Carolina Opry in Myrtle Beach SC
Multi-time recipient of the South Carolina Board of Tourism’s Governor’s Cup and Most Outstanding Attraction award, the Carolina Opry is one of Myrtle Beach’s most popular shows. Opened in 1986 and managed by Gilmore Entertainment, this musical extravaganza has also been voted Best Show in Myrtle Beach by visitors every year since its inaugural performance.
The signature show at the 2,200-seat theater, which is located along Hwy. 17, shares the name of the theater. The Carolina Opry Show is a 2-hour celebration of music that includes high-energy singing, dancing, and comedy acts. The cast of 36 performs a wide variety of genres including country, gospel, pop, Broadway, and rock and roll. Lighting and sound is state-of-the-art and the stage also includes three large video screens, making the show a true multi-media presentation. The show has been lauded in the country’s major newspapers as “a hot ticket” and, indeed, tickets can be quite difficult to get, especially during the summer tourist season, so potential audience members should order in advance.
Also at the Carolina Opry Theater is another show entitled “Good Vibrations.” This 90-minute, no intermission show is presented Tuesday and Friday nights in the spring and fall, and Monday, Wednesday, and Friday nights during the summer months. Good Vibrations includes music of the 60s, 70s, and 80s and features hits by groups like the Beach Boys, Don McLean, the Rolling Stones, The Righteous Brothers, Elvis, Kiss, and many other favorites. The audience will also recognize characters from television and movies of that era.
Throughout November and December, the theater hosts the “Carolina Opry Christmas Special”, a gala celebration of the holiday season. Set designers turn the theater into a spectacular winter wonderland and performers sing and dance to the most beloved songs of Christmas, including both sacred and secular favorites. And there might even be an appearance by the jolly old elf himself. Shows are offered nightly except for the week immediately preceding Christmas and matinees are offered on most Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
Also featured at the theater is “Light”, a laser show
that is coupled with music for a total sensory experience. These 45-minute
light shows happen daily and guests can choose between a variety of themed
presentations including Classic Rock, Family Fun, Beatles, Led Zeppelin,
Pink Floyd and Holiday.
Visitors to the Carolina Opry can purchase tickets to individual shows or can buy packages that include tickets to both the main show and Good Vibrations. Holiday season ticket packages will include tickets to the Christmas show, tickets to nearby Legends in Concert, and oceanfront resort accommodations. Season passes for the Carolina Opry are also available and provide unlimited visits to all shows at a reduced price, special pricing for guest tickets, seating preference, and a quarterly newsletter profiling the latest news at the Opry.
The Carolina Opry Show is the featured show, and it's won a number of awards and generally gets good reviews. It's a mixed music show that lasts two hours and crosses a number of genres - from pop, to rock and roll, to jazz, to country, to gospel. It includes a number of songs you'll probably recognize - For the Longest Time, All that Jazz, etc. However, the show isn't just music - it's billed as a "variety" show, and it also includes comedians, clog dancing, and all kinds of other entertainment. It's produced by Calvin Gilmore, who has made a number of other shows. The other shows you'll want to check out are "Good Vibrations," a compilation of 60's, 70's, and 80's hits, and "Tribute! The Concert," a celebrity impersonation concert with a rotating cast of artists performing as your favorite celebrities. For the general Carolina Opry, you can get tickets by calling 800-843-6779. The Tribute! Theater (located in North Myrtle Beach, so make sure you've got the means to travel there because it's a bit away) is reached at 800-313-6685. You can check out the main web page at: http://www.cgp.net/LandingPage.html This is actually a particularly useful site, and it will let you get details on each of the different shows along with ticket purchasing information. Ticket prices will run you about $30-40 each, depending on which one you get. It's cheaper for students and children, so keep that in mind.Return to Myrtle Beach Guide Home Page