Backstage Pass: Array dazzles with seasonal fare

by VICTORIA ELIZABETH

Array, the signature show at the illustrious Mountain Of Entertainment Theater (located on the iconic, bustling Pigeon Forge Parkway) blends a delightful mix of music, complex choreography, and dazzling costume designs. 

Lauded by countless media outlets and attendees alikeArraywill surely mystify and amaze. 

The Backstage Pass Team was elated to return for another spotlight of Array’s incredible Christmas show (be sure to check out our previous spotlight features as well as our Iheart Radio interview with the cast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/backstage-pass-with-victoria/id1437984392?i=1000659743468 ).

The over two hour extravaganza kicked off to a rousing start with a rendition of Dean Martin’s feel-good classic, “ A Marshmallow World”, featuring a menagerie of the cast’s wildly talented principal dancers and vocalists. Hosted by  beloved entertainment veteran, Hugh  Warren, who opened Mountain of Entertainment Theater in 2023 along with his wife, Chelsi Jussel Warren, this dynamic show is action packed, moving seamlessly from one music and variety act to the next with nary a pause in between. 

One of the only true classic variety shows in the region, Array Variety show features a plethora of specialty acts, and the first of the aforementioned performers to take the stage during the show were Duo Artists (comprised of the remarkably gifted Leanne Farley and Seymon Grusdev) who kicked off their jaw dropping, world renowned quick change act with a routine set to the tune “Cool Yule”  by Louis Armstrong and the Commanders, followed by a dazzling follow up quick change performance set to “It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” 

A few additional stand out moments included an elegant dance set to the tune of legendary crooner Frank Sinatra’s song, The Christmas Waltz, a melodic rendition of Judy Garland’s “Have Your Self a Merry Little Christmas”, and a rousing performance  of “We Need a Little Christmas.” 

The enigmatic Jill Terry performs a hauntingly beautiful number with a magical floating table, set to the tune of “Once Upon a December” from the Broadway musical, “Anastasia.”

Go Gaucho, an Argentinian dance troupe founded by the husband and wife team of Sebastian and Amberlyn Sayago, brings the crowd to uproarious applause with the pulse pounding rhythmic beats of the Malambo and Boleadoras routines. Arguably one of the most popular acts in the Array Variety Show, Go Gaucho received its very own resident show of the same name at the Mountain of Entertainment Theater , entertaining thousands and upon thousands of guests from around the world.

Seymon Grusdev dazzles on the Cyr Wheel (a large, single metal ring used in circus arts for acrobatic performances) while one of Array’s other beloved and popular variety acts, known as “Hey, Buford!” astounds the audience and elicits uproarious laughter with his ventriloquism skills, brought to life with an assortment of his custom puppets. Buford also shows off his comedic abilities on a hysterically funny rendition of “Baby It’s Cold Outside”, where the gender roles are funnily reversed. 

Special thanks to Hugh Warren and the entire Array team for arranging our visit for this spotlight feature.

WEBSITE: https://www.mountainofentertainmenttheater.com

PHONE NUMBER: +1 (865) 245-4386

INSTAGRAM @arrayvarietyshow