Medora Musical — Attraction in Belfield

I really don’t know what to say about this year’s Medora Musical bc it left me confused. It has lost the plot quite literally bc there wasn’t one. It was just a mishmash of things happening with some singing and dancing that wasn’t even good. I’ve been to the musical over a dozen times over the last 20+ years. I grew up visiting Medora as a family tradition. I know over the last few years, the history of the western life in North Dakota has become less and less apart of the show and this year REALLY took the cake on awful and disappointing. Disappointing. I can’t use that word enough to describe my experience. There wasn’t any western spirit incorporated. Which was once the whole show, the whole point of the Medora Musical in western North Dakota. Cowboy culture. The girls weren’t even wearing cowgirl boots this year! I’ve never seen such dishonor. It’s very obvious they sold out to Lululemon, Hey Dude wearing, Benz driving adults and their iPad kids. This show made such a MOCKERY of Medora history. A complete joke. I feel ashamed to think that this show is supposed to represent Medora. The weird AI silhouettes of the Schafers might be proud of the show, but I don’t think the real Schafers would be. It had nothing to do with the love of the Badlands, cowboys, or the history of Teddy Roosevelt. I’m not a mentally ill right-winger so I can’t believe I feel the need to say this, but the show needs to go back to its roots. I’m just a girl that misses when the show told a story. The story of cowboys falling in love, the girls wishing them to battle, and Teddy Roosevelt leading the way all accompanied by country music. Idk if it’s hard to find talent given the lack of dancing, singing, and dialogue of the performers and the band not living up to how I remember, or if it’s a general lack of care and interest from a corporate team to keep tradition and the spirit of the West alive. I - actually anyone - can do without the cracked out characters spewing facts in the most insincere way. If I wanted a history lesson, I’d visit one of the many amazing museums Medora has to offer. I’m here for a show - a theatrical retelling of life in old Medora. And I’m not a musical lover at all, but that’s what I loved about the Medora Musical. It was different. Not a trashy comedy with kitschy pop music but a dramatic, lose-yourself-in-another-life performance with dancing and music to match. It almost brought me to tears by how saddened and disappointed I was watching that disaster of a show taking place on the historic stage. This show was a disgrace to Medora, the Badlands, and Teddy Roosevelt. Period. It’s lost its spirit all to be a tourist trap. A roadside attraction. Not a place of tradition. Not something families can come to year after year that feels familiar yet so indescribably unique. A breath of fresh air. Medora is so special, so untouched, and I fear what it’s becoming. Not everything needs to appeal to people in Louis Vuitton and their accessory children. And that’s the point. It’s supposed to be different. People that love Medora love that about it. If I wanted to watch a joke musical, I’d go down the street to Chanhassen. This is not Minneapolis. This is not Chicago. This is not New York. This is Medora. Teddy Roosevelt himself was from New York but loved western North Dakota for what it is. He wanted to conserve it, not change it. And the Medora Musical should be following in his footsteps. North Dakota doesn’t have much going for it, and after this experience, it unfortunately has even less. Call me when the show is good again. Otherwise I’m happy NEVER seeing modern interpretive dance performed in a cowboy...

We attended the 7:30pm show of the Medora musical in mid August. We parked in an overflow lot, but there was still plenty of parking around. The venue offers free golf cart rides to the entrance. It’s not a far walk though. There are plenty of restrooms up top on the parking level. To get down to the amphitheater , there are 3 options. An elevator, escalator and stairs/ramps.

The Venue is very nice. Restrooms are in the back of the amphitheater, as well as concessions. Concessions were pretty high - movie theater prices ($7 for small popcorn). The seats were comfortable and there was a good amount of leg room.

The musical was very enjoyable. The stage is spectacular as it mimics an old western town. Behind it, the beautiful North Dakota landscape. At some points during the show, they open up the stage in the back and you can view the landscape. We saw a huge elk out in the field!

The singers, band and acts were great. It was a little touch of history with Medora and Teddy Roosevelt. The songs are all songs you would know, which made it great. Shortly after intermission, there was a variety act. We had a juggler, who put on an awesome show. However, I think the variety act isn’t really needed - just carry on with the musical. The show was 2 hours total with a 15 minute intermission in the middle. They started promptly at 7:30, so be on time.

I gave 4 stars versus 5, solely for the ending/dismissal. They dismiss by rows starting at the back/top. We were seated a few rows from the front/bottom. We waited for a while and they were only a few rows out from the top. We had a good drive to get back to our camper and dog and didn’t want to wait that long. Plus, there’s a traffic jam at the one escalator that goes up. We got up to leave and the usher made us stop and wait on a few rows to leave. Then people were staring at us like we were crazy. I didn’t really like that. The show is over - I want to go. Otherwise, I’d had given a 5 star review. The amphitheater holds a lot of people. They...

These experiences are worth every penny that you’ll spend. Started with dinner at Steak and Fondue- good food, especially the steak. If you leave hungry, it’s your own fault! Plan on giving yourself at least an hour to an hour and a half from when you sit down to eat to when you walk the short distance to the amphitheater for the show (more if you eat slowly or want to sightsee before the show). Followed it up with the Medora Musical. Highly recommend seating in section 3/4 or 4/5 (right in the center) with seats at the TOP of the lower section or seats at the BOTTOM of the upper section. This will give you the best view of both the stage and allow you to still see the views of the Badlands behind the amphitheater. We were in row EE of the top section and the views were great (they were also the cheapest seats!). You’ll take an escalator down to the theater and can either walk back up or they offer golf cart rides. The show is awesome; expect loud music, lights and minor fireworks that create loud bangs. Oh, and LOTS of laughs!

Overall a great, family-friendly place that appeals to all ages. It was windy, one employee says he hasn’t (yet) been there a day where it hasn’t been. Sunglasses, and a camera are a must; a jacket/sweater is recommended.

“Calamity Annie” has an amazing voice- that woman can sing! She was my favorite and I hope she sees this! ❤️ Keep on it, girl. You are...