Get ready for ‘The Music Man’ and ‘The Sound of Music’ this weekend on Hilton Head
The Performing Arts
“THE MUSIC MAN”
The Southeastern Summer Theatre Institute opens its 15th season at Hilton Head Island High School’s Seahawk Cultural Center with the timeless Tony-winning musical, Meredith Willson’s “The Music Man.”
Currently lighting up Broadway with a production starring Hugh Jackman, Music Man is filled to the brim with a soaring musical score, splashy dance sequences, and plenty of romance and comedy to spare. This production will be under the direction of world-renowned director, choreographer, and performer Jacob Brent.
With Brent is a production team of New York designers and creative theatre professionals along with a gifted and talented cast assembled from over 30 states, who, by the way, have been working tirelessly over the past few months to conceive and construct what is sure to be a visually captivating and thoroughly compelling afternoon or evening of musical theatre.
The Southeastern Summer Theatre Institute is an intensive summer theatre training program for elite and exceptional young performers and technicians from across the globe. The auditioned students participate in a three-week professional rehearsal process, followed by the performance and production of a full-scale musical. During their time here, students are led by a professional faculty and staff from the stages of Broadway and beyond. SSTI is located at the Seahawk Cultural Center on Hilton Head High School’s campus.
When: June 24, 25, July 1, 2 at 7:30 p.m. and June 26 and July 3 at 1 p.m.
Where: Seahawk Cultural Center (Hilton Head High School, 32 School Road)
Info: www.HHISummerMusicals.com or 866-749-2228. Tickets $35
__
“THE SOUND OF MUSIC”
The sound of music from the Main Stage Community Theatre opens June 24. The inspirational story, based on the memoir of Maria Augusta Trapp, follows an ebullient postulate who serves as governess to the seven children of the imperious Captain von Trapp, bringing music and joy to the household. But as the forces of Nazism take hold of Austria, Maria and the entire von Trapp family must make a moral decision.
This final collaboration between Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein was destined to become the world’s most beloved musical. The Main Stage Community Theatre invites everyone to join the family Von Trapp in the true-life telling of one of history’s most thrilling and inspirational stories. It features the Grammy Academy award-winning Best Score — look forward to “My Favorite Things,” “Do-Re-Mi,” “Climb Every Mountain,” “Edleweiss” and of course the title song.
Cinda Seamon, chairman of the Board of Directors of the Main Stage Community Theatre described everyone’s appreciation of the production crew, including Josh Wall, director; Sonya Jacobs, musical director,; and Karana Lobaugh.
“Our amazing cast and three choirs involve over 50 members … the youngest in our cast is just 5, she continued. “We had such a great response to our invitation to audition, and we are so pleased to have developed the show to involve so many young people from a number of local schools, even homeschoolers.”
“As you know,” she added, “as has been our history, adult actors will assume the role of the adults in the storyline.”
When: June 24, 25, July 1, 2 at 7 p.m. and June 26 & July 3 at 2 p.m.
Where: Hilton Head Prep School Main Street Theatre, 3000 Main St., Hilton Head.
Information: Box Office 843-689-6246… email: info@msctheatre.org tickets $25/adults; $15/students $5/under 8.
__
“THE LAVON STEVENS QUARTET”
The renowned Lavon Stevens Quartet, featuring Louise Spencer, will treat everyone at the Sequins Ballroom on Sunday evening, June 26, to a very special Kiwanis Club Jazz Night. All who know the celebrated performances of Lavon Stevens will be thrilled … and those who have not yet attended their celebrated performances will be totally and completely absorbed by the most exciting evening of Jazz.
“This is a charity fund-raising event,” explained organizer Paul Ammeen of the Kiwanis Club of Bluffton. “Donations raised on this evening will permit us to continue our scholarship program with May River High School…we are so appreciative of the evening’s sponsors, donors and guests.
When: June 26, 7 p.m.
Where: Seaquins Ballroom, 1300 Fording Island Road, Bluffton
Info: Tickets are $30 contact Phil Kiser: philkiser9947@gmail.com (614)-736-0233.
__
“ROCK OF AGES”
Rock of Ages captured the era that was 1980s Hollywood that features the music of iconic bands such as Styx, Twisted Sister, Journey and others. Preview tickets $51 adults, $46 children; regular run $56 adult, $51 children. Recommended for age 13 and up. Group rates available by calling box office.
