CHEROKEE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — “Unto These Hills” has been running in Cherokee, N.C. for 75 years. The outdoor drama, chronicling the formation of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and the tragedy of the Trail of Tears, is a tour-de-force of Cherokee culture and a defining example of the unique power of open-air theater.

What to expect at “Unto These Hills”

The most arresting thing about the show is its scope, from the size of the auditorium itself to the ranks of the cast. The massive Mountainside Theatre, carved into the side of a ridge and sloping down to its large, multi-tier stage, seats nearly 3,000 people, while the ensemble cast of “Unto These Hills” includes more than 70 actors, nearly half of which are members of the EBCI. The show spans centuries, comprised of vignettes from Cherokee history ranging from European contact in the 16th century all the way to Cherokee removal in the 1830s.

The best parts of the production are when it leans into the grandeur of its stage. There are several Cherokee dance performances throughout the production that are among the most visually arresting things you’ll see in a theatre performance, aided by fire elements and gorgeous costuming. Impressive, too, are the battle scenes, which span the scope of the stage and envelope the action in smoke from simulated cannon and gunfire. “Unto These Hills” is at its best when dozens of actors are onstage, each contributing to the sensation that you’ve traveled back in time.

The less successful parts of the show came when it leaned too heavily on the original 1950 script by playwright Kermit Hunter. While the show has been updated over the years, focusing more on Cherokee characters and adding in more Cherokee language, Hunter’s words were clunky for many of the actors onstage. While the voice-of-god narration is grandiose and gorgeous – a Hunter trademark, as seen in his other famed outdoor drama, “Horn in the West,” still performed in Boone, N.C. – other vignettes were ungainly and cumbersome. However, thanks to several of the performers’ skillful comic timing, the humor of the show came through, even if the more dramatic dialogue felt leaden.

“Unto These Hills” is a singular experience. There is not a single other show in the country that has been running as long or focused as heavily on the Cherokee experience, and certainly not another show with production value like this one.

Attending “Unto These Hills”

“Unto These Hills” begins at 8 p.m., with pre-show entertainment at 7:30 p.m., and runs Monday–Saturday until Aug. 23 at the Mountainside Theatre, 688 Drama Road, Cherokee, N.C.

General admission tickets cost $35 for adults, $30 for seniors ages 65 and up, $25 for children ages 6 to 11 and free admission for infants and toddlers.

Reserved seating tickets cost $45 for adults, $40 for seniors, $35 for children and free admission for infants and toddlers.

VIP tickets, which include reserved seating, early admission to the Mountainside Theatre and a souvenir bag, are $60. Tickets for groups of 15 people or more may be purchased for a reduced rate.

For more tickets and more information, visit www.visitcherokeenc.com/play/attractions/unto-these-hills-outdoor-drama.