( Medora , N.D. ) — The search is on for former cast members of Old Four-Eyes, the original production that was performed in the Burning Hills Amphitheatre prior to the creation of the Medora Musical. "This summer we are celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Burning Hills Amphitheatre," notes Wade Westin, Marketing Director for the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation. "We are trying to locate cast members of Old Four-Eyes, so they can be part of the big celebration."
June 30, 2008 will mark the 50th Anniversary since shows first began at the scenic outdoor theater. "We're planning a special ceremony prior to the Medora Musical that includes a ribbon cutting of the new Medora Musical Welcome Center," reveals Westin. The Welcome Center interprets the history of the Burning Hills Amphitheatre and its two popular productions, Old Four-Eyes and the Medora Musical.
In 1958 the community of Medora wanted to celebrate Theodore Roosevelt's 100th birthday in a monumental way. A theatrical production, Old Four-Eyes, was written to tell of Theodore Roosevelt's life in the North Dakota Badlands. To create a worthwhile venue, community volunteers, cast members, and boys from Home on the Range carved an amphitheatre out of the badlands consisting of dirt and wooden benches. The original amphitheatre seated about 1,200 people. Utilizing both professional and local talent, Old Four-Eyes would run from 1958 through 1962 during portions of the summer. During the 1963 and 1964 seasons Old Four-Eyes was replaced by Teddy Roosevelt's Life in North Dakota.
Harold Schafer, a successful North Dakota businessman, purchased the amphitheatre in 1965 and started a new show with the help of Sheehan Productions associate, Fred Smith. Originally this production was called Teddy Roosevelt Rides Again - A Medora Musical, but soon was changed to simply the Medora Musical. Schafer formed the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation in 1986 to take over his company's operations in Medora, including presentation of the Medora Musical. The Burning Hills Amphitheatre received a $4.2 million renovation in 1992. The set and stage were again updated in 2005.
All former cast members of Old Four-Eyes are asked to contact Ann H. by calling 701-223-4800, or by emailing her at annh@medora.com. The Medora Musical opens Friday, May 30, 2008 at 8:30 p.m. MDT. Online reservations can be made at www.medora.com for Medora Musical tickets, the Pitchfork Steak Fondue, and lodging or by calling 1-800-MEDORA-1 (1-800-633-6721).
