Medora Musical

Last updated
Medora
Medora Musical Stage June 2014.jpg
The Medora Musical at the Burning Hills Amphitheater in June 2014.
MusicBurning Hills Singers
Coal Diggers Band
Setting Medora, North Dakota; Theodore Roosevelt National Park
BasisLife and travels of President Theodore Roosevelt in the Dakota Territory
PremiereSummer 1965: Burning Hills Amphitheater

The Medora Musical is a musical revue produced each summer at the open-air Burning Hills Amphitheater near Medora, North Dakota. [1] The musical is a look back at the "Wild West" days of the region and includes references to Theodore Roosevelt, who spent time in western North Dakota, including in the nearby Theodore Roosevelt National Park. [2]

Contents

The musical premiered at the amphitheater in the summer of 1965 and is the successor to earlier shows about Roosevelt. [3] [4]

History

The Burning Hills Amphitheater was built in 1958 one mile west of Medora, for the production of Old Four-Eyes, to help celebrate Theodore Roosevelt's 100th birthday. Thirty of the thirty-three performances were sold out. [5]

Following its first season, 'Old Four-Eyes' experienced declining interest, leading to its closure in 1964. The show was replaced by 'Teddy Roosevelt Rides Again' for the 1963 and 1964 seasons.

In 1965, businessman Harold Schafer [5] purchased the amphitheater, marking a new era for the venue. Under Schafer's ownership, the amphitheater underwent renovations, including an expansion of the stage and seating area, in preparation for the launch of the Medora Musical in the same year.

In 1986 the Schafer family and the Gold Seal company donated their share in Medora to the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation (TRMF). The foundation maintains the amphitheater and historical properties and other projects. [6]

From its inception in 1965, the Medora Musical was produced by Al Sheehan Productions under the direction of Harold Schafer. This partnership continued until 1991 when Curt Wollan and StageWest Entertainment [7] assumed the role of producer. [2] Starting in 2024, RWS Global will take over the production of the Medora Musical. [8]

Burning Hills Amphitheater

The amphitheater was carved out of the side of the badlands in Burning Gulch by local volunteers, cast members and boys from the Home on the Range Ranch. The original theater seated between 1,000, and 1,200 people. It was constructed of wooden benches on the hillside with rustic buildings that formed a set around the stage. The natural acoustics of the hillside meant that no sound system would be needed.

In 1991, the amphitheater received a $4.1 million facelift which enlarged the seating to 2,863, [9] built new stage,[ citation needed ] installed escalators, [10] and a wheelchair ramp.[ citation needed ] The new Burning Hills Amphitheater was completed in 1992 with the installation of new seats. [10] Additional construction was completed in 1997.[ citation needed ]

In 2005 another major renovation was made to the sets and the stage, resulting in the modernized appearance and functionality of the amphitheater as it stands today. [11]

A high-capacity elevator was added to the amphitheater in 2022 to improve accessibility and access to the venue. [12]

Former show names

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">McKenzie County, North Dakota</span> County in North Dakota, United States

McKenzie County is a county in the U.S. state of North Dakota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 14,704. Its county seat is Watford City.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Medora, North Dakota</span> City in North Dakota, United States

Medora is a city in Billings County, North Dakota, United States. The only incorporated place in Billings County, it is also the county seat. Much of the surrounding area is part of either Little Missouri National Grassland or Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The population was 121 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Dickinson Micropolitan Statistical Area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Theodore Roosevelt National Park</span> National park in North Dakota, United States

Theodore Roosevelt National Park is an American national park of the badlands in western North Dakota comprising three geographically separated areas. Honoring U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt, it is the only American national park named directly after a single person.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ed Schafer</span> 29th United States Secretary of Agriculture

Edward Thomas Schafer is an American businessman and politician who served as the 30th governor of North Dakota from 1992 to 2000 and as the 29th United States secretary of agriculture from 2008 to 2009 under President George W. Bush. From January to July 2016 he served as interim president of the University of North Dakota.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maah Daah Hey Trail</span>

The Maah Daah Hey Trail is a 144-mile (232 km) non-motorized single track trail in North Dakota, United States, that reaches from USFS Burning Coal Vein Campground 30 miles south of Medora to the USFS CCC campground 16 miles south of Watford City. The Trail winds through the Little Missouri National Grasslands in North Dakota's Badlands to form the longest continuous singletrack mountain biking trail in America. Nine fenced campgrounds are accessible by gravel surfaced roads. The campgrounds include camping spurs, potable water, hitching rails, picnic tables, fire rings and accessible toilets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marquis de Morès</span> French duelist, frontier ranchman, railroad pioneer and politician

Marquis de Morès et de Montemaggiore was a French duelist, frontier ranchman in the Badlands of Dakota Territory during the final years of the American Old West era, a railroad pioneer in Vietnam, and a politician in his native France.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nokota horse</span> American breed of horse

The Nokota horse is a feral and semi-feral horse breed located in the badlands of southwestern North Dakota in the United States. The breed developed in the 19th century from foundation bloodstock consisting of ranch-bred horses produced from the horses of local Native Americans mixed with Spanish horses, Thoroughbreds, harness horses and related breeds. The Nokota was almost wiped out during the early 20th century when ranchers, in cooperation with state and federal agencies, worked together to reduce competition for livestock grazing. However, when Theodore Roosevelt National Park was created in the 1940s, a few bands were inadvertently trapped inside, and thus were preserved.

