Serenbe Playhouse is proud to present the musical SHENANDOAH, starring American Idol Winner Taylor Hicks and Broadway and The X Factor finalist Rachel Potter. The story of one family’s struggle living in the Shenandoah Valley during the American Civil War leaps to life in a hidden field in Serenbe, transporting you to the rolling hills of Virginia. A theatrical journey of heartbreak and ultimately hope in a fight for human rights will erupt out of an actual Civil War reenactment with over 100 soldiers, canons, horses and with an all-star cast of singer/musicians in a fight for Freedom and Love!
Taylor Hicks (Charlie Anderson) is one of the most beloved and popular American Idol winners of all time. Winning “American Idol’s” blockbuster fifth season was just the beginning. Hailed as “part Stax, part Motown and part honky-tonk” by The New York Times, Hicks’ intoxicating blend of soul, blues, country, and rock & roll quickly rendered him a household name as he progressed to the show’s record-breaking finale in 2006, a historic television event which drew an audience of more than 200 million viewers.
Hicks immediately followed his Idol victory with a #1 Billboard single and an RIAA certified Platinum debut, and soon went on to make history as both the first male Idol champion featured on a Grammy-winning record (Jimmy Fallon’s Blow Your Pants Off), and the first to land a prestigious Las Vegas residency. Hicks also penned a brisk-selling inspirational memoir about finding your voice and your way, Heart Full of Soul. A versatile artist, actor, and advocate, Hicks has since ventured into theatre and television with a successful run on Broadway in New York as Teen Angel in Grease, leading to a lengthy eighteen-month tour. In addition, he also appeared on “Law & Order: SVU” and hosting “State Plate,” the award-winning food and travel series on the INSP television network. Hicks’ passion for southern cuisine also led him back to his native Alabama, where he opened up Saw’s BBQ & Juke Joint, a restaurant recently crowned one of the “25 Best Barbecue Spots in America” by Men’s Journal.
After a lengthy hiatus from recording, Hicks returns in 2019 with his highly-anticipated third album, a deeply personal, roots-inspired collection recorded at Zac Brown’s Southern Ground studio in Nashville with contributions from Robert Randolph, Keb Mo, and JoJo Hermann. Produced by Hicks along with Grammy-winning guitarist Bryan Sutton (Garth Brooks, Brad Paisley), the album is due out later this year and will bring Hicks back on the road for extensive touring.
Rachel Potter (Anne Anderson) is a beloved Broadway veteran and vocalist, whose career exploded when she became a finalist on The X Factor. She began her professional career at Walt Disney World, singing as Ariel, Belle and Nemo. She later starred on Broadway in The Addams Family, as Wednesday Addams, originated the role of the Mistress in the Tony Nominated revival of Evita, and toured as Glinda in Wicked. Some of her favorite roles she’s had the honor of playing regionally: Wendla in Spring Awakening, Sophie in Mamma Mia!, and Eponine in Les Miserables.
Pursuing another dream of country music and recording arts, she moved to Nashville in 2013. Potter went on to become a Top 12 finalist on season 3 of The X Factor, earning international praise for her country rendition of Queen's "Somebody to Love." Her take on the classic tune, which has now reached over 46 million views on YouTube, is featured on her album, "Not So Black and White.”
In addition to the previously announced Taylor Hicks and Rachel Potter, the cast will feature: Caleb Baumann (Gabriel), Daniel Burns (James Anderson), Chase Davidson (Jacob Anderson), Pilot Bunch (Boy Anderson), Sophie DeLeo (Jenny Anderson), Jeremy Gee (John Anderson), Cullen Gray (Nathan Anderson), Jordan Patrick (Sam), Aaron Schilling (Henry Anderson), Jeremy Skidmore (Rev. Byrd). The Ensemble includes: Andrew Andersen, Alden Burroughs, Brady Dunn, Destiny Freeman, Alexandria Joy, Karley Rene, Terrence Smith.
To breathe new life into this classic story, Director Brian Clowdus (Artistic/ Executive Director, Founder of Serenbe Playhouse) leads a creative team including: Bubba Carr (Choreography), Chris Brent Davis (Music Director), Adam Koch (Scenic Designer), Joel Coady (Lighting Designer/ Director of Production), Rob Brooksher (Sound Designer), Emmie Thompson (Costume Designer), Mark Warner (Technical Director), and Jake Guinn (Action Director).
Binder Casting, a subsidiary of the full service and award-winning live entertainment production company RWS Entertainment Group (RWS), and Serenbe Playhouse have joined forces for the casting of Serenbe Playhouse’s Tenth Anniversary Season. Acquired by RWS Entertainment Group in 2016, Binder Casting has cast over 70 Broadway shows including the Tony Award-winning productions of The Lion King, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder, Dames At Sea, Nice Work If You Can Get It, Gypsy, The King and I, Lost in Yonkers and Jerome Robbins’ Broadway. Over the course of this season, Binder Casting will provide talent for three large-scale musicals at Serenbe Playhouse.
“Serenbe Playhouse is synonymous with both creativity and bold immersive theatre,” stated Bruston Manuel, Chief Operations Officer of RWS. “This partnership aligns with Binder Casting’s mission of providing well established talent to the best in the business. We at RWS and Binder Casting are extremely excited and honored to cast the theatre’s 10th anniversary season.”
Tickets are on sale now. Ticket prices start at $40. Senior/student and group discounts are available. Rain Insurance is available for all tickets. All may be purchased online at www.serenbeplayhouse.com, or by calling the box office (770-463-1110), Wednesday – Sunday, 12pm – 5pm.
Serenbe Playhouse is a professional theatre committed to producing site-specific performances and programs that connect art, nature, and community. Serenbe Playhouse believes that theatre as an art form has the unique power to illuminate the human experience. In pursuit of that vision, we produce artistically rich site-specific performances and programming that reduce the barriers between artists and audiences by immersing patrons in an environment that amplifies the beauty of nature, and provides opportunities for engagement, conversation, and collaboration. We use theatre as an artistic educational tool for both artists and audiences. We are a pioneer in modeling Green Theatre Practices by producing plays with a commitment to social responsibility and environmental stewardship. Serenbe Playhouse was founded in 2009 under the executive and artistic direction of Brian Clowdus, an accomplished actor, educator, director and producer. Established under the umbrella of their parent organization, The Serenbe Institute for Art Culture & the Environment, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, Serenbe Playhouse operates with the support of a diverse working board of directors and community volunteers.
Recipient, American Theatre Wing’s 2015 National Theatre Company Grant.
Named one of the 20 Top Regional Theatres in the Nation by Playbill, 2018.
Serenbe Playhouse on the socials: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Pinterest: all are accessible from www.serenbeplayhouse.com.
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