‘Honky Tonk Angels’ raise voices in Fort Mill

The audience will want to sing along to classic country songs during Fort Mill Community Playhouse’s production of “The Honky Tonk Angels.”

Playhouse veteran Holly Adkins is directing the popular musical, which debuts March 3.

“I was very lucky with the auditions,” said Adkins, who has acted with the playhouse and directed several productions, including “Becky’s New Car,” “The Nerd,” “Rubies” and “Wait Until Dark.” “These ladies walked in and it was wonderful. They sing their hearts out and harmonize so well.”

“Honky Tonk Angels” tells the story of Darlene, played by Carrie Twitty, Angela (Lizzie Schwarz) and Sue Ellen (Jenny Peterson).

“They’re fed up with their present lives and want something else,” Adkins said. The three meet on a bus bound for Nashville to pursue singing careers and decide to form a trio. The second act of the play takes place in a Nashville night club, Hillbilly Heaven.

The production is the first in the playhouse’s new, smaller venue at 220 Main St. – one of the oldest buildings in town. It was originally a bank and later served as Town Hall.

For decades, Leroy Springs & Co. provided a building on Banks Street for the playhouse, charging a nominal fee each year. But LSC now wants to sell the property, necessitating the playhouse’s move.

“We couldn’t find a comparable space,” Adkins said. “This former Town Hall building is very quaint and lovely, but can only seat 65 in the audience.”

“Honky Tonk Angels” will run three weekends instead of two to ensure that everyone can get a seat, Adkins said. Eventually, the playhouse will need to find a different venue.

“The rent is too high for us to stay here forever,” she said. “We need a capital campaign. We’d love to find space within the town limits.”

But the shows will go on, and Adkins is looking forward to seeing the audience’s reaction to “Honky Tonk Angels.”

“I encourage Fort Mill to come out and support the new venue,” she said. “But this is just a fun show. This is some of the best harmony I’ve heard. It’s a beautiful sound.”

Twitty, Schwarz and Peterson are the only three cast members, but the show also features five musicians, directed by Vicki Harvell.

“You have to have someone who can take those singers, mold them, play with them and get them to harmonize, night after night,” said Adkins, praising Harvell.

Martha Ferguson, who does publicity for the playhouse, said the show contains a lot of songs she grew up with.

“Everyone knows the songs and can sing along,” she said. Like Adkins, she said she is looking forward to the playhouse’s first production in its new downtown location.

“It’ll be interesting,” Ferguson said. “Everyone has been very welcoming.”

This story was originally published February 23, 2016 at 1:20 PM with the headline "‘Honky Tonk Angels’ raise voices in Fort Mill."