by VICTORIA HENLEY
CTFashionMag.com
Myrtle Beach, which has hosted “tourists” dating back to the times of the early Spanish settlers who sailed across the Atlantic Ocean, has experienced a meteoric rise in popularity since its establishment as a city in 1938, when its population was a mere 5,000.
Myrtle Beach now hosts approximately 14 million tourists from around the world each year, who flock to the area for its beautiful beaches, world class shows, dynamic attractions and flourishing nightlife scenes.
Often referred to as “The Golf Capitol of the World”, Myrtle Beach offers over 100 championship golf courses in the area as well as 30 miniature golf courses and an array of exciting destinations that draw adventure seekers of all ages and backgrounds.
I recently scoured this coastal Carolina gem for the very best shows, activities, and restaurants you won’t want to miss on your next vacation.
(Special thanks to Julie Ellis and the Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce Team for their assistance in facilitating our reviews. Be sure to reach to out to the Chamber for assistance in planning your Myrtle Beach Vacation: (843) 626-7444, myrtlebeachareachamber.com )
Social Media Channels:
Facebook.com/VisitmyrtlebeachSC
Instagram @MyMyrtleBeach
NOTE: Your social media follows and tags, and especially your Trip Advisor and Google reviews help performers, theaters, restaurants, hotels, and attractions tremendously in continuing to do what they do best. Be sure to give “5 stars” and write a glowing review for any of the following attractions you choose to visit during your next beach vacation, and when you visit, be sure to tell them Victoria Henley with IHeart Radio and CTFashionMag.com sent you.
SHOWS
CHARLES BACH’s WONDERS THEATRE (Experience three stellar shows, all under one roof at Myrtle Beach’s premiere entertainment destination, Broadway at the Beach.)
CHARLES BACH’S WONDERS SHOW
The theater’s namesake show features highly original world-class magic, grand scale illusions, and Broadway style dance numbers starring the theater’s owner and founder, Charles Bach.
Accompanied by his talented assistants/dancers, Sarah and Marisa, Bach brings to the stage Vegas worthy costumes, gigantic puppets, dazzling slight of hand, and fun opportunities for audience interaction. Bach brings class and elegance to the stage as he seamlessly transitions from one act to the next in his content-driven show, and his illusions are remarkably original and unique.
Bach has taken his Wonders Show to 55 countries around the world. A few of his many credits include appearances on Penn and Teller’s Fool Us, Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, and at the Magic Castle in Hollywood. Classical music fans will be excited to learn that he is a descendant of musical royalty (yes, THAT Bach) and will surely be pleased by the classical tunes that play throughout the show.
CATCH THIS!!! COMEDY VARIETY SHOW
International juggling superstar and nine-time Guinness World record holder (his ninth world record was established on the Wonder’s Stage), Niels Duinker, brings his signature humor and world famous juggling skill to the Wonders stage in a fast-paced show that is perfect for the whole family. Clubs, machetes, apples, and more fly through the air in this action- packed show, and there are several opportunities throughout the show for the kids (and kids at heart) to join onstage as a volunteer.
Duinker’s many credits include appearances on “America’s Got Talent,” Nickelodeon, Disney cruise lines, The Amish Country Theater in Berlin Ohio, and a successful three year run at The Comedy Barn Theater in Pigeon Forge Tenn.
Duinker has worn many hats, working as a mentor and juggling instructor, a brand entrepreneur and author /publisher (his latest auto-biographical book “Tossed and Found”, published through his own company, ND Publishing, chronicles his Dutch upbringing and journey to fame within the juggling community.)
STEVE FALCON’S COMEDY HYPNOSIS HOUR
See the show or be the show at Broadway at the Beach’s only comedy hypnosis show starring Las Vegas hypnotist, Steve Falcon. A racy, naughty, and totally irreverent party for ages 18 and up only, Falcon mixes signature seedy comedy with traditional hypnosis technique, for a hilarious and shocking show unlike anything you’ve ever seen before.
The show is all in good fun, and while the content is largely thematic and for adults only, volunteers are not forced to do or say anything they do not actually want to do.
Falcon, has appeared “90 Day Fiancé: Happily Ever After” on Discovery Channel, “90 Days of the Single Life,” and History Channel’s “Pawn Stars.” He has performed for many years at the world famous Paris Hotel in fabulous Las Vegas Nevada
WEBSITE: wonderstickets.com
PHONE: (843) 286-5003
ALABAMA THEATRE
Consistently voted a top entertainment theater by visitors and locals, the Alabama Theatre is presenting “One: The Show”, which combines Broadway quality vocalists and dancers, performing an array of showtunes. Sizzling dance numbers, dazzling costumes and state of the art lighting all come together for a jaw-dropping show.
