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Christmas with Neel Patrick and Friends

THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS

Friday, December 19, 2025 @ 7:30 PM | The Simpsonville Arts Center Theatre

Hartworks Theatrics proudly presents The Spirit of Christmas, a one-night-only holiday concert filled with carols, classics, and festive cheer. Set against a fully decked-out stage of glowing trees and warm lights, Neel Patrick Edwards returns with a live trio and special guests for an evening of warmth, nostalgia, and true holiday spirit.

THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS:
Christmas with Neel Patrick & Friends

THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS: Christmas with Neel Patrick & Friends

THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS:
Christmas with Neel Patrick & Friends

Friday, December 19, 2025 @ 7:30 PM
The Simpsonville Arts Center Theatre

Upstate performer Neel Patrick Edwards returns to the beautiful theatre at the Simpsonville Arts Center with The Spirit of Christmas, a one-night-only concert filled with carols, classics, and cheer.Set against a fully decked-out stage of glowing trees and warm lights, this intimate two-act concert is the perfect addition to your Christmas week.Featuring more than 30 Christmas classics, the evening is led by Neel Patrick Edwards and a LIVE trio, promising warmth, laughter, nostalgia, and true holiday spirit. The incomparable Lance Bastian returns on piano, alongside Wil Johnson on bass and Lucas Wiley on percussion. Special guest performances feature Celia Blitzer, Jonathan Kilpatrick, Rod McClendon, and Mollie Wheeler. Neel Patrick lends his warm vocal style to uniquely festive arrangements inspired by the classic sounds of Tony Bennett, Michael Bublé, Nat King Cole, Elvis Presley, and more.

2025 marks Hartworks Theatrics' third consecutive Christmas season in Simpsonville and the fifth installment of the “Christmas with Neel Patrick & Friends” concert series– celebrating “Five Golden Years” of a growing holiday tradition!

Frequently Asked Questions

Where will the show take place?

THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS: Christmas with Neel Patrick and Friends will take place inside the beautiful Simpsonville Arts Center auditorium.

The Simpsonville Arts Center is located in the heart of Downtown Simpsonville at 110 Academy St.

Where can I park?

NEW FOR 2025: The City of Simpsonville has recently completed construction on the brand-new Gracely Park, located directly beside the Simpsonville Arts Center. The two share a connecting drive and parking lot, making it easier than ever to park just steps away from the theatre’s entrance.

When facing the Arts Center (on Academy St.), parking is available immediately to the left side of the building along the connecting Park Drive. If you're coming in from Highway 417, you can easily enter Park Drive between the Simpsonville Police and Fire Departments on E Curtis St.

Additional parking is available along Academy St., across the street at First Baptist Simpsonville, on College St., and on Church St.

What’s the show like?

All shows in the Christmas with Neel Patrick and Friends series are intimate vocal performance concerts led by Upstate-based performer Neel Patrick Edwards, accompanied by pianist Lance Bastian leading a small trio of musicians, and a few special guests.

It’s a cozy, relaxing, easy-listening kind of holiday evening—filled with warmth, cheer, and even a couple of laughs.

What’s the run time of the show?

The show typically runs about two and a half hours, including one intermission.

When should I arrive?

Doors to the Simpsonville Arts Center auditorium will open approximately 30 minutes before showtime, with the lobby opening a few minutes prior.

We recommend arriving early to find parking, take photos in the lobby, and enjoy the festive atmosphere before the concert begins.

Where can I buy tickets?

Tickets can be purchased right here on our website (using the button above), or directly through our official ticketing link:

👉 https://hartworks.ludus.com/

Remember: Hartworks Theatrics (through our box office partner, Ludus) is the only authorized ticketing provider for this event.

How do I contact the Box Office? I need help with purchasing tickets or have another question.

If you run into any issues or have any questions, please email us at [email protected] with your name, question, and contact information, and someone will respond promptly.

