Beach Boys, Four Seasons, Country Hits Upcoming at FRP - TribPapers
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Beach Boys, Four Seasons, Country Hits Upcoming at FRP

Sail On, Beach Boys tribute band. Photo provided.

Flat Rock – First up is Sail On: Music of The Beach Boys, on April 4-6. Country Gold: Country Music’s Greatest Hits with Blake Ellege is April 25-27. The smash hit musical Jersey Boys is May 10-June 1, chronicling the rise of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons in the Sixties.

Sail On on its website claims it is the “most booked Beach Boys tribute band in the world,” with more than 80 shows per year. “Sail On plays all of the Beach Boys’ classic hits, plus some treasures from the band’s brilliant extended catalog. Recreating the soundtrack to an Endless Summer completely live and in rich detail.”

Sail On features singer-keyboardists Paul Runyon from Charleston, S.C. and Georgia native Mike Williamson, guitarist Matt Thompson, bassist Wyatt Funderburk, and drummer Ben Potter who grew up in India. All but Potter help recreate famed Beach Boy vocal harmonies.

Courter Simmons

Oft-grinning Courter Simmons portrays Valli. FRP calls him a “Jersey Boys veteran” immersed in the production for 17 years on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and in the musical’s national touring production when he played tough guy actor Joe Pesci. “We couldn’t have asked for a better lead for this challenging role.”

Simmons played Valli Off-Broadway, in regional theater, and at the 2009 Tony Awards ceremony. He is listed as 5-foot-4 1/2 inches tall. His other roles include song and dance in A Chorus Line and Singing in the Rain. The San Francisco native is credited as a “flying dildo” on Last Week Tonight with John Oliver on HBO.

Simmons is a featured singer on Sondheim Unplugged, in each of its three volumes. The latest volume is nominated for a Grammy for best traditional pop or folk album.

Blake Ellege

In April, FRP also features Blake Ellege and his all-star country show band Saddletramp in concert on April 25-27. They will play covers of country hits spanning many decades. Ellege calls his typical playlists full of danceable, “high-energy, country party music.”

“We take you on a trip down memory lane, while we bring you the history of country music spanning five decades and the stories behind some of the biggest and your favorite classic country hits and artists,” FRP commented.

Ellege is up for five 2024 North America Country Music Association, International (NACMAI) awards, including traditional gospel entertainer of the year and adult rising star patriotic songwriter for his song “American.” He was the Outlaw Country Music Artist of the Year in 2022, chosen by The Josie Music Awards at the Grand Ole Opry. He is an American Idol Golden Ticket winner.

He sang as an Elvis impersonator at Graceland. Ellege first sang publicly in church at age two, and released a gospel album when he was six.

Ellege started his band 11 years ago, initially playing honky tonk songs like Georgia Satellite’s “Keep Your Hands to Yourself.” Charismatic, portly, bearded Ellege is the band’s lead singer. Vocalist Jennifer Lauren (Diamonds and Whiskey) is hailed as a “special guest artist.”

Saddletramp also has fiddler/vocalist Drayton Aldridge, guitarist/vocalist Kelly Jones, Brad Curtioff on keyboards, Tom Leiner on rhythm guitar, “aux strings” and vocals; Silas Hamilton on pedal steel, bassist Robert Geisler, and drummer Jon Lauterer. Lauterer also drums for Pinkish Floyd. He teaches at the Asheville Music School. These musicians combine nearly 300 years of professional experience.

Ushers Sought; Award

The playhouse seeks more ushers. “Give back to your favorite non-profit theater while getting to see more amazing plays, musicals, and concerts” for free. Applicants should check flatrockplayhouse.org/volunteer or email FRP at: ushers@flatrockplayhouse.org.

FRP, the official state playhouse, recently won the North Carolina Theatre Conference’s George A. Parides Professional Theatre Award for 2023.

Ticket prices for adults vary by seat location. They are $45-$65 for both the country music and Beach Boys tribute shows, and $55-$75 for Jersey Boys. To purchase tickets, call the box office at (828) 693-0731 or check www.flatrockplayhouse.org.