A few of the many standout numbers include a high octane tribute to “The Lion King,” a Broadway medley, and acts by comedian and juggler, Slim Chance (voted Country Comedian of the Year) who incorporates ventriloquism and “box juggling” (initially popularized by the legendary W.C Fields ) within his routine.
Greg Rowles, the emcee, is a lifelong musician with many credits to his name, including Star Search’s “Male Vocalist of the Year.”,The principal cast of vocalists lead the show.
WEBSITE: Alabama-theatre.com
PHONE: 1 (800) 342-2262
LOCAL: (843) 272-1111
The ALABAMA THEATRE is also known and loved for its constantly rotating line up of celebrity guest acts, including household name bands and solo acts of all genres, celebrity tribute artists and comedians. I was fortunate to take in one of the theater’s world famous, award winning touring acts
Be sure to check the Alabama Theatre’s website to see which exciting group or artist will be taking the stage next!
1964: THE BEATLES TRIBUTE
1964: The Tribute is arguably one of the greatest Beatles tribute bands of all time (Rolling Stone Magazine deemed this band, “The Greatest Beatles Tribute on Earth”), with an impressive and extensive resume, having shared the stage at top music venues with the likes of Dave Matthews, Smokey Robinson, Rod Stewart, LeAnn Rimes and The Beach Boys. Focusing on 1964, the quintessential moment in history when The Beatles actually played before a live audience, this outstanding tribute show gives audiences the opportunity to relive the palpable energy, relentlessly catchy musicality and nuanced performance that made The Beatles an international sensation.
A visit to the “1964” Tribute Show makes it evident why Dick Clark quipped that the show “Creates the Magic of the Beatles”, right down to the onstage banter, hairstyles, dialect, and period instruments.
The cast (which is Mark Benson as John Lennon, Mac Ruffing as Paul McCartney, Tom Work as George Harrison, and Robert Potter as Ringo Starr) has been enchanting audiences around the world for over 30 years.
WEBSITE: www.1964web.com
THE CAROLINA OPRY THEATER:
Often imitated but never duplicated, the Carolina Opry holds the esteem of being the first theater in Myrtle Beach, the only one to receive the Governor’s Cup and the only theater to be designated “Most Outstanding Attraction” by the state of South Carolina.
The brainchild of visionary executive producer, Calvin Gilmore (whom you will also find directing and on vocals as well as lead guitar), The Carolina Opry holds talent to an extremely high standard, with a remarkably engaged principal cast, whose powerhouse vocal skills will leave you awestruck.
Internationally renowned clogging sensation, All That (as seen on “America’s Got Talent”) joined the show in 2006 and has entertained thousands of visitors nightly at the Carolina Opry with their innovative hip hop twist on clogging. No strangers to acclaim, the group has been awarded The Pioneer Award, the highest honor in clogging, for their continuous work in integrating clogging into the mainstream media.
The theater’s namesake show, The Carolina Opry, blends two of hours of high energy, top quality music, dance, comedy , state of the art lighting, and costuming into a live theatrical production you’ll have to see to believe. The show’s resident comedian is outrageously funny with highly original, non-stop content ranging from standup comedy, parody songs, and unforgettable interactive bits with other cast members.
Also at the Carolina Opry Theater is
TIME WARP
Time Warp features the cast of the Smoky Mountain Opry, bringing to the stage all the greatest hits from the ’60’s, ’70’s and ’80’s, along with elaborate period costuming, special effects, and multi media screens. The show includes powerhouse vocalists Christie Templeton, Tangena Church, Chas Croft Sorrells, fiddling champion Trent Wideman and bluegrass virtuoso, Gary Brown.
This show featured new songs, side-splitting comedy, new costumes and fresh new energy season after season with rousing tributes to Woodstock, and all of the boundary breaking, iconic artists spanning the genres and decades, that you grew to know and love.
Step back in time with Time Warp for an experience that will leave you inspired by the past and singing and dancing well into the future!
