Shepherd of the Hills Play Closing

Ozark Outlaw · October 18, 2013, 11:15:16 AM

I found on Facebook that the closing of the Shepherd of the Hills has made national news at the Wall Street Journal. It's quite an interesting read!
http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304384104579141710952645676

sanddunerider · October 18, 2013, 12:14:33 PM

very nice article.. it will for sure be a loss..

there is some off the wall speculation going on about the show being picked up by others... but nothing concrete yet, but I am hoping....

Junior · October 18, 2013, 04:31:07 PM

Good article. Loved the photos and illustrations. Hoss Braden and Terry Sanders, of course, are a couple of the guys I knew and worked with in the old days. I wish everyone connected to Shepherd of the Hills Homestead and Play all the best. I pray the last performance Saturday night will be a good one, with lots of happy memories made.

Preachin_Bill · October 19, 2013, 09:32:32 AM

It honestly gives me chills that this is the last play. I can't imagine what it would feel like to be acting in the final production tonight. It must be sad, but also in a way it must be an honor. You are out there representing all those who have played your part before you. Almost eery, in a sense. Let's hope they have a great one. Sad I can't be there, but I would probably feel very down afterward if I was there.

Please God, help Branson save the things that made it great!

Gilligan · October 19, 2013, 12:02:37 PM

Quote from: Preachin_Bill on October 19, 2013, 09:32:32 AM
It honestly gives me chills that this is the last play. I can't imagine what it would feel like to be acting in the final production tonight. It must be sad, but also in a way it must be an honor. You are out there representing all those who have played your part before you. Almost eery, in a sense. Let's hope they have a great one. Sad I can't be there, but I would probably feel very down afterward if I was there.

Please God, help Branson save the things that made it great!

Very well stated, Preachin Bill. I feel the same way! The book is the reason I wanted to get married there, and my first born was named after Young Matt.

qwed94 · October 20, 2013, 01:57:59 AM

Truthfully, (for history reasons) I would have really liked to be there tonite. It would have certainly been "A Night To Remember". However (here is the truthfully part). Im not sure I could have handled it emotionally. I imagine I would have been too busy thinking about it being "the final show" that I wouldnt have enjoyed it as much as I have in the past. (Fortunately I have seen it a dozen times or so).

I also imagine that the cast was feeling the same feelings. I bet the show was long and tearful. Likely alot of long spells between dialogue, and probably several messed up lines. All to be expected on the final show.

Yea Im not sure I could have handled it, (If my suspicions were actually right).

Ozark Outlaw · October 20, 2013, 10:31:29 AM

I agree, qwed94! Definitely a night to remember! Now that the curtain has fallen, did anyone get a chance to see the last show? I am very curious about how it went.

eagle1 · October 20, 2013, 04:47:53 PM

I took my Mom and a good friend to the last show. It was actually different from when I just went last Saturday, there were more of the original lines and many more actors. I was a little disappointed last Saturday, I had not seen it since 2002 and there were a lot of changes. This last show, the last show was very good and yes very emotional. The actors seem to have more heart in the lines and emotion like it used to be. They did a wonderful job, no flubbed lines just more "real". After the show, we met all the actors and talked about the memories, it was awesome! I learned how many years each had been there and the different parts they played throughout the years. As they got older, they then played the older characters, etc. - it was surreal so to speak. You met the "Young" Matt, who became the "Old" Matt, same with Sammy Lane, and so on. They did say there has been some interest in keeping it going, like us they have their fingers crossed. I am so glad I went and to be a part of "the last" show. I was on the edge of my seat the whole show as I was aware of the true story and seeing how it used to be. If they kept with the original and what they did on the last show, I could see more people going. If they kept to what they did last Saturday, well not impressed. That's just my thoughts anyway!

Anyone else go?

Gilligan · October 20, 2013, 05:29:24 PM

Quote from: eagle1 on October 20, 2013, 04:47:53 PM
I was on the edge of my seat the whole show as I was aware of the true story and seeing how it used to be. If they kept with the original and what they did on the last show, I could see more people going. If they kept to what they did last Saturday, well not impressed. That's just my thoughts anyway! Anyone else go?

I wholeheartedly agree! I wasn't happy with the new changes, either. The original was so, so much better!

DeweyBald · October 20, 2013, 10:58:35 PM

I was there eagle and I felt the same way. I've been going to SOTH all my life so it hit home and became emotional when the Baldknobbers gave their 21 gun salute. By the way...who's T-Bird is that? It's been fun watching the progress over the past year!

eagle1 · October 21, 2013, 05:57:21 PM

That T-Bird belongs to my lovely hubby! It's been his project car just like the others, he really enjoys buying something and turning into something fun. The T-Bird is to be an exact replica of Buddy Baker's car!

Glad to know you were there too Dewey and enjoyed it, I sure do hope they are able to come back. That last performance made it so that I once realize again how much I'm going to miss it!

sanddunerider · October 21, 2013, 06:18:44 PM

http://bransontrilakesnews.com/news_free/article_980ba034-3824-11e3-aad2-001a4bcf887a.html

thelarsonsix · October 21, 2013, 07:23:46 PM

I don't know if it's just wishful thinking or they know something we don't but the cast seems to think it will be revived. Especailly Terry Sanders' comments.

Fallcreek · March 03, 2014, 11:00:24 AM

Hello, sorry to revive an old thread with my first post, but we are looking at a Branson trip this summer and I came across this thread while trying to find out what happened to the Shepherd of the Hills play.

It looked like the last posts in this thread suggested the play could possibly be revived and I wondered if anyone had heard any new information on that.

I guess I have an odd family. I have two teenagers, a girl and a boy, and they both love the play. In fact, aside from SDC, it's the highlight of a Branson vacation for them. There's something wonderful about spending a beautiful Ozark summer evening out under the stars at the Shepherd amphitheater.

okiebluegrass · March 03, 2014, 11:05:31 AM

At this point it doesn't look like reviving the play is much of a possibility, at least at the Homestead. The website http://www.oldmatt.com doesn't look like it has been updated since last fall.

Gary Snadon passed away on Halloween and ever since I just haven't heard much. Anybody else got any updates?