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On Feb. 16, downtown Greenville’s Ritz Theater will transform into a real-life Honky Tonk.

Jason Petty, the star of ‘Hank and my Honky Tonk Heroes’ will take center stage for a once-in-a-lifetime performance.

“He’s really fun,” said Nancy Idland, Director of the Greenville Area Arts Council.

Petty will pay tribute to some of the legions of country music, such as Jimmy Rogers, Roy Acuff, and Ernest Tubbs.

Petty has been portraying Hank Williams on stage since 1996 when he hit the famous stage at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.

He has also performed over a dozen times on the Grand Ole Opry

Petty starred in ‘Hank Williams: Lost Highway’ at the Little Shubert Theater in New York, playing to sold-out audiences. 

His performance there ran for nine months.

After receiving rave reviews from the New York Times, Variety, and Rolling Stone magazine, Petty won an Obie Award for Outstanding Actor for his performance as Williams.

An Obie Award is the theater award for the Best Off and Off-Off Broadway performances.

It honors the best and highest quality of Off Broadway theater.

Petty’s performance on stage has been called insightful and energetic.

He plays the music from both those who influenced Hank Williams and those Williams influenced. 

Petty and his four-piece band play some of Williams’ all-time favorite hits, like: ‘Your Cheatin’ Heart’, ‘I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry’, and the toe tapping hit ‘Hey Good Lookin’.

Petty received the highest accolade from Don Helms, a member of Williams band the Drifting Cowboys.

“I played with Hank for many years,” Helms said. “No one comes close to the look, sound and charisma of Petty.He’s the best, hands down.”

Petty will take the Ritz stage at 7 p.m.

Tickets are still available for$30 and can be purchased at www.seeyuattheritz.com.