If you see one musical this season in Charleston, see ‘Hollywood: The Golden Age’ at C-PAC

By Mark A. Leon

From its opening silent film era montage featuring strobe lights, exaggerated body motions and a larger than life announcer to the ensemble showcase finale of ‘That’s Entertainment’, this three-act celebration of the Golden Age of cinema will leave you singing and tapping in the aisles.

In an age of digital dating, fake news, political upheaval and an overall disconnected feeling in society, it is refreshing to find a play that celebrates all that is good in film, music, dance and love.  This is one night at the theater that will leave you smiling all the way home.

With moments of glee, romance and sentimental journey, this musical celebration reminds us of the origins of music and dance on the big screen that pioneered the way allowing us to enjoy the likes of La La Land, Les Miserables, and Glee.  It is a reminder of a simpler time when a smile and a vocal could light up a room, a lady was classy and a man was a gentleman.

The 23 musical numbers accompanied by stunning costumes, a simple reflective and illuminated stage, and vocals that are worthy of the lights of Broadway, have a seamless flow throughout the performance.  In a phrase, “That’s Entertainment”.

As you listen to Cheek to Cheek performed by Kirk Pfeiffer, Tiffany West and Savannah Shoenborn, you feel the aura of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.  When Caitlin Wilson enters stage right in her little pink dress and belts Good Ship Lollipop, the glow you felt seeing Shirley Temple just returns to your face.

Ward Billeison, with his smile that won’t quit plastered across his face charms the crowd on and off the stage with his rendition of Singin’ in the Rain.

Leah Edwards, a guest artist whom recently moved from New York, shows a level of elegance worthy of Ingrid Bergman or Audrey Hepburn.  The soft skin and silky hair and emotional vocals made her a dominant, yet inviting presence.  Her solo of The Boy Next Door brings back feelings of unrequited love we all felt at one point in our lives.

When she concludes Act I with Somewhere Over the Rainbow, the cabaret style audience exploded in applause.

The company provides some of the finest dance numbers we have seen in the Lowcountry for some time belting out leg kicks, twists, turns and dips.  Each costume change was a refreshing zest of life and complimentary of the finely choreographed dance steps.

Leah Edwards and Ward Billeisen, as the guest artists and stars, bring a deep resume to this performance.  Leah, a classical vocalist, has been presented in concert at Carnegie Hall and Alice Tully Hall along with her Off-Broadway stage work.  Ward has been seen on Broadway in Anything Goes with Sutton Foster and Joel Gray, Curtains with David Hyde Pierce and Fiddler on the Roof with Harvey Fierstein and Rosie O’Donnell.  With these two leading a very talented cast, it is hard to not be tempted to experience this intimate extravaganza of live theatre.

This performance will be running through April 2, 2018.

Ticket Information and Purchase

Charleston Performing Arts Center Official Website

*Note:  If you have never been to the C-PAC on Folly Road, the entrance is in the back and the parking lot is small and tight.  Next door at the Hen and the Goat, you can park and walk to the next lot at no cost.