
NarroWay Marks Twenty Years of World-Class Christian Entertainment
Faith-based theatre first opened May 22, 1997
FORT MILL, S.C. - May 22, 2017 - May 22 will forever be a marked day in NarroWay history. On May 22, 1997, "The Broadway of Christian Entertainment," opened her doors to a live audience for the first time in a renovated amphitheater just outside of Charlotte. Today, May 22, 2017, marks twenty years of performances for NarroWay Productions, now one of the few premier Christian theater companies in the world.
Founders, writers and directors Yvonne Clark and Rebecca Martin have stood at the helm of NarroWay since its inception. Together, they have guided what was once just a name quietly spoken in a promise, to become a thriving dinner theatre forging new ground in Christian entertainment.
Currently, NarroWay ranks second on TripAdvisor among all dinner theaters in the state of South Carolina, including those in the popular beachfront areas. The number one thing to do in Fort Mill, NarroWay is the only continuous-running dinner theater in the greater Charlotte area. Original, faith-based shows make NarroWay a top religious travel attraction for groups all over the United States.
In twenty years, Martin and Clark have written twenty-one original shows performed on the NarroWay stage. Large-scale, Broadway-style shows are the core component of the production schedule. But NarroWay also features mystery theaters and children's shows. "The Real Christmas Story," originally featured as "Jerusalem in Lights" is the only show to run consistently for twenty years. "Samson: the Last Judge" is the most recent Broadway-style show, opening in May 2015.
In twenty years, the NarroWay cast has grown from less than 80 people who opened the first show, to nearly 500 who rotate in multiple shows throughout the year. Of those,twenty-one have been actively involved for 20 consecutive years.
NarroWay celebrated its 20th anniversary in September, marking the official incorporation of the company as a South Carolina non-profit. While incorporated on September 17, 1996, NarroWay had yet to hold the first audition for cast members. A dilapidated amphitheater had to be renovated. Lighting and sound had to be installed. And a show had to be staged. Yet, in just eight months, "Two Thieves and A Savior" took the stage, marking the beginning of live theater performances for NarroWay Productions.
NarroWay moved from the amphitheatre in December 2005 and opened indoors at the NarroWay Theatre in July 2006. Today, NarroWay features year-round dinner theater performances, just outside of Charlotte at I-77 exit 90.
More about the NarroWay journey can be found in the NarroWay Story blog series written by founders Martin and Clark.
20th Anniversary Video
videography by Mark Bing
originally designed for 3 large screens
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