Original Music, Original Theatre
Jeff Hartman meets Molly Bass

HICKORY - The email said, "This is all new stuff, so you would be able to add and help with the music process... you can create the combo and make the music your own, in your style!" For an original music advocate and musical director, this was like dangling a carrot in front of a rabbit!

Hickory's own Jeff Hartman has been touring and promoting original music professionally for 15 years. Teaming up the award-winning music director with award-winning artistic director Pam Livingstone and award-winning playwright Molly Bass at Hickory Theatre for an original musical made perfect sense.

"All music and theatre is original at some point. Putting a local, personal stamp on it is what turns me on."

Hartman is also an accomplished actor having most recently portrayed director Roger DeBris in HCT's production of "The Producers."

"I struggled many years choosing which road to make a heavier commitment to. What persuaded me to take a more serious music plunge was the difference between being myself and pretending to be somebody else. As an actor, you're provided the lines and given the direction. There are personal, truthful elements you have to bring to each character, but it still isn't something you can absolutely call your own. Henceforth, when the time came to balance others' material with my own, I came back to the same notion of being myself vs. pretending to be somebody else. Therein lies the ultimate resource for developing your own music and style. An original musical like Molly's allows someone like me to work the best of both worlds.

"Some local artists are a prime example of what not to do. Molly Bass a prime example of what to do. What's missing from most artists these days is themselves. There are no risks. It's recycled. In my experience, what pitfalls artists often go through has nothing to do with anything! It all boils down to involving yourself in a project or a situation that you honestly believe in; that's going to involve investing a serious amount of time and taking an ample amount of risks. One of the keys to my success has been keeping things simple, willingness to travel, consistency, setting short and long-term goals and taking risks along the way. It's huge to be able to say that there's a time and place for a project like this to manifest in Hickory.

"Collaborating with Pam and Molly is a pleasure. We've been tweaking, rewriting and rearranging almost everyday since auditions. Those familiar with Molly's comedies should know she's a good songwriter! What's important to note is that the actors have had a hand in influencing and inspiring those changes. That's priceless. We've been blessed with an amazing cast including Tim Bolick in the lead role of Steve."

"Christmas Eve with Steve" is a new, original musical comedy written for the entire family by Molly Bass. Steve is disenchanted with Christmas, but discovers its true meaning on one magical, crazy night when the coach drags him out of the video store and back to church for a special, and especially hysterical, Christmas Eve service. Santa Claus meets the Tooth Fairy!

Jeff Hartman is an ASU alumnus. Jeff has worked professionally as a musician for over a decade across the country, having appeared in recent years with Steely Dan and Michael McDonald at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre. Hartman most recently appeared at McGlohan Theatre at Spirit Square in Charlotte for the Metrolina Theatre Awards and is currently directing music for Molly Bass's "Christmas Eve with Steve" at Hickory Theatre. He earned Best Actor in competition at the 2006 North Carolina Theatre Conference for his stage work in "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change." He is finishing his fourth studio album. jshartman.com

Christmas Eve with Steve
An Original Musical Performed on the Jeffers Mainstage
Hickory Theatre
30 Third St. NW
Hickory, NC 28601
828-327-3855
hickorytheatre.org

Performances:
8:00 pm Fridays & Saturdays, November 28, 29, December 5, 6, 12 & 13
7:30 pm Thursdays, December 4 & 11
2:30 pm Sundays, December 7 & 14

Tickets prices:
$16 for adults
$14 for seniors
$7 for youth and students
Thursday Night Special $12 Adult/Senior Tickets

Group rates are available. Please call for details. 828-328-2283

God bless you and thank you for supporting performing arts.

Connect with Jeff Hartman Online at:
jshartman.com