The Official Newspaper for Foster County
The Official Newspaper for Foster County
On July 28, we attended the Medora Musical with our grandchildren. It’s always fun to get away from the monotony of our every-day routines to enjoy some taffy, ice cream and the musical.
Since that Sunday night, a number of people have commented about the musical after we told them that we had attended. The first thing that should be mentioned is it’s amazing that there are people here in North Dakota who aren’t aware of the musical.
In their defense, their often transplants who have come here to work or are stationed at the Minot Air Force Base. In those cases, we give them the pitch about how good this entertainment is for them.
Some of the other comments we’ve heard include “I didn’t know there was such a show in North Dakota,” “I haven’t been there in five years,” “If you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all,” “It’s too expensive for me,” and “Why not have it in Bismarck or Fargo where the people are.”
My wife and I have been going to the Medora Musical for several years off and on as long as we’ve been married. There are years we can’t get there, but it continues to draw us back when we get the chance to go.
OK, the show is expensive, but it’s highly professional and right up there with other performers who have been in North Dakota recently like Elton John or BTO. These singers and dancers are the best you’re going to find anywhere and it shows on stage.
For that person who told us if you’ve seen it once, that’s not the case. We go frequently and it’s different every year. There’s a different theme, there’s different music and there are different dancers. About the only thing that doesn’t change is the person who portrays Theodore Roosevelt.
In fact, as we were leaving Medora, there was “Roosevelt,” in top hat and jacket with long tail, directing traffic. It was good to see that not only is he a performer on stage, but he hangs out with the people who go to the musical and that’s certainly admirable.
The reason the show isn’t moved to Bismarck or Fargo is because Medora is historically significant to North Dakota and if it were anywhere else, the show would fall apart. It’s best for the population to travel west on Interstate 94 and attend the show in Medora because it brings a lot of realism to the actual history when Roosevelt was in Medora.
And, let’s face it, the musical is just part of the package. Sure, there are the tourist traps like the taffy store or some of the clothing stores, but if it’s history you want, you’ll find it. You could go to a museum in Fargo or Bismarck, but if you’re in Medora, you can actually live it.
There’s Roosevelt National Park, The Chateau de Mores, there’s carriage rides through historic Medora, among others.
The town of Medora is a small community in Billings County and yes, people live there. It’s not all just tourists. In the winter, it’s a quiet, little town in western North Dakota. But in the summer it comes alive and is no doubt the best tourist destination in the state.
In the two days we spent in Medora, some of the license plates we saw on vehicles included, Tennessee, Illinois, Washington, Rhode Island, Alaska, Florida, Connecticut, Manitoba, British Columbia, many from Minnesota, California, Vermont, New Hampshire, Michigan and Arizona.
That should be a pretty good indicator of the popularity of the Medora Musical if people are coming from as far away as New Hampshire and B.C.
If you haven’t seen it, you still have the month of August and into early September to take in the great-est show in the west. It should also be noted that every Sunday and Wednesday, kids 17 and under get in free.
That said, the dancers do a skit that brings all the children on stage. It’s a big deal for any kid to be on such a grand stage with the likes of President “Theodore Roosevelt.”
Take it in before the season is over. You won’t regret it. The dancers personify professionalism; The singing, the choreography and the interaction with the audience.
They know exactly what they are doing.
(Marvin Baker is a news writer for the Kenmare News and formerly Foster County Independent.)
