Charles currently is writing and directing CUTTIN' UP, a play based on the new book by Craig Marberry (author of the bestseller CROWNS) which is premiering at Arena Stage in D.C.. Charles recently directed the world premiere of TOUGH TITTY by Oni Faida Lampley at the Williamstown Theatre Festival, BRIAN STOKES MITCHELL in his acclaimed solo show LOVE/LIFE at Lincoln Center, and the world premiere of SENOR DISCRETION HIMSELF, also at Arena Stage. SENOR DISCRETION (winner of the Helen Hayes Award for Best Musical) is the last musical written by Frank Loesser, based on a story by Budd Schulberg, and now co-written with Culture Clash.

    Charles' play BLUE, starring Phylicia Rashad, broke box office records at Arena Stage, the Roundabout Theatre in New York City, and in Los Angeles (also starring Diahann Carroll and Clifton Davis.) It subsequently has had productions throughout the United States. Charles directed the smash hit revival of GUYS AND DOLLS (starring Maurice Hines also at Arena Stage) which was the most successful production in the theatre's fifty year history. That award winning production was selected by the Loesser estate to become a national tour celebrating the musical's 50 th anniversary, and its cast album was nominated for a 2003 Grammy.

   Also for the stage, Charles directed and co-wrote ME AND MRS. JONES, a musical starring Lou Rawls, and featuring the classic R&B music of the Sound of Philadelphia. ME AND MRS. JONES opened at the Prince Music Theatre in Philadelphia, breaking all box office records for that theatre as well. Charles directed ANTHEMS, a play about Washington, D.C.'s response to 9/11 and OAK AND IVY at Arena Stage ; TARTUFFE, INSURRECTION: HOLDING HISTORY, and BLITHE SPIRIT at the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco. Charles directed and co-wrote THE DIVA IS DISMISSED (starring Jenifer Lewis) at the New York Shakespeare Festival Public Theater and the Hudson Theatre (LA), HOMEWORK (starring Kim Coles) in NYC, Crossroads (NJ), and LA, and AGENCY, also in NYC and LA. Other directing credits include MISS COCO PERU'S LIQUID UNIVERSE at the Westbeth Theater, THE TRAGIC AND HORRIBLE LIFE OF THE SINGING NUN at the Coast Playhouse, HUNDREDS OF SISTERS at New York Theatre Workshop, THE LETTER at the Hudson Theatre, the world premiere of the musical 1492 at Duke University, and CABARET VERBOTEN at CSC Rep (NYC) and at the Mark Taper Forum (LA). Charles also collaborated on BEA ARTHUR, JUST BEWTEEN FRIENDS, which toured internationally, including a Tony nominated run on Broadway.

   Charles has directed numerous benefits, including HAIR ... FOR THE NEXT GENERATION, the 20th anniversary show at the United Nations, which was the first event of its kind for children with aids, VALENTINO'S THIRTY YEARS OF MAGIC at the New York Armory, and MUSIC AND REMEMBRANCE (starring Leontyne Price, Itzhak Perlman, and James Galway) at Carnegie Hall.

   Charles' future stage productions include SKINDIVER, a rock cyber musical with Nona Hendryx, based on her acclaimed album of the same title, A WAITER, a new play with the Campo Santo Theatre in San Francisco, and DEADLINES, a new musical with Kirsten Childs.