Off-Broadway (and Off the Main Strip)
Many of you are familiar with the performing arts offerings at the higher-profile Grand Strand venues, of which The Palace Theatre, Alabama Theatre and Carolina Opry are just a few. Each theater has good shows that, at least for my tastes, provide solid entertainment value for the prices you pay.
But if you're looking for a taste of Broadway without the sticker shock that often comes with Broadway ticket prices, check out these upcoming productions:
James Baldwin Tribute - Professional performer Calvin Levels will present his one-man play "James Baldwin - Down From the Mountaintop" on Thursday, March 29 at 7 p.m. in Coastal Carolina University's Wall Auditorium. The event, part of CCU's African American Celebration, is free and open to the public.
Levels' play is a theatrical tribute based on the life work of famed author and activist James Baldwin. The play follows Baldwin's life as a writer and civil rights activist, including scenes from his Harlem childhood and his relationships with Martin Luther King Jr., Richard Wright, Marlon Brando, Truman Capote, Malcolm X and other famous artists and activists.
Levels, who is also a Tony Award-nominated actor, has worked in theaters across the country performing this tribute to an American cultural icon.
Baldwin was born in 1924 in Harlem, where at 14 years old he became the pastor of a Pentecostal church. After graduating from DeWit Clinton High School, he moved to Greenwich Village and devoted himself to literature, writing novels, essays, plays and poems. His best known works include "Go Tell it on the Mountain," "Nobody Knows My Name" and "The Fire Next Time." He became increasingly outspoken in condemning discrimination against not only the African American community but also the lesbian and gay population. He died in 1987.
For additional information, call the Office of Multicultural Student Services at 349-2863.
"Fiddler on the Roof" - Shows run March 28 through April 1, and April 4-10 at the Theatre of the Republic in Conway. A cast of 35 will feature many new faces on the local performing arts scene, including show leads Chris Taylor of Myrtle Beach (Motel the tailor) and Garrett Heitkamp of Conway (Perchik, a student from Kiev). The ensemble will perform such popular Broadway songs as "Do You Love Me?" "If I Were A Rich Man" and "Sunrise, Sunset" under the vocal direction of Diana Scroggins.
Fresh off TOR's sold-out production of "My Fair Lady," tickets for "Fiddler" are going fast; they're $16 in advance and $20 at the door.
TOR is a non-profit amateur theater group with a rich, 33-year history of providing high-quality, affordable theater to the local community. Recent Broadway-style productions have included "Annie," "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," "Jekyll & Hyde" and "The King & I."
For more information, visit the Theatre's Web site or call 843-488-0821.
If you've seen a show at any of these venues, drop us a line. We'd love to hear your thoughts and recommendations!
I’m glad that the Conway theater is there, but also wish that they’d do more Broadway type shows at one of those three big theaters you mentioned at the beginnning.
Baldwin was such an important figure in the civil rights movements and fighting discrimination against the gay population. I’m looking forward to this performance.
Seems like the Palace has been doing the circus show and Dean Martin tribute show forever. Haven’t they gotten in acts like Seinfeld in the recent past? Would like to see a little more variety out ofthem.
I love that we have a place we can see musicals and "broadway acts" and downtown Conway—what a treat!