Unto These Hills, Outdoor Drama — Attraction in Yellowhill Community

I had heard such great reviews from friends and family that saw 'Unto These Hills' in Cherokee NC years ago. This was my first time at the performance. While I wasn't expecting as grand a play the likes of other outdoor performances experienced, I did expect some authenticity from a Native American show in the heart of Cherokee country. There were 3 of us including a friend that is part Cherokee...all of us were greatly disappointed in the May 2024 show. These are the issues lending to a subpar rating: The seats were very uncomfortable metal chairs positioned with a backward slant so your legs would not touch the ground if you're 5'4" or under. We noticed later on they did have stools upon the asking, but we weren't informed of this by anyone prior to the show. For handicap individuals, the steps were atrocious to descend and acsend. The carts used to drive you to your seat traveled a pathway requiring you to take many stairs anyway, depending on the location of your seat. I'm sorry, but if I wanted to see a ballet, I would have attended a ballet. The main dancer might have excelled in a local community ballet show, but NOT as part of a Cherokee Stomp, Eagle or any of their many dance numbers...and certainly NOT as the main character as he was pasty white and not representative of the beautiful features of the Cherokee heritage. We wondered if he might have been the shows choreographer, too, because whenever a dance number was performed, it seemed to be all about him...which took attention off the production as a whole. There were many other talented performers shining despite the main dancer's almost comedic display of a "Cherokee Ballerina" saving this from a zero rating (had that been an option). Beware: When leaving, we were instructed to go an "easier way", which was the worse way for the elderly or mobility compromised. We had to scale stairs which were awkwardly pitched, ground grossly uneven and steel railings so pitted and rusted, a firm grabhold resulted in palms succumbing to sharp patches of metal shards. My Cherokee friend said the nation is not held to the rigorous safety laws of the state. It's a shame to see such a crumbling of this venue into the history of the Cherokee peoples. SOMEONE needs to take pride of ownership here if expected to weather future influx of tourist interest. I wish I would have seen the show years ago at its excellence instead of walking away knowing what this reenactment could have been...and wasn't. We left at intermission and even that wasn't...

This is an excellent play that shows a brief history of the Cherokee People. Personally I found it to be both enjoyable and sobering. It comes in two parts with a 15 minute intermission in the middle. A VIP ticket will allow you to join a backstage tour before and after the show, and also will get you a goody bag with a commemorative cup that gets you free refills, at least at the time of this writing. There is apparently also a combo dinner VIP ticket available, but I missed that so can't speak to the dinner.

The stadium seating consists of fixed metal contoured chairs common in outdoor venues like this. If you're not used to that bring a cushion to sit on. The seating height was slightly tall in some spots, and I saw some people with footstools. I don't know if they were available on site or if those people were just well informed. I sat on a couple other rows and found the height wasn't consistent so you'll roll the dice on that.

There are snack bars midway as well as bathrooms, so you don't have to climb back to the top during the intermission. As for the snacks themselves it seemed to be the standard fare of preparing boxed popcorn, candies, and sodas. There is also a small assortment of souvenirs available. In addition they occasionally also have local craftspeople sell their wares.

For accessibility they have golf carts to take people to the top and middle rows. However it is a stadium so the majority of the seating requires navigating stairs. The back stage tour also requires navigating some stairs and a stage of sand.

I found the staff to be courteous and helpful, and at least the ones I ran into seemed to genuinely enjoy what they were doing.

If you have the time earlier then I think this show would be a great addition to a visit to the Oconaluftee Indian Village also run by the Cherokee Historical Association.

So in summary yes, yes I do recommend...

I'm glad to say it never gets old. I went with a cousin years (about 8) ago & I loved it then & loved it again yesterday. The essence of the spirit is still fresh in my soul of our ancestors to a point of I feel there with them on their journey with my journey today. We all where ever one is from must not ever forget what happened here & what this land-continent-was, is & will always be...that is originally a land gifted from God the Great Creator full of a loving culture of people who welcomed many to its home gracefully with unconditional love. Also at the same time some aboriginals also embraced the culture that was forced here-not all but some. Thank you to all our ancestors for keeping our culture alive & well. All the brothers & sisters who participated in this documentary stage play-all involved I say thank you with LOVE-AWESOME JOB-keeping our culture alive & well letting us know it's not going away but will continue to grow with love & grace!!! Our whole USA country's population & everyone else needs to see this & imagine it happening 1000 times as it truly did. Much Love to and peace to all🤔💔💖✌️ Sorry the pics that were posted on here were not of the drama but were of the cherokee youth center. My phone somehow put then on...