real, or if it's actually in the librarian's imagination. But that's the magic of the story."

Sharon Graci, who will direct the production and who is Pure's artistic director, says, "I am fascinated by the journey of simple men and the heroics found in a common life. To me, this is the essence of profound theatrical experiences, as we find those crossroads where we recognize ourselves in the actions of others."

"Underneath the Lintel" was a hit when Pure Theatre produced it at the 2006 Piccolo Spoleto Festival.

"Pure is in a state of tremendous growth," says Graci. "We constantly have patrons who are new to the theater, and who say they wish they could have seen previous productions; that's why we decided to stage this wonderful show again for a wider audience."

"Underneath the Lintel" will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, continuing July 17-19; 23-25. A matinee will be held at 2 p.m. July 20 and a pay-what-you-can preview performance will be Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. July 23 is also a pay-what-you-can night.

Performances will be held at the Circular Congregational Church, 150 Meeting St. All tickets are $25 except for pay-what-you-can nights. For reservations, call 723-4444 or purchase tickets at the door the night of the performance.

Plum Elements

The black-and-white photographs of Lowcountry landscapes made by Gary Geboy will be on display at Plum Elements' Signature Gallery through Labor Day.

Although he grew up in Wisconsin and lived a time in Washington, D.C., Geboy now lives in Beaufort and has made his signature photographs of such icons as the Angel Oak on Johns Island. "Gary has such an artful eye and such an affinity and sensitivity for nature," says Andrea Schenck, owner of Plum Elements at 161 1/2 King St. "We were fortunate that he just walked through our door during the Spoleto Festival last year, and we found his photographs, which are platinum palladium prints, are of another world. He hand-mixes, exposes and develops each image. Although difficult and costly to create, pure palladium captures the nuances of the mid- to high tones in his images."

Geboy's book "Transfer of Grace," published by Joggling Board Press, was named one of the Best Coffee Table Books of 2007, Schenck says. His limited-edition prints from the book will be for sale at the gallery. For information, go to www.plumelements.com.

Palette & Palate Stroll

Gourmet food and luscious art will combine to create the Charleston Fine Art Dealers Association's annual Palette & Palate Stroll to be held 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday at galleries that are association members.

Fourteen chefs from various restaurants will provide the food.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the association's visual arts scholarship.

The cost is $40 and reservations made be made by calling any of the following galleries: Ann Long Fine Art, The Audubon Gallery, Carolina Galleries, The Charleston Renaissance Gallery, Coleman Fine Art, the Corrigan Gallery, the Ella Walton Richardson Gallery, the Helena Fox Fine Art, the Horton Hayes Fine Art, the John C. Doyle Gallery, the Martin Gallery, Robert Lange Studios, Smith-Killian Fine Art, The Sylvan Gallery, The Wells Gallery.

CSOL contribution

The Charleston Symphony Orchestra League, a group that works tirelessly to raise funds for the Charleston Symphony Orchestra, has broken a record this year.

League President Gwen Gilmore recently presented CSO Music Director David Stahl with a check for $150,000, which, when included with an additional $30,000 contributed to the Education and Scholarship Fund, brings the League's total gifts for the 2007-08 season to an all-time high of $355,000.

Also, the CSO executive board has elected longtime CSO flutist Tacy Edwards as its incoming president.

Reach Dottie Ashley at 937-5704 or dashley@postand courier.com.