Neil Shurley has been covering the Greenville SC arts scene since 2001. A member of the American Theatre Critics Association, his theatre-related work has appeared in such publications as The Greenville News, Greenville Journal, Creative Loafing, and MetroBeat.
Neil is also an actor, songwriter, and occasional ukulele-player. He tweets too much, mostly about donuts, coffee, and Star Trek.
Filled with fantastic music performed by an amazingly talented cast, On Your Feet delivers a timely story of emotional - and physical - triumph against overwhelming odds.
'It's a great way to escape the anxiety and stress of the holiday season with characters that remind you of your family - or yourself!'
This new touring production of the 2014 Broadway revival is a stunning, cinematic reinvention of the classic, filled with gorgeous visuals and breathtaking vocals.
'It's just nice to be able to give the audience a little bit of light.'
'The question is how do you represent these beloved iconic characters and this story without becoming mimics of their work. The answer is to tell the story in the best way that our actors and their gifts could tell it, making it their own and bringing the theatrical elements that we can produce on a thrust stage to support the story and allowing the audience and their imagination to fill in the rest.'
'Our hope is that you come in and can forget the crazy world for a few hours. Smile, clap, toe tap, sing, and rejoice in some good ol' country music.'
More so even than the original film, the musical version of The Bodyguard centers around flashy concert-style production numbers, complete with flashing lights, rising platforms, and a dazzling array of costumes. It's practically a movie come to life.
'It has always struck me how people concentrate so hard on the romance in Romeo and Juliet, and less on the fact that it is about teenagers who kill themselves. We wanted to tell that story, while focusing in on the LGBTQ community.'
'I wanted to write something that celebrates seniors and portrays them as vivacious and funny...active and important. My characters are not little old ladies sitting around at a quilting bee talking about the weather. These ladies are funny, sassy and sexy.'
Bartlett Sher's staging of The King and I brings the show to vivid life, reminding us of its still relevant messages while always remaining a marvelous entertainment.
'Vivian in Red is about owning your story, and that means all of it...your triumphs and your mistakes, both.'
'I hope the old will reminisce, the young will find interest in these characters, and everybody will wanna just dance.'
Director Jenna Tamisiea and music director Christian Elser put a talented cast through a physical and emotional journey that still feels revolutionary. They'll wow you with their stamina, their marvelous musicianship (including a crack live band), and their raw emotional power.
Mill Town's Bye Bye Birdie is guaranteed to make you put on a happy face.
'This play has been known throughout history to turn a lens onto the audience's own moral compass, and I hope that people will walk away from this show willing to talk about the issues it brings up. Too many times we hide from those challenging dialogues, but through art and storytelling, we can hopefully help to engage conversation in our communities.'
I'm really excited about this play, it's really coming together. Musicals are never easy, but as we chip away over these last few days, I'm seeing a show come together with an infectious spirit perfect for this theatre.
Her previous books have examined personal relationships with family, friends, and pets. This time she sets her sights on a more ephemeral relationship, that of the public with their beloved celebrities.
Tamisiea's collaborative directorial style, coupled with her strong visual sense and Elser's top-notch musicianship make GLOW Lyric productions always worth seeing. And whether you see all three shows in one weekend or spread out the joy over the course of the month, you owe yourself the experience. Trust my authority on this one.
'What I latched onto with this show is love and how it presents itself in different relationships and circumstances.'
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