Seph Stanek on way to fame
By BILL BENGTSON
Halloween is barely past, but Seph Stanek is already in high Christmas gear, with Myrtle Beach as his new base of operations, and some of the entertainment world's top names among his neighbors.
Stanek, who attended elementary, middle and high school in North Augusta, has been based in Branson, Mo., over the course of the past few months, performing as part of a troupe known as the Twelve Irish Tenors, but recently shifted locations to Myrtle Beach for a Christmas show.
His new group goes by the same name, but the marquee now includes some names that rang Stanek's chimes. Among the big ones is Sandi Patty, whom Stanek credits as a huge force in his road to the stage. "It's an absolute dream come true to be sharing the stage with her down in Myrtle Beach," he noted.
Patty has been among the most prominent Christian singers of the past 30 years. Also on board are Michael W. Smith, another Christian headliner; Roy Clark, of Nashville and "Hee-Haw" fame; and Debbie Reynolds, star of "The Unsinkable Molly Brown" and "Singin' in the Rain."
Patty's dates are Nov. 16-21. Smith's are Dec. 3-5, and Reynolds is set for Dec. 8-12. Details on Stanek's latest venture are at www.palacetheatremyrtlebeach.com.
Stanek's background includes having become one of the first graduates of the South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities in 2004. He graduated from Furman University in 2008, with a degree in voice performance and the designation, via his classmates, of being "Most Likely to Become Famous."
