The Smoky Mountain Palace Theatre in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee has undergone more than just a name change. The former Governor’s Palace Theatre also debuted a new show in early April, Smoky Mountain Opry, featuring the sounds of country, bluegrass and gospel music, combined with family comedy.
Jimmy Bryant, a longtime Pigeon Forge performer who also had a one year stint in Las Vegas, wrote, produced and directed the show. “We’re trying to bring back the tradition and heritage in this area, and we came up with Smoky Mountain Opry as the name of the show. This area needs a show that’s a little bit different, that goes back to when people visit here from different states and other countries. They want to see what we have to do. That’s why we’re tying in this old mountain, gospel, pure country and old bluegrass feel to the show.”
Each performer has a real-life character name, making it different from other productions, Bryant said. “The characters are named after people I’ve known in my life that are real country folk,” said Bryant. “Everyone has a name from the past and I told them what they’ve meant to me in my life. It’s a powerful message that in taking the heritage that’s passed on to you, you take it and run with it.”
Normally shows of this magnitude can take six months to a year to plan, according to Bryant. Although the show was already cast, he had less than a month to get it written and ready.
“We had completely mounted this show – writing, staged, choreographed, costumed and video lighting everything in less than three weeks, which is unheard of in this business,” Bryant said.
Todd Averett, who plays the role of a local artist, will be a special guest periodically. “I was ready to jump on it,” Averett said. “I know Jimmy Bryant from years ago, and we’ve worked together off and on for 16 years. When he came up with the concept, I thought it was a great idea and a heart-touching story.”
Malcolm Link plays the role of Buster Humphrey. “Buster is a native of the Smokies and his father started the Smoky Mountain Opry, which is an elaboration of when folks get together and sing on the porch,” Link said. “This is a more structured version of that. It’s a combination of the Grand Ole Opry and Garrison Keillor melted together.”
Annie Millett plays Buster’s wife. “She’s his support beam and a good Baptist woman with a good heart and makes sure everyone’s on the straight and narrow and having fun,” Millett said. “This is new for me. I like to approach roles as humanly possible. I love nature and have a deep root to the Ohio hills and I translated it to heart.”
Tom Hacker, plays Oziah Walland. “I’m just an old mountain man who loves music, and you find a lot of folks like that around here. I sing on just about everything and it proves you don’t have to be pretty to sing,” Hacker said with a laugh.
Bryant said the audience can expect a good show. “It’s been a lot of work, and I can’t believe we’re open,” Bryant said. “A higher power has a hand in this, because of the message it represents.”
Information provided by The Mountain Press