WEBSITE: theCarolinaOpry.com
PHONE: (843) 649-0301
LEGENDS IN CONCERT
Legends in Concert brings all the glitz and glamour of fabulous Las Vegas directly to Myrtle Beach. 2021 has seen an exciting line up of stellar artists paying tribute to Cher, Shania Twain, Pat Benatar, The Blues Brothers, and of course, the King himself, Elvis Presley. An impressive ensemble of dancers (many of whom also sing pitch-perfect back up to the principal artists) grace the stage as a live band plays all the most iconic hits from all the timeless superstars that you know and love. The look and sound of each cast member bears uncanny resemblance to the original artists, and Legends is set apart by many tribute shows in that every artist performs each vocal piece live…no lip syncing allowed. Moreover, each artist sounds remarkably identical vocally to the icons they impersonate, and the live band provides phenomenal accompaniment to each performer in this non-stop, two hour show.
Since its debut at the Imperial Palace in 1983, Legends in Concert has entertained over 30 million fans globally, earning entertainment industry awards along the way including “Show of the Year,” “Entertainers of the Year”, and the prestigious “Grand Slam.”
Be sure to check out the other fantastic affiliated Legends shows across the United, including the Branson, Mo. and Owa (Foley, Al.) shows I have previously covered for Backstage Pass on IHeart Radio/FCB Radio and CTFashionMag.com
WEBSITE: legendsinconcert.com
PHONE: 1 (800) 960-7469
GTS THEATRE
GTS is a family-run, cabaret style theatre, that is, at once, intimate and unmistakably unique. Owned and operated by celebrity hypnotists, who once headlined one of the most publicized touring hypnosis shows, Beth and Rich Wilde, GTS offers guests a special and memorable experience to keep them talking the whole way home from vacation.
Below are a few of GTS’s headlining shows you will not want to miss on your next trip to Myrtle Beach:
MOTOWN TRIBUTE SHOW
Starring an award-winning cast, including Chris Hennigan, the Mo Town Tribute show features numbers that tribute to all the MoTown era greats, including The Temptations, The Marvellettes, The Supremes and The Isley Brothers.
Guests are permitted, and encouraged to get on their feet, dance, sing along, and even interact with the stars at various points during the show, at what can only be described as one of the most fun, music filled parties you’ll find in Myrtle Beach.
MICHAEL BAIREFOOT
Michael Bairefoot has traveled around the world, delighting thousands with his sharp humor and unparalleled slight of hand. The International Brotherhood of Magicians presented Michael with the sought-after “Magic Idol” award, earning him a spot performing at the iconic Magic Castle in Hollywood, Calif. Bairefoot seamlessly integrates comedy throughout his routine, performing unbelievable magic, using simple household items like dental floss and rope, before executing more complex feats like mind reading, all while keeping the audience in uproarious laughter from start to finish. A delightful hybrid of a classic magician and a stand up/insult comedian (don’t worry…the jokes are done in a fun-not a bullying-manner), and no one is safe from being the “star” of the joke in a Michael Bairefoot audience. Engaging, entertaining, and undeniably hilarious, a trip to the Michael Bairefoot show makes it obvious why each of these magician’s awards are well-earned.
WEBSITE: GTStheatre.com
PHONE: (843) 765-4386
LE GRANDE CIRQUE AT BROADWAY AT THE BEACH
Gracing Broadway at the Beach for a limited time only, Le Grande Cirque is a high energy, adrenaline pumping celebration of human strength and dexterity, featuring an array of unbelievably talented acrobats, aerialists, jugglers, archers, skaters, dancers, and Darren, an extremely gifted juggler who also serves as the comic relief of the show.
LeGrand Cirque has entertained over 25 million people, and counting, throughout its international tours. A one of a kind masterpiece featuring unique acts that will take your breath away, LeGrand Cirque is home of some of the world’s most trained, skilled, and seasoned performers all leading up to the pulse pounding grand finale, “The Wheel of Death,” which will literally take your breath away.
Le Grand Cirque is located in the iconic Broadway Theater, conveniently located within walking distance to all Broadway at the Beach attractions. Select cast members make themselves available to pose with the audience after each show.
WEBSITE: broadwaytheatermb.com
PHONE: (843) 626-7645
THE COMEDY CABANA
Myrtle Beach’s only five star comedy club, with a star studded rotating roster of guest comics, now features three new professional comics weekly. Comedy mega-stars including Jay Leno, David Letterman, Pauly Shore and Jackie Martling have taken the stage at the Comedy Cabana over the past 25 years.
WEBSITE: comedycabana.com
PHONE: (843) 449-4242
Victoria Henley is host of Backstage Pass on IHeart Radio/FCB Radio and a former contestant on “America’s Next Top Model.”