Pelzer residents will have a chance to experience a powerful piece of American musical theater when Mill Town Players presents “Floyd Collins” at the Historic Pelzer Auditorium from Oct. 2‑11. The production, starring local actor Phillip Rast in the title role, dramatizes the 1925 tragedy of Kentucky cave explorer Floyd Collins, whose desperate rescue captured the nation’s attention.
Local talent leads the cast
Rast, who first discovered the show while studying musical theater at Coastal Carolina University in 2015, says the role has been a decade‑long dream. “I was like, oh my gosh, I’ve got to do this show,” he told the Greenville Journal. He will spend much of the performance lying onstage, embodying Collins’ confinement underground, and will tackle demanding vocal passages that include yodeling, echo effects and the folk‑bluegrass blend that composer Adam Guettel is known for.
Production highlights
The show incorporates projections and historic photographs from the original rescue effort, designed by Rast himself, to illustrate the media frenzy that descended on the rural community in the 1920s. The visual elements aim to spark conversation about the fine line between honoring a tragic story and profiting from it—a theme Rast says resonates with today’s culture.
Why the story matters
Beyond the suspense of a man trapped in a cave, “Floyd Collins” explores timeless questions of ambition, faith, and the cost of fame. Collins dreamed of turning his Appalachian home into a tourist destination that could lift his impoverished community out of hardship. The musical asks whether his vision was courageous or reckless, inviting audiences to reflect on the balance between personal dreams and communal responsibility.
Family‑friendly entertainment
With ticket prices ranging from $16 to $18, the production offers an affordable cultural outing for families seeking wholesome, thought‑provoking entertainment. The show’s blend of American folk music, bluegrass, and Guettel’s “hill music” score provides a uniquely Southern sound that honors regional heritage while delivering a high‑quality theatrical experience.
Practical information
Performance dates: Oct. 2‑11
Location: Historic Pelzer Auditorium, 214 Lebby St., Pelzer, SC
Tickets: $16‑$18, available by calling 864‑947‑8000 or visiting milltownplayers.org
Mill Town Players invites the community to join them for a night of music, history, and reflection that underscores the power of faith, perseverance, and the arts to bring people together.
Original reporting: Greenville Journal — read the source article.
