Dollywood's "Sha-Kon-O-Hey!" showcases the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee

Dolly Parton’s Dollywood recently unveiled a new show – “Sha-Kon-O-Hey!-Land of the Blue Smoke” – which showcases Parton’s songwriting and her appreciation of the Great Smoky Mountains.

The one million dollar production is the largest and most elaborate in the theme park’s 24-year history. The new show coincides with the 75th anniversary of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The 45-minute production features eight original songs written by Dolly Parton, which were released on a CD entitled “Sha-Kon-O-Hey,” and takes audiences back to the time when the park was first being organized. The musical journey follows a reluctant family as it bids farewell to the area that eventually becomes the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The captivating story introduces audiences to the settlers, the rail and lumberman, the Cherokee Warriors and shiners while honoring the spirit of the mountains and the heritage of the people who live there.

The production consists of eight singers/dancers and 10 acrobats plus a six-piece live band. The theater also compliments the production well, as guests are greeted by a cascading waterfall upon entering the theater, and other scenic elements and various stage effects are incorporated to create a unique telling of the land of the Smokies.