Fee Hedrick Family Entertainment Group

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. - Ever wonder how angels fly on stage during “The Miracle” production’s battle scene? Want to know how the sets are changed out so quickly during each performance? And how many pounds of hay do the animals eat each day anyway? Mysteries of “The Miracle” production are unlocked in a new Backstage VIP Tour at The Miracle Theater in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.

“The Miracle” production is a faith-based, original, Broadway-style musical based on the life and miracles of Jesus Christ. Show-goers can now upgrade their Miracle tickets to a Producer’s Pass for the low cost of $5 each to experience firsthand the inner-workings of the only Broadway-caliber theater in Pigeon Forge. Tours begin about one-hour before each Miracle show time and enable patrons to observe the theater in full pre-show mode.

The behind-the-scenes tour highlights the theater’s house area, lighting and sound booths, scenery operations, props tables, dressing rooms, wardrobe room, hair and make-up areas, and a look at the million-dollar stables where the show animals are kept, along with a once-in-a-lifetime chance to stand on a real theater stage.

Cast members conduct the backstage tours. Jen Gilbert, originally from Greer, S.C., plays Mother Mary in the show. She says, “I love being able to interact with the audience before each show and share information about how the theater works.”

Gilbert will tell you things like…it takes two people to operate the two fly rigs located backstage that enable the angels to soar more than 30-feet in the air during each show. …It takes 10 projectors to create the storm scene on a curtain backdrop that falls from one of the theaters 48 line sets. … And the animals in the show makes as many costume changes as the cast members! These facts and many more are discovered during the 30-minute tour.

Gilbert adds, “I just love that the tour allows our guests to ask anything they want about the theater and show. It’s nice to add to their ‘Miracle’ experience.”

“The Miracle” is a $15 million production that features a cast of multi-talented actors, singers, and dancers, along with live animals. Open for its second season, The Miracle Theater became a ministry in 2007 with a mission to present faith-based family entertainment through live theatrical productions revealing the person of Jesus Christ as The Living Word of God.

“The Miracle” runs March-December at The Miracle Theater, located at 2046 on the Parkway in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., with shows at 7:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 2:00 p.m. matinees on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Adult tickets are $29.95, plus tax. One child is free with each paying adult. Additional child tickets, for ages 11 and under, are $9.95, plus tax. For tickets, call 865-428-SHOW(7469). Groups of 20 people or more can receive a discounted rate by calling reservations at 1-866-492-6972. For more information or to see video clips of the show, visit www.miracletheater.com.