The Theatre

Broadband Providers

The Simpsonville Arts Center
110 Academy St. Simpsonville, SC 29681

Lineup

Neel Patrick Edwards 
Lance BastianAccompanist
Wil JohnsonBass
Lucas WileyPercussion
Celia BlitzerSpecial Guest Soloist
Jonathan KilpatrickSpecial Guest Soloist
Rod McClendonSpecial Guest Soloist
Mollie WheelerSpecial Guest

Poster photo by Christopher Burkard Photography.

ABOUT HARTWORKS THEATRICS

About Hartworks

Hartworks Theatrics is a performing arts nonprofit based in the Upstate of South Carolina. We currently focus on producing intimate concerts and cabarets—simple, personal performances centered on the moment rather than large-scale production elements.Our work is presented at the Simpsonville Arts Center, where we aim to create welcoming, meaningful live experiences for audiences and artists alike. While our roots are in small, concert-style events, Hartworks remains open to exploring a range of performance opportunities and special projects as our organization grows.

Non-Profit Transparency

Hartworks Theatrics is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization, proudly recognized with a Gold Seal of Transparency from Candid.

PRESS

Latest Press Releases

Upstate Performer Neel Patrick Edwards Brings One-Night-Only Holiday Concert to the Simpsonville Arts Center

Simpsonville, SC — Upstate theatre performer Neel Patrick Edwards returns to the Simpsonville Arts Center this holiday season with The Spirit of Christmas: Christmas with Neel Patrick & Friends, a one-night-only concert performance presented by Hartworks Theatrics. The event will take place Friday, December 19 at 7:30 p.m.Now in its third consecutive year in Simpsonville and fifth overall, the Christmas with Neel Patrick & Friends series has quietly grown into an eagerly anticipated holiday tradition for returning audiences. Known for its intimate atmosphere, the evening trades spectacle for sincerity—offering classic and contemporary favorites performed with a cabaret-like, scaled-back trio sound. The ensemble is led by longtime accompanist Lance Bastian on piano, with Wil Johnson (bass) and Lucas Wiley (percussion). This season, Edwards welcomes special guest performances by fellow Upstate artists Celia Blitzer, Jonathan Kilpatrick, Rod McClendon, and Mollie Wheeler.“Each year, the goal is to create something personal, cozy, and festive—like a Christmas party at home,” says Edwards. “I’ve always loved those old holiday specials where the music was simple, honest, and full of heart. That’s the atmosphere we try to create here: something warm, easy, and familiar, where the sounds of the season speak for themselves. When you hear these songs, I want you to feel the simple magic of Christmas.”Tickets are $25 for the one-night-only performance on Friday, December 19 at 7:30 p.m.
For tickets and additional information, visit https://hartworks.org.

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About Hartworks Theatrics:
Hartworks Theatrics is a performing arts nonprofit based in the Upstate of South Carolina. The organization focuses on producing intimate concerts and cabarets—simple, personal performances centered on the moment rather than large-scale production elements. Hartworks presents its work at the Simpsonville Arts Center and remains open to exploring a range of performance opportunities and special projects as the organization grows.About Neel Patrick Edwards:
Known to most as simply “Neel Patrick,” Spartanburg native Neel Patrick Edwards has been a member of the Upstate's performing arts community since elementary school. He is best known to Greenville audiences for his musical theatre performances, including The Producers (Max Bialystock), Guys and Dolls (Nicely-Nicely Johnson), and, most recently Jimmy Buffett’s Escape to Margaritaville (Brick) at Greenville Theatre. Locally, Neel Patrick has been seen in productions at GT, Centre Stage, the South Carolina Children’s Theatre, the Younts Center for Performing Arts, the Flat Rock Playhouse, and more. @neelpatrick

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WAYS TO SUPPORT HARTWORKS

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Click below to learn about all the ways you can support Hartworks as we grow!

As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization, Hartworks Theatrics relies on the generosity of patrons, donors, sponsors, advertisers, and volunteers to bring our quality artistic events life.Our website is currently under construction, but check back soon for more ways you can help our organization grow. Feel free to contact us at any time by emailing [email protected], or by filling out our "Contact" form here on the site.