MEDORA, N.D. — The Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation, in conjunction with StageWest Entertainment, announced Thursday morning that Tim Drake will be filling in the vacant position of co-host for this summer’s lineup for the “Medora Musical.”
On May 4, the “Medora Musical” posted on its Facebook page that reigning co-host of seven years, Chet Wollan, was stepping down from his role due to medical vocal issues.
“The doctors believe it would be in his best interests, if he did not continue to put his voice through the stress of the summer, and nightly shows,” the Facebook post read.
Wollan’s wife Candice, who’s another veteran performer of 11 years in the “Medora Musical,” will also step away from her summer roles as a Burning Hills singer, company manager and dance captain.
“We do hope to be singing together again very soon, with a full recovery,” the Wollans wrote in the Facebook post. “And we cannot wait to come home to North Dakota in the future.”
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Annie Freres will return to the stage as co-host for her third year, coming up from Memphis, Tennessee. Originally from Mayville, Wisconsin, Drake will perform as “Dusty” Drake alongside “Calamity” Annie.
Though it may be his first year co-hosting the summer hit show, Drake is no stranger to Medora, as he performed in “ Ring of Fire ” at the Old Town Hall Theater last fall.
Along with a new co-host, the summer musical welcomes three new Burning Hills singers. The outdoor theater show is produced and directed by Curt Wollan and StageWest Entertainment, which is based out of Minneapolis.
For its 57th year, the “Medora Musical” has evolved over the decades from musical arrangements, costume redesigns and set changes. With varying themes throughout the years, the musical attracts people from all across the world to the Burning Hills Amphitheatre.
2022 Burning Hills singers
Three North Dakotans will comprise the cast list of Burning Hills singers from Taylor Leet, Damon Fitcher and Jeanna Zenz. Leet, a Bismarck native, first appeared in the “Medora Musical” in 2016 and is back for her seventh season. Coming from Dickinson, Fitcher returns to the Burning Hills Amphitheatre for his sixth time, making appearances in the “Medora Musical” between 2014 and now. Zenz, who’s originally from Watford City, brings another true North Dakotan voice to the Burning Hills singer lineup for her third year.
Each summer, the musical is accompanied by a group of musicians that comprise the Coal Diggers Band. The cast and band have already kicked off rehearsals in time for the June 8 opening show.
Visit medora.com/medoramusical for a complete cast list as well as ticket and show information.
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