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After 50-plus years, Cherokee’s drama gets makeover
By Derek Hodges
Visitors to Cherokee’s Mountainside Theater this summer will see a completely different version of “Unto These Hills.”
The show has been completely revamped, with a new script, costumes, stage and even a new name – “Unto These Hills ... a Retelling.”
An actor performs the eagle dance, always a popular part of the outdoor drama “Unto These Hills.” This year, the drama has a new look and script, but the eagle dance remains.
“I have a great passion for this drama,” said James Bradley, director of the Cherokee Historical Association, which produces the show. “The new show brings renewed interest to our cultural attractions and encourages visitors to make Cherokee part of their vacation plans. The drama offers insight to our culture and a fun, memorable experience at the same time.”
The revisions were prompted by comments and suggestions from audience members, Bradley said. The new script also addresses historical inaccuracies and invites more participation from members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, he said.
When discussions about the possibility of the first complete rewrite in the play’s 57-season history began, drama officials knew selection of the writer and director was critical, Bradley said.
Hanay Geiogamah, a member of the Kiowa/Delaware tribes of Oklahoma, was the man chosen. Geiogamah has a long list of accomplishments with theater, particularly theater produced by Indian tribes. He founded the native American Theater Ensemble and the American Indian Dance Theater, and was the artistic director of Native Americans in Arts from 1980-82. He has produced several films and a documentary series on Native American history, and has written several other dramas.
While not a member of the Eastern Band, Geiogamah is the first Native American to direct “Unto These Hills,” Bradley said. That’s a step in the right direction, he said.
Some of the changes are based on the recently discovered 18th-century diary of British Lt. Henry Timberlake. The journal describes in detail the Cherokee culture when European influence was still slight. One revision based on Timberlake’s writings is a re-creation of the Cherokee war dance, a new part of the show, Bradley said.
Other changes were not made to correct the story, but to appeal to a different audience, Bradley said.
“We wanted to make the show more like a regular theater experience, instead of purely an outdoor theater one,” Bradley said. “We want to attract our typical audience that may enjoy outdoor theater but not the regular theater, and we also want to attract theater-goers that may not typically attend an outdoor show.”
In the interest of attracting that new audience, the rewrite removes some of the historical background and incorporates more traditional dances. From the war dance, to the eagle dance, to the dances of the modern Cherokee, the new drama focuses on how the tribe celebrates its history.
The drama still tells the story of the Cherokee’s first encounters with European settlers, the tribe’s siding with the Patriots during the American Revolution, and their forced removal on the Trail of Tears. However, it now begins and ends with the spirits of the seven clans discussing the past, present and future of the tribe. It is also narrated by Kanati, the great hunter, and Selu, the corn mother.
“‘Unto These Hills gives guests a unique understanding of what happened to our tribe and what makes our presence here in Western North Carolina so significant,” Bradley said. “It is a story of the determination of our ancestors to overcome the greatest of all obstacles – invasion of our homeland – and their return to create a thriving civilization.”
So far, reaction to the rewrite has been positive since the show opened June 8, Bradley said.
“It’s gotten a standing ovation each night so far,” he said. “We’ve had a lot of good input.”
Lumpy Lambert, a member of the Eastern Band who attended the show Saturday (June 10) said he was impressed with the changes.
“I think it’s a great effort, a great concept,” Lambert said. “It’s good that it’s changing. The show had gotten kind of stale, so there’s a lot of excitement about the new script. I’ve heard lots of good comments in the community.”
In addition to the new script, the show has undergone some other changes, Bradley said. The costumes are new, and staff members have been added to help cast members with hair and make-up. The stage at the 2,800-seat Mountainside Theater has been changed, with a new revolving element. Lighting and sound equipment has also been updated, allowing for surround sound and light used as a dramatic element, Bradley said.
Drama officials have also worked to include more tribe members in the show, with about 75 percent of the 65-member cast now made up of enrolled members, Bradley said.
“The local people really like the new show and appreciate that this is really us on stage,” said Bradley, who is also an enrolled member.
Since the drama debuted on July 1, 1950, it has been viewed by more than five million people. It is ranked in the top five outdoor dramas in the country and experienced a 23 percent increase in attendance last year alone.
Performances are held at 8:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and last almost two hours. The drama will run through Aug. 19.
Reserved seats are $20 for adults and $10 for youth. General admission is $16 for adults and $8 for children ages 6-13. Children under 6 are admitted free with a paying adult. Group rates are available, including a special rate for North Carolina school groups and other youth organizations.
For more information or to purchase tickets, call 497-2111 or visit www.cherokee-nc.com.
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