When the lights dim this Saturday night at McGregor Hall, the audience can expect to be wowed – the Traveling Salvation Show has come to town!

It’s the first in the 2024-25 McGregor Live! series, which features some top touring companies mixed with local talent taking the stage to entertain audiences into the fall, winter and beyond.

“It is a really energetic, fun show,” said McGregor Hall Executive Director Mark Hopper of the Saturday show, a tribute band of sorts to music legend Neil Diamond.

“This is a really professional outfit,” Hopper said, “with a top-shelf band.” The show begins at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14.

The company travels with a live band, backup singers and terrific lighting to create an unforgettable concert, with a nod to Diamond’s extensive body of work over the course of many decades of performing in arenas and concert venues all over the world.

Purchase season tickets for McGregor Live! at https://www.mcgregorhall.org/

The price is $135 – a bargain no matter how you slice it, Hopper said.

“It’s a real value – the price is NOT indicative of the level of performance,” he said. “You will not be able to attend this kind of entertainment for this cost.” Hopper takes great pride in keeping ticket prices as low as possible – he said nobody will pay more than $35 for a show at McGregor Hall.

As executive director, it’s Hopper’s job to manage the calendar, booking shows and other types of entertainment during the year.

It’s not as simple as making a phone call and booking an act, however. Sometimes, he can schedule a performance for a touring company that’s traveling between shows say, in Charlotte and Richmond, or between Asheville and Wilmington.

And as important as landing those big-name acts is, Hopper said it’s the tip of the proverbial iceberg when it comes to generating revenue.

The annual sponsorship campaign just ended for the upcoming season includes more than 100 businesses and others who recognize the impact performances at McGregor Hall has on the local economy – retail, lodging, restaurants and more, Hopper said.

The sponsorships are “a huge portion of our income,” he added, and make it possible to keep ticket prices affordable so the whole community can attend and enjoy plays, concerts and more at the 1,000-seat entertainment venue.

If the big acts represent the tip of the revenue iceberg, Hopper said all the rentals and community events comprise the other two-thirds that goes unnoticed. Whether it’s summertime family reunions, church services throughout the year or other competitions, Hopper said McGregor Hall is a place the community uses and enjoys.

Here’s a quick rundown of the rest of the performances scheduled for season’s McGregor Live! series:

• Nov. 2-3, 9-10 – “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” – about 100 members of cast and crew are in rehearsals now for this local production, “just about the biggest one we’ve ever tackled,” Hopper said. He is the show’s director and he said the storyline isn’t in lockstep with the Disney movie, but the music comes straight from movie score. “This one’s going to be a big deal,” he said.
• Dec. 20 – “Grand Ol’ Christmas Show” brings to the stage all the trappings of a classic variety show – Hopper said it’s a great family show that will surely put everyone in a holiday mood. This company is based in Texas, and brings a dozen performers who will sing, dance and tell stories to create “a really good family night,” Hopper said.
• Feb. 14-16, 22-23 – The Bridges of Madison County – with four shows in February, this performance, also directed by Hopper, will debut on Valentine’s Day. Auditions will be held in October, and Hopper said he expects to draw interest from a great distance to earn a spot in the eight-member cast. “Nobody in the Triangle has tackled this before,” he said. By the way, there will be a special dinner available on Opening Night – Feb. 14 – in the Gallery, so Hopper said folks can opt to add a special Valentine’s dinner before the curtain rises.
• Mar. 27 – Shadow Dance “is the BIG one,” Hopper said. A company called Catapult will tell stories via silhouette. This group was on the TV show “America’s Got Talent” and is doing a two-month tour on the East Coast, Hopper said. “It’s the most unique, fascinating thing you’ll see on the stage…it’s mesmerizing to watch them.”

Visit www.mcgregorhall.org to see the full calendar of events.

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