黑料社入口

听

James Stephens III has written a book about how to make a million dollars as a standup comedian鈥nd no one knows who you are.

Thousands of people across the U.S. and the globe know Stephens and the many talents he possesses. But that doesn鈥檛 necessarily apply to people in Myrtle Beach and he wants to change that. After seven years at his Asher Theater just across the Intracoastal Waterway on Highway 501, he remains a hidden gem in the Grand Strand entertainment world.

For six nights a week, and sometimes seven nights, Stephens either puts on a show featuring just himself or an expanded night of music that could be a Motown tribute or even a duo with a 鈥淔rank Sinatra鈥� performer.

Stephens bills himself as The Man of a Thousand Voices and that鈥檚 probably not a stretch. He may go from Elvis to Michael Jackson to Bill Clinton or sitting behind a piano and sounding just like Ray Charles or Lionel Ritchie.

Over the last 40 years, he鈥檚 performed with some of the biggest names in show business in clubs, a myriad of TV shows, Carnegie Hall and even the White House. The walls of the lobby of his Asher Theater are adorned with photos of him with many of these folks who he calls friends.

When folks come to the Asher Theater, they leave astounded that such talent exists in this area. But not enough people make it across the waterway and Stephens is constantly trying听听to figure out how to get the word out about his shows.

The Asher Theater is the only African-American-owned theater along the Grand Strand. But Stephens says his shows appeal to all ages and all races.

鈥淔or seven years, we鈥檝e been trying to bring love and joy to the Myrtle Beach area,鈥� Stephens said. 鈥淔or some reason, I can鈥檛 get the hotels and timeshares to hop on board and support us. If we could just get more word out, this 300-seat auditorium would be filled every night.鈥�

Ending up in Myrtle Beach is the result of a life-long journey that has come full circle, a journey that began in nearby Dillon.

鈥淚 was born in Dillon,鈥� he said. 鈥淢y dad had an accident when I was 8 and I was taken in by a white couple from Seattle who were teaching in Dillon. The Drakes were a major influence in my life.鈥�

The family ended up back in Seattle where James went to college and spent a stint in the Air Force. While in high school, he was in the school band and also learned to play the piano, a talent he brings to the forefront today. With the performing bug growing, Stephens ventured about 1,000 miles south to Los Angeles.

In L.A., Stephens delved into the world of comedy, both standup and sketch. His talent for comedy and impersonations caught on quickly and caught the eye of studio executives.

鈥淚 was on all the comedy shows on TV,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 had a five-year contract with Columbia Pictures.鈥�

He was also a regular on the short-lived Dana Carvey show and was the 鈥淓d McMahon鈥� sidekick for the Stephanie Miller Show. He has come up with some specialty shows playing Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder and Lionel Ritchie that have garnered a lot of attention in other parts of the country.

Over the years, his talents took him to perform with some of the biggest names on the Vegas-circuit and into Europe. It was while performing at Harrah鈥檚 for Caesars that he and his wife decided to come back to South Carolina to set up a show venue and establish a scholarship foundation for underprivileged students.

And so was hatched the idea of the Asher Theater.

Several nights a week, it鈥檚 just Stephens and all of his characters. He mixes the impersonations with some very funny standup routines. On Saturday nights, he brings in other performers for an outstanding Motown tribute. The troupe includes the grandson of South Carolina鈥檚 Brook Benton who performs his granddad鈥檚 鈥淩ainy Night in Georgia.鈥�

鈥淲e鈥檙e just trying to bring some top-notch entertainment to this area,鈥� Stephens said. 鈥淗onestly, it鈥檚 frustrating when I can鈥檛 get area businesses to support us. We do have some tour bus companies that have found us and that helps a lot. This costs a lot of money to put on and we鈥檇 love to have these 300 seats filled every night.鈥�

For those who didn鈥檛 realize there鈥檚 an international star in our midst, it would be worth a visit to the Asher Theater. There are probably some voices out of 1,000 you will love.