Life

Playhouse revives Creedence next week

By Bill Moss, Published: April 6, 2013

Flat Rock Playhouse will present "A Tribute to Creedence Clearwater Revival," the next '"Music on the Rock" series concert, opening April 9 at the Playhouse Downtown, 125 S. Main St., Hendersonville.

With John Fogerty firmly at the helm as guitarist, singer, songwriter and producer, Creedence took off with a neo-psychedelic reworking of Dale Hawkins' rockabilly classic "Suzie Q." From then on, the hits kept coming as the band churned out six albums of powerful, roots-oriented rock and roll between 1968 and 1970: "Creedence Clearwater Revival," "Bayou Country," "Green River," "Willie and the Poorboys," "Cosmo's Factory" and "Pendulum." Nine of Creedence's singles cracked the Top 10 during the period 1968-71. Although the group was not overtly political, several of their songs – particularly "Fortunate Son" and "Who'll Stop the Rain" – eloquently expressed the counterculture's resistance to the Vietnam War and sympathy for those who were fighting in what now stand as anthems of those troubled times.
"A Tribute to Creedence Clearwater Revival" will feature Broadway star James Scheider in his Playhouse debut. Scheider, an actor, singer, musician, and dancer, recently made his Broadway debut as Jerry Lee Lewis in the original Broadway cast of "Million Dollar Quartet". He also played the role of Jerry Lee Lewis in the Chicago cast, in addition to originating the role at Village Theatre's Festival of New Musicals in 2006. He is also involved in the folk rock band, The Sunday Poste, as well as his solo project, Shades of Grey.
Returning to Flat Rock Playhouse will be Ryan Guerra. Guerra has performed in previous productions at the Playhouse, including "Music on the Rock" tributes to the Beatles, Beach Boys and Neil Diamond, as well as "For the Glory" and "Celtic Christmas."
Alongside Scheider (guitar and vocals) and Guerra (guitar and vocals) will be Paul Babelay (drums), Bill Altman (bass and music director), and Patrick Hambrick (guitar and vocal).
Rug & Home presents "A Tribute to Creedence Clearwater Revival" at Playhouse Downtown April 9-13. Performances will be Tuesday through Saturday at 8:00 pm each evening. All tickets are $24 and can be purchased by calling the Playhouse box office at 828-693-0731, toll-free at 866-732 8008 or online at www.flatrockplayhouse.org.