Fee Hedrick Family Entertainment Group

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn., April 3, 2007 — The Fee/ Hedrick Family Entertainment Group is pulling another rabbit out of its hat—opening a new theater featuring a new magic show on the Parkway in Pigeon Forge. Co-owners David Fee and Jim Hedrick will open a new 400 seat-theater titled “Magic Beyond Belief” starring International Star of Magic, Terry Evanswood—one of the best magicians in the country.

Located in the former Ole Smoky Hoedown Theater at 2135 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, the new magic show will have a soft opening on Thursday, April 5, with the grand opening to follow during the first week in May.

A preview show will run for the first month, giving show patrons a first look at the show’s star, master magician Terry Evanswood. A professional magician who for the past 10 years has been the star of The Country Tonite Theatre’s morning “Grand Illusion Show,” Evanswood now fulfills a longtime dream of staring in a prime time magic extravaganza.

Throughout the preview month, new acts will be incorporated into the show, including the highlight illusion of a white tiger appearing out of thin air before the audience’s eyes.
Renovations for the inside of the theater will be complete before the show’s soft opening on April 5; while renovations on the outside of the theater will continue during the next month in preparation for the theater’s grand opening in May.

“Magic Beyond Belief” will feature stunning illusions, exotic animals, mind-boggling special effects, and hilarious comedy. It will be a high-energy, fast-faced production.
“We will have an intimate magic experience at our new theater and we are thrilled to have Terry Evanswood join our company,” said David Fee, co-owner of the theater. “Terry has wanted to have an evening show for a long time and we know it will be a huge success.

“The theater has been tailored during the renovation specifically to accommodate magic,” Fee said. The show will be a high-energy succession of illusions, close-up magic and sleight-of-hand tricks. Two large video screens will complement the show, as well as the glamour of mood-setting lights and music, new sets and costumes and state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems. The pacing according to Fee will be fast, fun and energetic and the show will include humor, and live animals.

Evanswood says in all of his shows that he is not trying to trick anyone, but to bring the child out in everyone who attends his show. He says his goal is to put a personal touch into every show. “I perform like the audience is a group of friends. What sticks with people are the personal moments we create. I try to touch people’s hearts in every performance,” Evanswood says.

The award-winning magician has been performing professionally since the age of 10. Originally from Chicago, Evanswood has appeared in live stage shows and on national television programs throughout the United States.

Evanswood is a member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians and the Society of American Magicians, being endorsed into membership by David Copperfield and Harry Blackstone, Jr. Evanswood is also a lifetime member of the International Magicians Society, which presented him with their highest degree, the coveted Doctorate of Magic diploma.

In fact, famous illusionist Harry Blackstone, Sr. was Evanswood’s inspiration for entering the profession. At age 9, Evanswood attended one of Blackstone’s shows, where he remembers the “floating light bulb” trick. He says of the experience, “I sat there wide-eyed and said to my Dad, I want to be a magician. I wanted to be able to make people feel like I did at that moment.”

Today, Evanswood says he wants to create imagination and wonder for people in a world that is full of reality. “I want to help people get away from their problems. Don’t try to figure out the tricks, just let your imagination wonder. I want people to enjoy the magic for what it is. It’s live fantasy,” he says.

For David Fee and Jim Hedrick, the theater’s owners are realizing a magical dream too. Fee said, “I used to be a professional magician and my business partner, Jim Hedrick used to be a professional juggler and we have always wanted to bring a magic show to Pigeon Forge. This will be a huge production and a great show for all ages.”

Both Fee and Hedrick performed at the 1984 World’s Fair in New Orleans, Louisiana World Exposition, and were featured entertainers doing magic, juggling, fire eating, comedy, ventriloquism and escape artistry on Carnival Cruise Lines for over nine years. Their roots go back to being performers at Magic World in Pigeon Forge and when they originally opened The Comedy Barn, they were performers as well as co-owners.

Ticket prices for the “Magic Beyond Belief” Show will be $19.95, plus tax for adults; and $9.95, plus tax for children ages 2 through 11. Show times will be 8:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday with 2:00 p.m. matinees on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Call (865) 428-5600 for reservations.

Other shows in the Fee/Hedrick Family Entertainment Group include “The Comedy Barn”, “The Black Bear Jamboree”, “The Miracle”, “The Blackwood Brother’s Variety Show” and “The Triumphant Quartet Southern Gospel Show.” Each show has its own demographics Fee said—comedy lovers, bear lovers, Broadway show lovers, religious show lovers, gospel music fans and magic lovers. “We want to provide clean wholesome entertainment for families who will return to see our shows again and again,” Fee said. “Our new theater will be Beyond Belief!”