by VICTORIA HENLEY
Since its inception in the spring of 2023, the Mountain of Entertainment Theater (owned and operated by live entertainment magnates, the power couple Hugh and Chelsi Warren), has cemented its reputation as the premier destination for world class variety entertainment in the Great Smoky Mountains.
I – and the rest of The Backstage Pass Team — was afforded the exclusive opportunity to spotlight the dynamic 2026 season of Array, the theater’s headlining show, blending numerous genres of music including country, classical, show tunes, pop, Christian and much more — with side splitting comedy, and internationally renowned variety acts.
The 2026 show, curated by the Warrens and their team of masterful creative directors and choreographers brings to life all the recurring favorites that Array fans have grown to love for the past few years as well as some dynamic new numbers sure to leave you spellbound.
The two-hour-plus, action-packed show kicks off to a rousing start with an assortment of classic , chart-topping tunes spanning the decades by a plethora of instantly recognizable artists featuring the remarkably talented ensemble of vocalists and dancers, before introducing Leann Farley and Seymon Grusdev, an award-winning duo who specialize in mesmerizing quick change acts, acrobatics, aerial silks, and much more.
Another specialty act, Go Gaucho (comprised of the wildly talented husband-and-wife team of Sebastain and Amberlyn Sayago, joined by an expert supporting cast of performers dancers, including Walters Celiz and Pony) brings an electrifying blend of traditional Malambo dance blended with pulse pounding percussion that will leave you truly mystified and amazed.
Buford, the cast ventriloquist, brings non-stop laughs and mesmerizing ventiliquism skill that you truly must witness for yourself in order to believe. Joined by a gaggle of his colorful cast of lovable puppets, including (perhaps most notably the quirky, quick-witted “talking horse” named “Red”), Buford dazzles not only with his acclaimed ventriloquism abilities and sharp comic timing but also his musical prowess (one portion of the show features Buford blowing bubbles whilst singing-a seemingly impossible feat-, as well as a performance of several classic country ballads as “sung” by Red while Buford seems to not even slightly move his own lips.
The cast of dancers effortlessly transitions from one high octane number to the next, bringing to life laser-precise choreography in genres ranging from jazz, contemporary, lyrical, classic, and much, much more.
Stand out principal cast members include the show’s producer and Array Theater co-owner, Hugh Warren, who brings his decades of experience as a seasoned vocalist in productions spanning the United States as the show’s emcee and headlining Male vocalist. His warm demeanor and smooth vocals bring an added layer of charm and sophistication to this two hour-plus production.
Warren’s son, Jace (the show’s headlining youth performer), got an early start performing at a plethora of shows across the Great Smokies and beyond, including Country Tonite Theatre. Additional eye catching principal vocalists and cast members includes show-stopping Haylee Cottrell (who wows with her legendary vocal runs and powerhouse range), Andrea Stimson (an award winning singer who has garnered acclaim internationally as an Adele tribute artist and has even released an album of her own original work), and Dalton (a polished performer with a staggeringly impressive vocal range and dance ability, who steals the spotlight in a variety of solo numbers).
Other notable performers include an experienced and wonderfully talented roster of swing performers (including T.C. Barnette, Madee Brown, and Amy Hall etc.)
Action packed and filled with top quality entertainment from start to finish, Array truly encompasses its name and affords guests the opportunity to experience an “array” of the finest entertainment you’ll see anywhere.
Special thanks to Hugh Warren and front of house manager, Renee, for facilitating our visit for this spotlight feature.
WEBSITE: https://www.mountainofentertainmenttheater.com
PHONE NUMBER: (865) 245-4386
INSTAGRAM @arrayvarietyshow, @mtnentertainmenttheater
