Mountain of Entertainment Theater to open in Pigeon Forge
April 4, 2023

The Warrens in front of their theatre; image submitted

PIGEON FORGE, TN -- One of Pigeon Forge’s beloved performers, Hugh Warren, will be opening a new theater in Pigeon Forge with his wife, Chelsi Jussel Warren, this spring. The theater will be named Mountain of Entertainment Theater. It fulfills the couple’s dream of opening a Christian-based family, variety show in an entertainment region they want to continue to support.

The new theater will open on April 7, 2023, with a grand opening on April 11. The Warrens have leased the 10,000 square foot, 534 seat theater at 2135 Parkway (between traffic lights 0 and 1) for four years with an option to renew.

Hugh Warren, a native of Dunn, N.C., was formerly a performer at Dixie Stampede Dinner and Show, Country Tonite Theatre and The Smoky Mountain Opry, all in Pigeon Forge. He is a DJ, host, musician and singer/songwriter, and has most recently written a couple of children’s books. He has also entertained in shows in other cities including Branson, Mo., Orlando, Fla. and Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Entertaining is a family affair for the Warrens. Hugh’s wife, Chelsi, originally from Branson, Mo., has been performing for years as well. She and Hugh met while they were both performing at Dixie Stampede in Branson. While Hugh and their son, Jace, who appeared as a featured youth performer/singer at Country Tonite last season, will both star in their new variety show at the Mountain of Entertainment Theater, Chelsi will be overseeing the operations of the theater as general manager.

The Warrens are not new to the entertainment industry. In addition to years of performing, they have more than five years of experience producing, directing, designing and appearing in their own theater productions. They most recently produced a Christmas show called “Noel” at the Michiana Event Center in Shipshewana, Ind.

The idea to open the new Mountain of Entertainment Theater came from a shared desire to be able to live in their home in Sevierville, Tenn., while fulfilling a long-time dream of running their own theater. This venture allows them to have a permanent space where they can audition, rehearse and stage their own shows.

“For years we wanted to have our own theater, but it did not seem possible because the funds were not available. But we kept believing that this was meant to be, and it would work out,” Hugh Warren explained. “Finally, the right doors opened and we had the opportunity to partner with some friends of ours in this venture.

“We are going to feature the best talent available in this mountain region, along with a few surprises that you won’t find at any other theater in the area,” Warren said. “We want our new shows to be the highlight of our guests’ vacation, and we guarantee they will want to bring the whole family back again-and-again!”

The Mountain of Entertainment Theater will showcase talented musicians, singers, and dancers performing hit songs from all genres of music spanning several decades. There will also be specialty acts including high-flying aerialists, a world-famous juggler, a mesmerizing illusionist, hilarious comedy and amazing gaucho dancers from Argentina.

The theater will bring an estimated 50 new jobs to Pigeon Forge. While the talented cast is already determined, the theater is currently hiring box office, gift store and concession workers, as well as a sound engineer. Those interested are asked to come to the theater to apply.

The Warrens have been busy with renovations to get ready for the theater’s upcoming opening. The most obvious change on the outside of the building that is visible from the Parkway, is that the former theater letters have come down and a new illuminated marquee will be going up soon. Changes inside the building include fresh paint, installing wallpaper and building stage props, sets, and a new band riser. One of the biggest projects has involved updating and moving the flying rig that operates above the stage and installing additional show lighting to the already impressive system.

The theater contains extensive technical capabilities including a giant LED screen for visual displays and projection screens on both sides of the stage. There is also a state-of-the-art LED curtain backdrop, low lying fog machines, LED illuminated fog geysers, haze effects, state-of -the-art lighting, enhanced sound and new speakers and microphones as well as a new 48 channel digital mixing console. The theater has a large lobby with a unique gift store, an improved concession area, and a box office space.

Showtimes will be Monday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m., with a 3:00 p.m. matinee on Saturdays. Ticket prices will be $44.95 for adults and $22.95 for children ages 4 to 11. Children ages 1-3 are free if they are sitting on an adult’s lap. The theater will be closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas. The show will run for this season from April 7 until Dec. 30th, 2023. Then it will close for two months and open back up in March of 2024. For more information, call the theater’s box office (865) 245-4FUN or visit mountainofentertainmenttheater.com.