NASHVILLE, Tenn. – “American Idol” Season 5 winner Taylor Hicks will take audiences into the heart of American history this spring when he stars in the Serenbe Playhouse production of the 1974 Broadway musical “Shenandoah.” The outdoor stage will erupt out of a Civil War reenactment of more than 100 soldiers, horses and canons March 13 – April 7 in Serenbe, Ga., about 30 miles outside of Atlanta.
“I am truly excited to debut this lead role as Charlie Anderson in Shenandoah at Serenbe Playhouse. This a very unique and wonderful opportunity for me to learn and experience true scripted acting. This is a timeless story with a timeless message in a visionary theatrical company,” Hicks shared.
Hicks, who also starred in the 2007 Broadway revival of “Grease,” joins “The X Factor” finalist Rachel Potter in the outdoor production produced by Serenbe Playhouse, known for creating epic, site-specific outdoor productions to engage and entertain audiences. “Shenandoah” will capture the story of one family’s struggle living in the Shenandoah Valley during the American Civil War during a theatrical journey of heartbreak and ultimately hope in a fight for human rights.
Hicks starring role in “Shenandoah” follows his critically-acclaimed release of “Six Strings and Diamond Rings,” a deeply personal, roots-inspired song recorded at Zac Brown’s Southern Ground studio in Nashville with contributions from four-time GRAMMY®-winning musician Keb’ Mo as well as Robert Randolph. Produced by Hicks along with GRAMMY®-winning guitarist Bryan Sutton (Garth Brooks, Brad Paisley).
For Hicks, 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 No. 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. A versatile artist, actor and advocate, Hicks has since ventured into theater and television, touring as Teen Angel in the popular Broadway musical “Grease” in addition to appearing on “Law & Order: SVU” and hosting “State Plate,” his own food and travel show now entering its third season 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.
SHENANDOAH TICKETS:
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.
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.@TaylorHicks stars in @OnStageSerenbe’s Shenandoah, tickets available now bit.ly/2SJTkW7
