CITIZEN
Chase Padgett, virtuoso actor and musician returns to the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre Thursday, Oct. 18 at 7:30 p.m. with his “curious tale of fingerpickin’ fury”.
In other words: Nashville Hurricane.
After his smash-hit 6 Guitars performance in November 2016, Padgett brings this new tour-de-force to the stage in Duncan.
Packed with hickory-smoked tunes, spellbinding storytelling and hilarious rants, a series of four characters are brought to life in this one-man masterpiece.
Padgett transforms into a manager, a mother, a mentor and the guitar prodigy, Henry Waltrip, himself as each character tells his or her side of the rise, demise and resurrection of the best damn guitar player you’ve never heard of, the Nashville Hurricane.
Padgett has taken the national fringe circuit by storm, performing to sold-out crowds at the Winnipeg, Edmonton and Vancouver Fringe Festivals, as well as receiving rave reviews from critics and audience members alike.
Nashville Hurricane is a new fringe favourite, already garnering The Best National Show and Best Original Work at the Orlando Fringe Festival and Best of the Fest at the Edmonton Fringe Festival.
With Nashville Hurricane, this talented performer has cranked up the dynamism, poignancy and sheer side-splitting hilarity of 6 Guitars, resulting in a show that weaves outrageous comedy seamlessly into heart-warming tenderness.
This hybrid of comedic character-acting and blazing guitar work takes the audience on a journey as Padgett unravels the turbulent story of Waltrip, the guitar prodigy. As the narrative unfolds, he flawlessly captures each character’s personality as well as the imaginations of the audience.
Storytelling at its best, Nashville Hurricane is an experience that resonates with audiences.
“It connects with people because it’s a human story about discovering who you really are, what you really want, and what it’s going to take to get there,” Padgett explained. “It’s a journey anyone can relate to and it just so happens to also have some kick-ass guitar playing in it.”
He continues, “Many of the stories are pulled from my own life, and sometimes they can still be a little scary to reveal even when told through a character. But after I first premiered the show, I saw how people reacted to these moments and I discovered the real power of vulnerability as an artist. At a certain point, the audience wants to know what makes you tick and expressing your fears or shortcomings not only endears the audience to you, but also makes the comedy jump out and hit much harder.”
Tickets are $29. Get them in person at the Cowichan Ticket Centre, or by phone at 250-748-7529 or online at cowichanpac.ca.