“Sex, Lies, and a Sycamore Tree” Comes to Fort Mill
Y'all Weekly caught up with “Sex, Lies, and A Sycamore Tree” writer and director Elaine Alexander — as well as actress Elyse Williams — to talk about the play’s new life as a summer fundraiser for the Fort Mill Community Playhouse, running September 10th through 20th.
“Sex, Lies, and a Sycamore Tree” won Queen City Nerve’s Audience Favorite “Best In The Nest” Award for the 2025 production at the VAPA Center. In addition to originating the role of Tracy in that production, Williams is also nominated for the “Theatre Person of the Year” award at the Metrolina Theater Awards.
You can watch the full interview above, or listen to it below:
The play is a satirical comedy marital scandal set in the the rapidly developing Carolina suburbs that asks the question, “Can two malfunctioning marriages and one contentious tree survive a tempestuous party on the patio?”
In the play, a wealthy Californian couple invite their working-class Carolina neighbors over for socializing that soon descends into a hotbed of deceit, marital duplicity, and a possible death sentence for the only Sycamore tree still standing in the once woodsy Sycamore Grove.
The play also touches on the conflict between tree conservation and residential overdevelopment in the Carolinas, inspired by Alexander’s observations on local growth — though there’s still some sex and a lot of lies.
“This show is an excellent way to support our cause,” said Fort Mill Community Playhouse president Martha Ferguson in a press release. “We at Fort Mill Community Playhouse are working toward a new, permanent home and we need your support. We are presently in the smallest venue of our 46 years and we need more space … Please join us and support the Playhouse!”
Williams (Tracy), Keith Hopkins (Rick), and Tom Schrachta (Hugh) reprise their roles from the 2025 production at the Charlotte’s Off-Broadway Black Box Theater at the VAPA Center, while Pam Coble Newcomer takes on the role of Ali.
You can purchase tickets for “Sex, Lies, and a Sycamore Tree” here.
Lúmina is Almost Here!
On Saturday, September 19, 2026, the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art presents Lúmina, a party celebrating Latin American Modernism. The evening takes inspiration from the Bechtler’s fall exhibition, Making an Impression: Pioneering Latin American Printmakers. As the museum’s fall fundraiser, Lúmina supports the Bechtler’s world-class exhibitions, educational programs, and community partnerships.
Guests will move through immersive installations, live performances, and DJ-driven sets, alongside Latin American-inspired street food, wines, and spirits, and a relaxed terrace lounge featuring curated tastings and conversation.
The evening sets the tone for a vibrant celebration of art, music, and contemporary Latin American creative expression.
Editor’s Note: Y’all Weekly publisher Sam Spencer serves on the board of directors for the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art.
Auditions
Want to add your audition? Email sam@yallweekly.com!
New This Week:
Auditions for the Regional Premiere of LIBERATION
at Three Bone Theatre
By Bess Wohl
Directed by Donna Bradby
Audition Dates:
September 20, 2026 - 4PM-7PM
September 21, 2026 - 6PM-9PM
Audition Location:
Watershed Church
2101 Shenandoah Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205
Upcoming Auditions:
Rory D. Sheriff’s “SPEAKEASY”
Presented by Brand New Sheriff Productions
September 15 - 16
Learn More
Quote of the Week
“It’s essential that our residents [and] supporters of the arts are aware of the fabulous productions going on in all of these theater companies. We cannot survive without the support of our local residents—buying tickets, supporting with their donations, becoming a sponsor … making live theater a reality is important and essential for our city to grow and thrive.” - Elyse Williams
Charlotte Theater Calendar
Want to add your show? Email sam@yallweekly.com!
“Sex, Lies, and a Sycamore Tree,” as well as many other opportunities to support local theater, are below …
This Weekend …
“Sex, Lies, and a Sycamore Tree”
at Fort Mill Community Playhouse
September 10 - 20
Directed by Elaine Alexander
Learn More
“Clue”
at Theatre Statesville (Olin, N.C.)
September 5 - 13
Directed by Jennifer D. Grant
Learn More
“Hadestown: Teen Edition”
at Showtime Theatre Company (Rock Hill, S.C.)
September 5 - 13
Learn More
“The Cottage”
Presented by Davidson Community Players
at Armour Street Theatre (Davidson, N.C.)
September 10 - 27
Directed by Hanley Smith
Learn More
“Night at the Wax Museum”
at Old Courthouse Theatre (Concord, N.C.)
September 10-13
Directed by Lauren Newell
Learn More
“Come From Away”
at Theatre Charlotte
September 11 – October 4, 2026
Directed by Billy Ensley
Learn More
“Sovereignty”
Presented by Three Bone Theatre
at Cherokee Central School (Cherokee, N.C.)
September 11 - 12
Directed by Carolyn Dunn
Learn More
“The Jungle Book: Youth Play”
Presented by Rock Hill Theatre
at Castle Heights Middle School (Rock Hill, S.C.)
September 11 - 26
Directed by Harper Elaine Rego
Learn More
Later in September …
“The Insanity of Mary Girard”
at the Lee St. Theatre Lab (Salisbury, N.C.)
September 17 - 19
Directed by Rod Oden
Learn More
“The Odd Couple”
at Matthews Playhouse
September 18 - 27
Directed by Lisa Ulanow
Learn More
“I’m Gonna Marry You Tobey Maguire”
Presented by Zingher Productions
at Warehouse Studio Theatre (Cornelius, N.C.)
September 25th - October 11th
Directed by Jessica Zingher
Learn More
Coming Soon …
ARMOUR AFTER DARK: “Gaslighting the Musical”
Presented by Davidson Community Players
at Armour Street Theatre (Davidson, N.C.)
October 3 - 10
Created and Performed by Brooke McCarthy
Learn More
“The Great Gatsby”
at Belk Theater at Blumenthal Arts Center
Broadway Lights Series
October 13-18
Directed by Marc Bruni
Learn More
“The House on Haunted Hill”
at Lee St. Theatre (Salisbury, N.C.)
October 16 - 31
Directed by Jessie Dietzel
Learn More
“La Maison de Horreurs: An Evening at the Grand Guignol”
Presented by Post Mortem Players
at the Wilson Family Black Box at Old Courthouse Theatre
October 22 - November 1
Directed by Jackie Obando Carter
Learn More
“Frankenstein”
at Theatre Charlotte
October 30 - November 15
Directed by Dee Abdullah
“Liberation”
at Three Bone Theatre
November 6 - 22
Directed by Donna Bradby
Learn More
Recent Stories
More local arts and culture coverage from Y’all Weekly:
Theater: “Sovereignty” Delivers Didactic Drama at Three Bone Theatre
An Exploration of “Sovereignty,” from the Political to the Personal
Three Bone Theatre Announces 15th Anniversary Season
It’s already been a big year for Three Bone Theatre.
Keep in Touch!
Please forward this newsletter to any friends who might be interested. If you’d like to submit dates for an event, or have suggestions to improve Y’all Weekly’s arts coverage, please email sam@yallweekly.com.