Hello, and welcome to the show! I am delighted that you are here. Thank you for joining us for the FIRST-EVER performance produced by (and fundraising for) Hartworks Theatrics!

In June 2023, after much consideration, dreaming, and encouragement, I decided to officially start my own nonprofit producing arts organization, a dream I have harbored since high school. Enter Hartworks.

My goal for this new organization is to not only produce traditional theatrical entertainment but also cabarets, staged readings, staged concerts, experimental theatre, and black-box theatrical performances. Your support for this inaugural event is the first step in helping to launch our organization, and I sincerely thank you for your support!

When considering how to kick off this new adventure, I decided to utilize one of my favorite things: Christmas! This will be my third “Christmas with Neel Patrick and Friends” special, but the first since the pandemic. I am incredibly grateful to Melissa and everyone at the gorgeous Simpsonville Arts Center for allowing us to use their beautiful space and offering a home for Hartworks as an organization. This marks the beginning of many collaborations! (I’m excited to say that it looks like we’ll be BACK at the Simpsonville Arts Center for the 2024 AND 2025 Christmas seasons... more on that soon!)

THANK YOU so incredibly much for taking the time out of your busy holiday schedules to celebrate the Christmas season with me in this special way! I know this is a cliché, but it still rings true... your 'presence' really is the best 'present' this time of year! I sincerely hope you enjoy our little evening of heartfelt carols-- cabaret style!

May your days be merry and bright, and may you have a most blessed 2024 filled with love, light, laughter, and happiness.

- Neel Patrick

ONSTAGE

Leading Vocalist
Neel Patrick Edwards

Accompanist
Lance Bastian

Bass
Wil Johnson

Percussion
Jonathan Gilstrap

Guest Soloists
Rod McClendon
Riley Fincher-Foster
Jonathan Kilpatrick

Comedy
Mollie Wheeler

COLLABORATORS

Sound
Guillermo Jemmott

Lighting Design
Meetra Moyer

Lighting Operator
Samantha Eyler

Hartworks Theatrics Executive Producer
Neel Patrick Edwards

SPECIAL THANKS

Mandy Edwards and Susan Hawkins; Neel Edwards, Melissa Sturgis, Jonathan Kilpatrick, Chad Foster, Barry and Beth Brockman; Tammy Hoyler, Leigh West, Kay Bright, Bootsy Edwards, and Donnie and Vicki League.

Hartworks Theatrics wishes to express our deepest gratitude to Melissa, the City of Simpsonville, and everyone at the Simpsonville Arts Center for welcoming and providing a home for us in their beautiful theatre!

Volunteers for this Production: Lynne Clifford, Sharon Stone, Lee Turza, Shari Carpenter, Yvonne Farmer, and Tammy Hoyler