FUN FACTS
The Miracle Theater
Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
ABOUT THEATER
The theater was built in 1997 for Louise Mandrell. In November 2005, David Fee and Jim Hedrick, co-owners of the Fee/Hedrick Family Entertainment Group bought the theater and made a $15 million investment in renovating the theater and creating the “The Miracle” musical production. The Miracle Theater held its first show in April 2006. The theater seats 1,400 people, and employees more than 100 people.
ABOUT PRODUCTION
Professional Cast and Technical Crew– Every production of “The Miracle” takes the creative effort of a large cast of singers, dancers, actors, technical experts, and support staff. National auditions are held to cast the show from all corners of the United States. All performers sing live every performance. There is recorded background music used in the show, but no lip-synching.
Script/Music – An original work produced by Fee/Hedrick Family Entertainment Group and the award-winning team of Writer Linda Nell Cooper and Composer David M. Legg, both professors at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., “The Miracle” is grounded in accurate Biblical detail while boldly presenting theatrical pizzazz! This musical shows in dramatic fashion the greatest story ever told by presenting the story of Jesus Christ from The Creation to The Ascension through the viewpoint of Lucifer. The two-act production includes more than two dozen original songs.
Theatrics – State-of-the-art surround sound, 3-D video projection, incredible set designs, authentic costumes, and wonderful choreography set the stage for one of the largest live theater productions in the country. Below are a few interested facts about the various theatrics of the show:
• Five fly rigs located around theater enable the angels to fly during the show. It takes two people to operate each fly rig.
• The stage floor is sprayed down with Sprite soda before each performance to make it tacky for the footing of the dancers and animals.
• The angels wings were made by the same company that makes the wings for Victoria Secret. The angel wings are 13-feet wide.
• There are 58 fly lines used to change out the background scenery in show. There are a total of 20 scenery changes.
• The boat used in “Jesus Walking on Water” scene is powered by hover-round wheelchair technology.
• There are 500 regular theater lights, plus another 100 computer-controlled, intelligent lights in the theater.
• There are 12 video projectors used to create video and special effect images on background curtains.
• Stage props move around on specially-design air-pump technology.
• There are more than 300 costumes in the show, and 60 wigs.
• State-of-the-art surround sound systems pumps 64,000 watts of sound into the house of theater. Forty microphones are used during the show.
Live Animals – The production features dozens of live animals, including camels, donkey, sheep/lambs, and boa constrictor snakes. All animals are cared for by a full-time staff of animal husbandry experts and animal caretakers. When the Fee/Hedrick Family Entertainment Group bought the theater to bring “The Miracle” production to Pigeon Forge, a multi-million dollar outdoor and indoor stable complex was created to care for the show’s animals. Some interesting facts about the animals and stable area:
• Except for the snakes, the animals favorite treats are Animal Crackers.
• The camels eat 30 pounds of hay each day.
• The camels are between 1,200-1,800 pounds.
• One donkey’s name is “Radar” because of his big, pointy ears.
• One lamb was born on the theater’s opening day, and was named “Miracle.”
• Another lamb, “Zachariah” was born at The Miracle Theater in spring 2007.
• The animals have as many costume changes in the show as the performers.
• Animals move through specially-created wide corridors and 15-foot high doorways in the backstage areas.
ABOUT BACKSTAGE TOURS
The Miracle Theater is the only entertainment venue in Pigeon Forge that invites you to go behind-the-scenes to see what it takes to put on a Broadway-caliber show. Cast members lead backstage tours while the theater is in pre-show mode before each show. For only $5, you can upgrade a ticket to include an exclusive “Backstage Pass.” This pass allows you access to all the action beyond the stage and see for yourself what truly makes “The Miracle” miraculous. Not only does it allow you access to all lights, scenery and dressing rooms of the show, but you’ll be able to tour the stables where the animals are kept. It’s a great plan for the family and something to help make your Pigeon Forge vacation that much more memorable.
ABOUT CAMEL RIDES
Guests have an opportunity to ride a camel at the Noah’s Ark Animal Rides complex, located right in front of The Miracle Theater. Camel rides are offered for one hour before each show. Reasonably-priced tickets include the camel ride and a 6×8 souvenir photograph.
ABOUT SHOW SCHEDULE AND TICKETS
For Tickets: Call 865-428-SHOW (7469) for tickets. Group discounts for 20 people or more are available by calling 1-888-568-4253. Church groups can make reservations for the show and pre-show Bible study and devotional materials by calling 1-866-492-6972.
Show Schedule: Open March-December with shows at 8:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 3:00 p.m. matinees on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
Web Site: For more information or to see video clips of the show, visit www.miracletheater.com.
ABOUT OWNERSHIP
The Fee/Hedrick Family Entertainment Group is an East Tennessee entertainment conglomerate dedicated to family, faith, and fun. Co-owners David Fee and Jim Hedrick have operated family-friendly, original, and inspiring theatrical shows in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. for the past 13 years. Entertainers turned executives themselves; they have built what is now the second largest privately owned entertainment company in the entire Southeastern U.S.