Medora Musical facts for kids
The Medora Musical is a fun outdoor show that happens every summer in Medora, North Dakota. It's performed at the Burning Hills Amphitheater, which is a big outdoor stage. This musical takes you back to the exciting "Wild West" days. It also tells stories about Theodore Roosevelt, who was a U.S. President and spent time exploring western North Dakota, especially near Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
The show first started in 1965. It followed earlier shows that were also about Theodore Roosevelt. Many people come to see the musical each year, with over 116,000 visitors expected in 2017.
Contents
The Story of the Medora Musical
How the Outdoor Stage Began
The Burning Hills Amphitheater was built in 1958. It's located about one mile west of Medora. The first show performed there was called Old Four-Eyes. This show celebrated the 100th birthday of Theodore Roosevelt. Many people came to see it, and almost all of the 33 performances were completely sold out.
Changes Over the Years
After a few years, fewer people were interested in Old Four-Eyes. So, the show ended in 1964. For the 1963 and 1964 seasons, a new show called Teddy Roosevelt Rides Again took its place.
In 1965, a businessman from North Dakota named Harold Schafer bought the amphitheater. He was also the president of the Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park and Badlands Association. Harold Schafer made some big changes. He made the stage bigger and added more seats for the audience. After these improvements, the Medora Musical opened. It was created with the help of Al Sheehan Productions, which put together a lively outdoor variety show.
Keeping the Show Going
In 1986, the Schafer family and their company, Gold Seal, gave their share in Medora to the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation (TRMF). This foundation helps take care of the amphitheater and other historical places.
The amphitheater got a big upgrade in 1991. It cost $4.1 million! The seating area was made even larger, holding 2,863 people. A brand new stage was built, and escalators were added to help people get to their seats. There was also a ramp for wheelchairs. The new Burning Hills Amphitheater was finished in 1992 when all the new seats were put in. More building work was done in 1997. In 2005, the stage sets were also updated. Curt Wollan, from StageWest Entertainment Inc., has been the director and producer of the musical for a long time.
The Burning Hills Amphitheater
The outdoor stage was built right into the side of the badlands in a place called Burning Gulch. Local volunteers, the show's cast members, and boys from the Home on the Range Ranch all helped to build it.
When it was first built, the theater could hold between 1,000 and 1,200 people. It had wooden benches on the hillside. Simple buildings around the stage made up the set. The natural shape of the hillside helped the sound travel, so they didn't even need a sound system at first!
Past Show Names
- Ol’ Four Eyes (1958-1962)
- Teddy Roosevelt Rides Again (1963, 1964)
- Medora Musical (1965–present)