Harold Schafer was a North Dakota businessman, entrepreneur and philanthropist who founded the Gold Seal Company, the original maker of Mr. Bubble. He also was a major benefactor in the tourist town of Medora, North Dakota and the Medora Musical.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chateau de Mores</span> Historic house in North Dakota, United States

The Chateau de Mores in Medora, North Dakota, United States, is a historic home built by the Marquis de Mores in 1883 as a hunting lodge and summer home for his family and guests. The home is now part of the 128-acre (0.52 km2) Chateau de Mores State Historic Site, which also includes Chimney Park and de Mores Memorial Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Theodore Roosevelt's Maltese Cross Cabin</span> Cabin used by Theodore Roosevelt

The Maltese Cross Cabin is a cabin used by Theodore Roosevelt, before he was President. The cabin is currently located at the visitor center at Theodore Roosevelt National Park, just outside the town of Medora, North Dakota.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elkhorn Ranch</span> United States historic center

The Elkhorn Ranch was established by Theodore Roosevelt on the banks of the Little Missouri River 35 miles north of Medora, North Dakota in the summer of 1884. Roosevelt hired Bill Sewall and Wilmot Dow, two Maine woodsmen, to run the ranch. Sewall and Dow built the ranch house, "a long, low house of logs," in the winter of 1884–1885.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of the Badlands</span> Battle of the American Civil War

The Battle of the Badlands was fought in Dakota Territory, in what is now western North Dakota, between the United States army led by General Alfred Sully and the Lakota, Yanktonai, and the Dakota Indian tribes. The battle was fought August 7–9, 1864 between what are now Medora and Sentinel Butte, North Dakota. It was an extension of the conflict begun in the Dakota War of 1862. Sully successfully marched through the badlands encountering only moderate resistance from the Sioux.

<i>The Badlands Saloon</i> 2009 novel by Jonathan Twingley

The Badlands Saloon is a novel by Jonathan Twingley, an American artist and illustrator. Published by Scribner in 2009, the 224-page hardcover tells the story of Oliver Clay, and his life-changing summer in a small North Dakota town.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peaceful Valley Ranch</span> United States historic place

Peaceful Valley Ranch is about 3 miles (4.8 km) from the town of Medora, North Dakota in the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, in western North Dakota. The ranch dates from 1885, when Benjamin Lamb bought the land and built its first buildings. After operating as a ranch, primarily raising horses, the ranch was developed by the Olsen family as a dude ranch before it was acquired by the National Park Service, and incorporated into the Roosevelt Recreation Demonstration Area, which eventually became the present national park. The ranch forms the core of the national park's South Unit. It overlooks the Little Missouri River, in the Little Missouri badlands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library</span>

The Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library is a repository of information on Theodore Roosevelt. It is online.

Delanie Jane Wiedrich is an American beauty pageant titleholder from Hazen, North Dakota, who was crowned Miss North Dakota 2015. She competed for the Miss America 2016 title in September 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Theodore Roosevelt Monument</span> United States historic place

Mount Theodore Roosevelt Monument, also known as the Roosevelt Friendship Monument or Friendship Tower, located in the Black Hills National Forest on the outskirts of Deadwood, Lawrence County, South Dakota, is a 31-foot stone tower, including the six-foot-high platform, honoring Theodore Roosevelt. It was the first tribute to the president's memory and was dedicated July 4, 1919.

For the state pageant affiliated with Miss Teen USA, see Miss North Dakota Teen USA

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library</span> Presidential library and museum

The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library is a planned museum focused on the life and legacy of Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th president of the United States. It is to be constructed at a site to the west of Medora, North Dakota, near Theodore Roosevelt National Park, which preserves sites associated with Roosevelt's travel in North Dakota between 1883 and 1887. A site in the Badlands of Medora was selected in 2020, as well as the design architect Snøhetta and the architect of record JLG Architects.

The Badlands Amphitheatre is a non-profit arts, culture, and tourism event venue in Drumheller, Alberta, Canada. The Badlands Amphitheatre takes its name from the original 2,500-seat open-air amphitheatre onsite that is situated in the heart of the Canadian Badlands. This natural amphitheatre is widely recognized as Canada's largest outdoor stage.

References

  1. ↑ "Medora Musical". North Dakota Tourism. North Dakota: North Dakota Tourism Division. 2022. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  2. 1 2 Collins-hughes, Laura (2017-08-23). "A Star-Spangled Revue Kicks Up Its Heels in the Badlands". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2017-09-09.
  3. ↑ Baumgarten, April (May 31, 2015). "N.D. singers ready to set foot on Burning Hills Amphitheatre for 50th celebration of Medora Musical". Grand Forks Herald. Grand Forks, North Dakota. Retrieved Oct 30, 2015.
  4. ↑ "Medora History". Medora. Medora, North Dakota: City of Medora. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  5. 1 2 "Medora's Burning Hills Amphitheatre marks 50 years". Bismarck Tribune. Retrieved 2017-09-09.
  6. ↑ EPLER, ANDREW L. "Bully For Medora!". www.fmcmagazine.com. Retrieved 2017-09-09.
  7. ↑ Scope, Thomas A. Kvamme, The. "Wollan is mastermind behind Medora Musical". Williston Herald. Retrieved 2017-09-09.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  8. ↑ "Medora Musical faces transformative partnership as new company takes the reins". Dickinson Press. 2023-09-27. Retrieved 2023-10-04.
  9. ↑ Conrad, Kent (2000). "Medora Musical".
  10. 1 2 Herald, Thomas Kvamme For the Willison. "Medora Musical turns 50 years old on July 1". Williston Herald. Retrieved 2017-09-09.
  11. ↑ Herald, Harry LipsieaSidney. "Singing in the Wild West". Sidney Herald. Retrieved 2017-09-09.
  12. ↑ Berlinger, Sara (2022-04-09). "Medora Musical's new elevator expected to be complete by June". www.kfyrtv.com. Retrieved 2023-10-10.

46°54′52″N103°32′44″W / 46.91444°N 103.54556°W / 46.91444; -103.54556

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.