Smoky Mountain Opry Theater Explained

Smoky Mountain Opry Theater
Address:2046 Parkway
City:Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Country:United States
Coordinates:35.8246°N -83.5786°W
Owner:World Choice Investments, LLC
Capacity:1,400[1]
Type:Theater
Opened:1997
Closed:May 2020
Othernames:Louise Mandrell Theater
The Miracle Theater
Logo Image:Smoky Mountain Opry Theater logo.png

The Smoky Mountain Opry Theater (formerly known as The Miracle Theater and Louise Mandrell Theater) was a theater established in 1997 in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, United States.

History

In Fall 1997, the theater was opened as stage for country singer Louise Mandrell.[2] In 2005, the theater was purchased by The Fee Hedrick Family Entertainment Group, while Mandrell performed her last show on New Year's Eve that same year.[3] After a $15 million installation,[4] the theater was reopened as "The Miracle Theater" on April 13, 2006. Its main play, "The Miracle" was performed from its opening in 2006[5] to its closing on October 22, 2011.[6] The musical was about the life of Jesus Christ.[4] The musical consisted of live animals, sword-fights, and wire-harnessing angels[7] and was composed by David Legg and written by Linda Nell Cooper.[5] Other shows that were performed at the Miracle Theater included the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.[8] In September 2007, the Miracle Theater received national attention when it spent about $90,000 on a USA Today advertisement, which indirectly criticized Kathy Griffin's Primetime Emmy Award acceptance speech.[9] On November 7, 2011, the theater re-opened as "Smoky Mountain Opry Theater" with a "Christmas at the Opry" show.[10] A variety show was also added in the beginning of the 2012 season.[11] At the end of 2018, World Choice Investments, the owner of Dolly Parton's Stampede, purchased Fee Hedrick Entertainment (and therefore the Smoky Mountain Opry) for an undisclosed amount.[12]

In May 2020, spokesperson Pete Owens announced that the theater would be closed during the entire season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[13] The theater would never reopen.

In August 2023, it was announced that The Crayola Experience and The Nerf Action Xperience would be replacing the venue, both attractions are expected to open by Fall 2024.[14] [15]

Notes and References

  1. News: All New "Feel the Music" Show Opens at Smoky Mountain Opry in Pigeon Forge . April 21, 2022 . Sevier News Messenger . March 16, 2017.
  2. News: Battle. Bob. Louise Mandrell to add theater to Pigeon Forge. Nashville Banner. December 17, 1996. In the latest in a series of major entertainment features in the Smokies, singer Louise Mandrell plans to open her proposed 1,400-seat theater in the Music Road Entertainment Park at Pigeon Forge, Tenn., in the fall of 1997..
  3. News: Louise Mandrell witnesses "A Miracle". April 6, 2018. Seymour Herald Newspaper. July 3, 2006.
  4. News: Price. Jennifer. Refining the religious message. April 5, 2018. Knoxville News Sentinel. February 10, 2008. en.
  5. News: Based on the life of Jesus, 'Miracle' to debut Thursday. Knoxville News Sentinel. April 8, 2006.
  6. News: Hodges. Dereck. 'Miracle' nears final performance. The Mountain Press. October 21, 2011. “The Miracle” has three more showings left, scheduled for 8 p.m. today and Saturday, and 3 p.m. Saturday. Fee says the possibilities for new life for “Miracle” include Christmas season matinée shows at Smoky Mountain Opry, the name of both the theater and the new show it will host starting Nov. 4, and even the chance for a traveling production..
  7. News: Considine. Austin. Gatlinburg, Tenn.: Return to Kitsch Mountain. April 6, 2018. The New York Times. January 15, 2009.
  8. News: New Narrator for "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" - PigeonForge.com. April 6, 2018. PigeonForge.com. April 7, 2010.
  9. News: Eckstrom. Kevin. Make Fun Of Faith? Sure. Jesus? Uh, No.. The Washington Post. April 6, 2018. September 22, 2007.
  10. News: Pigeon Forge theater to end "Miracle" . April 24, 2022 . Knoxville News Sentinel . February 27, 2011 . 45.
  11. News: Smoky Mountain Opry to Open Largest Musical Variety Show in Pigeon Forge. April 5, 2018. Fee Hedrick Family Entertainment. March 12, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20180612143844/https://www.feehedrick.com/smoky-mountain-opry-to-open-largest-musical-variety-show-in-pigeon-forge/. June 12, 2018.
  12. News: World Choice Investments Buys Fee Hedrick Entertainment . January 18, 2021 . QSR Magazine . February 4, 2019 . en.
  13. News: Smoky Mountain Opry will not reopen for 2020 season . April 21, 2022 . WATE 6 . May 29, 2020.
  14. Web site: Taylor . Blake . 2023-08-17 . 'Next-generation' Crayola Experience at Pigeon Forge opens in 2024 . 2024-02-10 . Attractions Magazine . en-US.
  15. Web site: 2023-08-30 . New NERF attraction coming to Pigeon Forge . 2024-02-10 . WATE 6 On Your Side . en-US.

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