CHARLESTON - Sister act Gracie & Lacy have been a staple in the Charleston arts scene since 2014, and while many know their faces from events like TEDx Charleston, Piccolo Spoleto, Charleston Symphony Pops, North Charleston Pops and more, it is less commonly known that the duo got their start performing on their driveway in St. Louis, MO. This year marks 25 years since the young thesbians strung a bedsheet “curtain” on a garden hose and began directing musicals in the front yeard with the neighborhood children. “Broadway on the Driveway” became an annual tradition and was soon attracting hundreds in the audience, resulting in a visit from the police and a request that the sisters find a new venue due to traffic jams they were causing.
Once off the driveway, Gracie & Lacy continued running their theatre company for 18 seasons and also launched a touring sister act that continues today. In 2014, the sisters made the move to Charleston, but not to worry, their Broadway on the Driveway legacy continues in the Show Me State as younger siblings of the original cast members formed Act II - another driveway theatre - and later, another spinoff group called Take III launched to carry on the tradition.
In celebration of their 25th year as a sister act, Gracie & Lacy have teamed up with the historic Queen St. Playhouse for a 5pm NYE performance entitled “The Best is Yet To Come.” The show will feature THAT Charleston Band - a stellar, 6-piece ensemble that will highlight the area’s finest talent. Musical selections have been selected around a theme of hope for the new year. A blend of familiar popular and jazz standards, the sisters will also throw in a dash of original music, including Lacy’s “There is Hope," arranged by Jon Phillips.
“If you have lost your hope or just need a break from the stress of life, come be uplifted!” says Lacy, the younger of the sisters. “In our own family, we have dealt with domestic violence, loss and suicide over the years - music and faith were truly and anchor for us and we really want to share that at this concert.”
In addition to singing, older sister Gracie has found the greatest stress-reliever to be dancing. Tap dancing to be precise. She has extensively studied greats like Fred Astaire, Eleanor Powell and the Nicholas Brothers and makes it her aim to preserve the art form and carry it into the next generation. She regularly teaches private lessons and is also an instructor for Musical Theatre Center in Mt. Pleasant.
“The Best is Yet To Come” will be held on Dec. 31st at 5pm at the Queen St. Playhouse. Tickets are $50 for adults and $25 for students. A limited number of $100 tickets are being released for the VIP Pre-Show Reception held at 4pm in the beautiful Philadelphia Alley, including hors d’veures and a history tour of the historic theatre. For info and tickets, visit: gracieandlacy.com.
