Branson’s Shepherd of the Hills outdoor drama shuts for good after 54 seasons

[pstokely]

Source: Kansas City Star

BRANSON, Mo. — After 54 seasons in Branson, the Shepherd of the Hills Outdoor Theatre will end its outdoor drama with a final performance on Oct. 19.

In a statement released Wednesday, the owners of the business cited rising insurance and production costs, declining crowds, and costs associated with the new federal health care law.

Officials with Shepherd of the Hills did not return calls seeking comment on the closure and the impact of the Affordable Care Act on their business.

Read more: http://www.kansascity.com/2013/10/03/4526264/bransons-shepherd-ofthehills.html

[mac56]

1. Key words:"DECLINING CROWDS."

[pstokely]

2. Dying crowds probably

The new generation of retirees wasn't coming

[Enrique]

3. starting now

every business that closes down will be because of the ACA. Before the ACA, no business ever failed.

[mac56]

4. ^ THIS ^

[MatthewStLouis]

8. Actually...

...we like some of the Affordable Care Act, it is because of OBAMAcare that businesses are failing now!


(Isn't it funny how it's the "ownership society" pushers that have to blame all their problems on everyone else. They can't seem to "own" anything!)

[ctsnowman]

12. X 1000

[mehrrh]

5. closing theater

No doubt the real reason for closing is declining attendance. Attendees to Branson are an aging group. Rising insurance, of course -- it goes without saying that insurance companies capriciously raise premiums every year -- but blaming the ACA is lame. It isn't even in effect yet, but that doesn't stop the rural conservatives from blaming it. It's associated with the President so that's a given.

[8 track mind]

6. as a kid who grew up in the ozarks

Don't let the door hit you in the ass. They drove me insane with their dumb radio commercials .

[MatthewStLouis]

20. And TV commercials...

I can still hear their goofy hillbilly jingle, "Experience the Legend of the Shepherd of the Hills". I grew up in SW MO and never once went there. We never went to any of those shows. We did happen into Silver Dollar City sometimes, mainly for the rides and funnel cakes, and that was ok.

[8 track mind]

27. No way!

What town did you grow up in? I grew up in Strafford, just east of Springfield!

[MatthewStLouis]

29. Fordland a little east of Rogersville.

[LiberalArkie]

7. Kind of like the fact that all US businesses went under after having to pay their part of SS and

Medicare when they were first introduced.

[Crowman1979]

9. I wouldn't shed a tear if that hokey schmaltzy bastion of "so-called" clean...

entertainment becomes a ghost-town.

[hog]

10. Power of prayer

I guess the owners didn't think to pray for customers. Now they can sit on their asses and pray for good health so they don't have doctor bills. Pray in one hand and shit in the other...See which one fills up first.

[Blue Owl]

11. Shepherd of Mount Bullshit

n/t

[8 track mind]

13. Duzy! n/t

[Hestia]

15. No it's not. I like the story but haven't been there in 30 years.

[JanMichael]

14. oh bullshit. My wife used to run ambulance calls to Branson

The population that visited that hellhole were slightly past middle aged in 1990--- Simply put, their customers have aged out of traveling, or have died of old age. There have been other problems too-- most notably a recent tornado that took out a good part of the buildings, (hotels, etc) and many did not want to rebuild. The Roy Rogers or Gene Autrey museum (can't remember which one it was), shut down due to declining attendance a few years ago-

This has nothing to do with Obamacare, and everything to do with the fact that the entire town never managed to make itself attractive to a younger generation.

[pstokely]

22. Why did Branson build a new airport then?

A new generation of has-bens will replace the old generation. They seem to be catering who baby boomers now and even opening fancy hotels and malls.

[JanMichael]

24. In 2008?

who knows? Proximity to Branson, and right over the border to places like Eureka Springs is my guess. Your guess is as good as mine.

But, that was years ago- we are talking about today.

[kelliekat44]

16. I bet they don't even give health care insurance to their employees.

Just another opportunity for a GOPer to do what they intended on doing and blame it on the ACA. nt

[KamaAina]

17. Hopefully the Great Passion Play in Eureka Springs, Ark. will be next.

The neighboring Christ of the Ozarks statue had to be truncated due to FAA height restrictions, making it look like, in the words of a 7-year-old girl I knew at the time, a "milk carton with arms".

[llmart]

18. Let's not forget.......

the Jesusland theme park in Florida!

[MatthewStLouis]

21. I just looked up that statue...

It IS a milk carton with arms!

The money that made that monstrosity could've been better spent feeding the poor. Of course, that isn't really part of the christian conservative agenda...

[Aristus]

19. Small loss.

Fewer and fewer people want to pay money to see 'church-acting'.

[brooklynite]

23. How many people applauded when "The Fantasticks" closed in NYC?

Or does the enthusiasm only apply to theater you don't like?

And, if it makes you feel equally giddy, NYC Opera Company announced they were closing.

[JanMichael]

25. I am not giddy about any theater production closing

however, I think it's bullshit that the person mentioned the ACA....that's just crap

[pstokely]

26. Did they blame ACA?

?

[jmowreader]

28. The real problem they're having

Everyone who has ever wanted to see Shepherd of the Hills, HAS.