Usually, when I blog about a business or entertainment, it is in the hope that readers' interest will be piqued leading them to go try it for themselves. I'm afraid it is too little too late for The Shepherd Of The Hills, but how can I not write about such a wonderful part of the Ozarks culture?
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It began with a book written in 1907 by Harold Bell Wright, a story based on the mountain people he had come to know when vacationing in the Ozark hills (specifically, Branson,MO). He titled it, The Shepherd Of The Hills. The story itself is wonderful... romance, drama, comedy, and the excitement of the Baldknobbers! You should definitely give it a read. Reading not your thing? That's okay, you can watch the movie adaptation starring John Wayne as Young Matt. Although, according to Wiki the movie departs markedly from the book, which leads me back to the theatrical performance of The Shepherd Of The Hills in Branson, Missouri. Seeing Harold Bell Wright's story performed live on the stage is the only way to do it! Unfortunately, tonight is the last show and then the production will be closing permanently (unless a very wealthy angel takes it over). *crossing fingers*
The Shepherd Of The Hills has been performed outdoors on a stage nestled in the trees, high on a hill in Branson, Missouri since 1959. That's four generations, literally MILLIONS of people, who have enjoyed the theatrical performance over the years. For so many folks in the Ozarks, it is a family tradition. Children who saw the show in the 1960's returned decades later to share it with their grandkids.
Many of the cast and crew grew up on the stage, performing together for years. I've heard tell that some even met, fell in love, and married after having grown close performing together night after night.
These are fine actors...as good as any broadway cast!
I couldn't write about this show without mentioning the animals. We saw about 40 horses, a dozen mules, and a small flock of sheep throughout the show. Being outdoors and having the animals on the stage really lends to the enchantment. You witness the story being told and performed in the exact hills the author wrote of, acted by locals who have a true understanding of this land and its people. You breathe in the dust, manure, gun powder and if God sees fit, the rain. All of your senses are engaged during the show.
I had heard the show was closing several weeks ago and made a mental note to get tickets. Somewhere along the line I lost track of time and it wasn't until Mark opened the Wall Street Journal yesterday and saw a write up about the show closing that I remembered. Shoot! How would we ever get tickets on the penultimate night? Mark called anyway, and a miracle had happened. Two seats had just opened up due to cancellation and he just happened to be the next call on the line! The woman who took the call assured him that had he tried even five minutes later it would have been for naught, the final two nights were sold out. We felt really lucky that we would be able to see this story of the Ozarks at least once.
It rained. During the entire show, if it wasn't raining it was spitting on us, and it was great. Not a person left because of the weather. As a matter of fact, the rain may have actually added to the show in some strange indescribable way. It mattered not; it could have been snowing, and we had a great time. I felt regret that I was only seeing it for the first time, and now, the curtains were closing. I had no idea that such a gem even existed in Branson. It occurred to me that this was the case for a lot of other folks and probably the reason the show won't keep running.
The thing I love the most about The Shepherd Of The Hills in Branson is that, in telling the story of the Ozarks, night after night, for fifty some-odd years, the play itself became a part of our culture and history; something that I am very sad to see go. Something that I am extremely happy I got to experience even just once.
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| The Shepherd Of The Hills Branson, Missouri 2013 |
~ Love & Light ~
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