Blog for Zipline Attraction in the Smoky Mountains
Located in Pigeon Forge, TN and near Gatlinburg and Sevierville.
Theater Shows For The Non-Country-Music Fan - Part 2
By Ross Bodhi Ogle
Posted on July 11, 2017
Last week, we introduced you to many of the theater shows in the Smokies that don't necessarily cater to country-music audiences. After all, there's probably a perception out there that Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Sevierville offer only country music fare on their theater stages. That's true to an extent, but as we showed last week, folks who don't care for that country twang can still find lots of entertainment options in this area.
In fact, we came up with so many examples that we had to stretch the listings into two posts. The Great Smoky Mountain Murder Mystery Dinner Show; The Wonders of Magic; Impossibilities: An Evening Magic, Mind Reading and Mayhem!; Magic Beyond Belief; and the Smoky Mountain Opry got us started in terms of alternatives to country music. This week, get ready for even more possibilities…
Now in its 41st season in downtown Gatlinburg, this little gem holds the distinction of being the longest running show of any kind in the Smokies. The intimate 100-seat theater is home to original musical comedies that are laced with outrageous humor and flat-out silliness. Styled in a unique format that hearkens back to the old music hall days of the 1890s, the Sweet Fanny Adams show also features an audience sing-along and plenty of opportunities for guests to get involved in the mayhem. The theater was founded by Pat and Don MacPherson in 1977, and today, their children Chris and Jennifer are helping carry on the family tradition.
Here's another area theater with some longevity. This Pigeon Forge venue, located in the heart of Music Row, has been making audiences happy since 1990, primarily with its tribute to the music of Elvis Presley. In addition, the show offers a host of other celebrity impersonators performing their musical salutes to legendary artists like Michael Jackson, Rod Stewart, Willie Nelson and more. The theater is home to several other shows throughout the week as well, including a tribute to Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, the Vintage Soul: Soul and Motown revue, and Magic Spectacular, another magic show, featuring Steven & Cassandra Best.
This long-running dinner show has Dolly Parton's name on it, so you know it's going to be done well. In fact, for more than 20 years, Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede Dinner Attraction in Pigeon Forge has been packing audiences in with its unique showcase of equine-themed entertainment. Thirty-two magnificent horses are the stars of this presentation, which pits the North against the South in a friendly series of horseback competitions. The show also features music, comedy, audience participation and an unforgettable multicourse meal – served without silverware.
• Biblical Times Dinner Theater
Dinner shows are popular in the Smokies, and Biblical Times is no exception. Located on the Parkway in Pigeon Forge, this show utilizes a live cast and state-of-the-art holographic and 3D technology to present three different shows based on stories from the Bible. This season's productions include Elijah, Joseph the Story of Jesus and Heaven's Heroes, As Told By Apostle Paul. This theater actually offers several different menus, depending on the show, with items like wood-smoked pulled pork, prime rib, wood-smoked steak tips and a heavenly host of delicious sides, beverages and desserts.
If you're in search of even more dinner-show fun in Pigeon Forge, look no further than the Grand Majestic Dinner Theater on the Parkway. This season's shows are Soul of Motown and Hit Parade: Jukebox Hits From The '50s and '60s. Before every performance, audiences are served a dinner consisting of meatloaf, roasted chicken breast, seasoned vegetables and more.
We're throwing this one in as a bonus, because you can get access to a wide variety of shows for one admission price. Yes, a good bit of the music on the Dollywood stages is country/bluegrass/Gospel, but you'll also find Dreamland Drive-In, a nostalgic musical trip down Memory Lane, at the Pines Theater.
Of course, music shows are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to filling your vacation calendar. If you're looking for things to do, Pigeon Forge has Smoky Mountain Ziplines to offer as well. We're located just two miles off the Parkway, making us a convenient tie-in to any music theater show you plan to attend on your next visit.