Where: Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, 14 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head
When: June 29 to Aug. 14
Info: Box Office 843-842-2787 or arshhi.com
The Visual Arts
Fabulous Fakes — Master Artworks with a Twist
What: The Art League of Hilton Head. Silent auction is scheduled for June 28 to July 1 both in person and online. Tuesday–Friday from 10 a.m. – 4pm.
When: Artist reception Friday, July 1 from 5-7 p.m.
Silent auction winners will be announced. Enjoy refreshments and meet the artist. Free and open to the public.
Where: Inside Art Center of Costal Carolina, 14 Shelter Cover Ln., HHI
For Information: www.ArtLeagueHHI.org or 843-681-5060.
__
How We Git Gullah: Teaching the Meaning of Family
Saundra Renee Smith, local Gullah artist, captures the essence of being an authentic Gullah/Geechee native of the Lowcountry in How We Git Gullah, an exhibit at Art League this July.
Smith’s work is nostalgic, showing simplistic and innocent scenes of a symbiotic existence with the earth, guided by the wisdom of the ancients. Inspired by the beauty of her native St. Helena, Smith’s paintings feature lush, green fields, moss-covered oaks, and rivers “carrying food, health, and Gullah folk tales on every tide.” She uses colorful acrylic paints and mixed media on all manner of materials, including canvas, board, glass, vinyl and tin.
Gullah means “kinfolk.” How We Git Gullah is a tribute to the notion of a cultural family with a homeland ranging down the East Coast from North Carolina to Florida in a swath known as the Gullah/Geechee Cultural Corridor. The Exhibit will have short stories of Gullah life interspersed among the artworks. “My aim is to foster communication, connections, and a sense of cultural humility,” says Smith.
Exhibit – Wednesday July 6 through Saturday, Aug. 13. Art League Gallery is open every day: Monday–Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Sunday 12 noon to 4 p.m. and 90 minutes before every Arts Centers performance.
Reception – Wednesday July 6, 5-7 p.m. Free and open to the public.
Where: Inside Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, 14 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head
For information: 843-681-5060
__
Hitnes, The Image Hunter: On the Trail of John James Audubon
“The Image Hunter: On the Trail of John James Audubon,” an exhibit by Italian artist Hitnes, will be on display in the main gallery at Coastal Discovery Museum through July 3.
Hitnes’ exhibition documents his journey, elaborating on what it is that drives a person to dedicate multiple decades of their life to pursuing an obsession … as did Audubon.
Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.
When: Through July 3
Where: Coastal Discovery Museum, 70 Honey Horn, Hilton Head
Information: 843-689-6767 or visit coastaldiscovery.org …entry is free and open to the public.
__
Trust the Journey: The Mixed Media of Life at Art League Academy
Work by artist and educator Debi West. Debi West has been teaching through the visual arts for over 30 years. West’s, experience makes her a wonderful teacher for students of all ages here.
What: The Art League of Hilton Head — The Academy
Where: 106 Cordillo Parkway, Hilton Head Island
When: Now through July 29
Information: 843-842-5738
__
Just off the Easel … Betty Anglin Smith
The Red Piano Gallery continues to focus on artists who capture the attention of residents and visitors alike to the gallery in Bluffton. Of note, during the current time frame is a collection of the phenomenal pieces of celebrated artist Betty Anglin Smith.
When: Now through June 30
Where: Red Piano Gallery, 40 Calhoun St., Ste. 201, Old Town Bluffton
Info: 843-247-2049
__
Abstract Artist Rose Cofield for the month of June
While at the “Petite” Gallerie Also Enjoy — the other creative gallery associates Kristin Griffis, Don Nagel, Murray Sease, Lauren Terrett, Bill Winn, & Sculptures by Wally Palmer.
What: La Petite Gallerie
When: Now through June 30
Where: Adjacent to “The Store” 56 Calhoun Street, Bluffton
Info: lapetitegallerie.com or 843-304-2319
__
“No Regrets” with Featured Artist Christy Coffey Chen
What: SOBA Gallery … the Society of Bluffton Artists
When: Exhibit now through July 4
Where: 6 Church Street, Old Town Bluffton
Info: SOBAGALLERY.com or 843-757-6586
Contact Nancy Wellard at coastalartnews@gmail.com
This story was originally published June 24, 2022 at 4:20 PM.