By Cindy Savoldi
One cozy December evening in 1987, a group of Holly Springs residents gathered together on a special Christmas mission. They put their scissors, hot glue guns and glitter to work in an effort to foster the spirit of community. Their gift would reflect the pride and self-respect of the hard-working people of Holly Springs.
Back then, the town of Holly Springs was a very different place. With a population of 700, Holly Springs was considered one of the poorest towns in Wake County. Nearly thirty percent of the town’s 200 homes did not have indoor plumbing. With weeds growing high and beautification efforts greatly needed, residents were concerned that some people stopped caring.
The town had not had Christmas decorations in as long as people could remember. Taking inspiration from pictures in a retail catalog, the small band of residents decided to create their own homemade Christmas decorations—three-foot-high multicolored stars, bells, candy canes and snowmen—which would be hung on street lamps throughout town. Pine wreaths wrapped with velveteen ribbon were also made and hung outside Town Hall, which at that time was a renovated historic house on Main Street. A banner was stitched and painted to read “Merry Christmas” and hung across Main Street. Red and green garlands soon adorned the wooden light poles in town, and it was all completed just in time for the annual Holly Springs Christmas Parade, which included two floats. They even had enough money left over to buy hot chocolate and cookies for the 100 people that attended the town’s first Christmas tree lighting ceremony.
This was a turning point for the town. Something bigger than Christmas decorations hanging from light poles was happening. The hope inspired by this humble group of women and men led to a change in the town. Community pride emerged. People worked together. Cheer replaced the darkness of winter. Town commissioners were so pleased with the efforts that the Christmas committee allocated $300 for more materials. Volunteers made enough decorations to adorn every light pole on Main Street. It was their idea of a gift to the town.
Holly Springs has since grown with large new buildings on Main Street filled with businesses, outdoor seating at restaurants, and even its own hospital; however, there was a day when Holly Springs was not much more than a place for people to slow down at the caution light, a quick pass through on their way to somewhere else.
The residents involved in making those first Christmas decorations likely had no idea of the impact their work would have. Today, Holly Springs boasts a population of over 40,000 people, a booming economy, and 75 floats in the Happy Holly Days Parade with an average attendance of about 3,000 people. Most don’t think much about the store-bought decorations hanging from the light poles each year. Yet it all started with people who believed in the town.
“The dedication of caring, compassionate, community-minded individuals has been at the heart of Holly Springs from its beginnings. Their stories laid the foundation of the town we have today,” reflects playwright and director Angie Staheli.
The desire to share these historical stories is what drove Staheli to write Finding Patience—The Musical: The Story of Holly Springs, a production eight years in the making. The original Finding Patience was first performed as a stage play in 2017 to over 2,000 people in 11 sold-out performances. Over the past two years, Staheli has collaborated with composer Jeremy Phillips, co-creator of Solace Theatre, and turned the play into a musical. Finding Patience—The Musical is scheduled to have 14 performances in June of 2022 at the Holly Springs Cultural Center.
“It’s full of powerful stories from the lives of those who lived here,” says Staheli. Although historical fiction, Staheli has spent years interviewing, researching and working with local historians.
“The main character is Patience, a remarkable soul who has watched over the town of Holly Springs for the past 175 years. With humor and heart, Patience uncovers the roots of Holly Springs, sharing its sorrows and heralding its hopes, revealing what every person wants most in this life—to be remembered,” shares Staheli.
Patience weaves together the stories of the wonderful, diverse people of Holly Springs’ past. “We all reap the benefits of their grit, determination, hard work and their vision,” says Staheli. “Learning their stories helps us to feel connected to where we live and allows us to find our place in the story of Holly Springs.”
Staheli moved to Holly Springs in 2013. With a rich background in acting, directing and playwriting, she saw the theatre space at the Holly Springs Cultural Center and thought, “What needs to be written and performed here?” She immediately felt a connection to the town and felt inspired to learn of its history. “A history book does nothing if it stays closed,” said Staheli. “Theatre allows us to breathe life into these people who have long since passed.”
Creating a musical theatre piece puts Finding Patience into a whole new category. With collaboration of Staheli’s lyrics and Jeremy Phillips’ musical talent, 21 songs have been written and composed for the show.
Phillips has enjoyed the challenge of exploring different genres of music. “It has been a lot of fun to really broaden my knowledge of period music,” said Phillips. “I have found myself walking through Target with my airpods in, listening to Civil War jams, African American spirituals, and Black Gospel music. I never would have had this opportunity without Angie’s vision for this play.”
Phillips continues, “Historical music cannot divorce from the hurts of the era. I have felt the weight of the characters’ stories as I have composed these songs. These songs were designed to be authentic and to honor these people and their families. Empathy is what makes theater so powerful. These songs were written to help the audience feel these people’s stories.”
When asked what the impact of adding music is with the upcoming production of Finding Patience, Phillips replied, “Jason Robert Brown has said, ‘When the emotion of the scene is too great for speaking, you sing. And when it is too great for singing, you dance.’ Finding Patience has an extremely powerful story. Adding music allows the actors to convey an emotion that is visceral and powerful. Bringing these new elements amplify all of that, allowing us to tell the story more effectively and powerfully. Get ready!” says Phillips. “These songs will knock your socks off!”
Like any production, Finding Patience—The Musical wouldn’t be possible without tremendous help from the community. Dozens of talented individuals have been at work behind the scenes assisting with everything from costumes to set design to events. Volunteer opportunities are still available for those who want to be involved. Auditions for actors, dancers and vocalists will be held in January and February. (See the sidebar for details.)
Much like the believing band of townspeople who gave all they had in the form of creativity, tinsel and ribbon in 1987, residents, businesses and artists throughout Holly Springs continue to make their gifts to the town. The spirit of community is all around and will soon be found onstage at the Holly Springs Cultural Center.
“I consider it to be much more than a play,” says Staheli. “It is a celebration of Holly Springs.”
