Sight and Sound, PA

Last week while we were on vacation we took a trip to Sight and Sound in Pennsylvania. Sight and Sound is a theatre that holds Biblical based live shows. It is located in Strasburg, PA. We have never been to a show but have heard that they have excellent shows. My parents have been to several of their shows. They met us out there for this show as well.

This trip was actually planned by our homeschool support group and they were all there as well although we really didn't all stay together as we had all purchased our own tickets. We attended the Behind the Scenes Tour in the morning. Our tour guides were two of the actors that were in the show we were there to see.We watched a short movie presentation about how Sight and Sound was developed and the vision of misson they have. We were able to go backstage see some of the scenery, the anamatronic animals, live animals (yes they have live animals in the show!). We were also able to see them working on props for some of the upcoming shows. We able to stand on the stage and see how the actors know where to stand and what markers they use to be sure they are in the right place at the right time. We had a chance to visit both the men's and women's dressing room. The costumes are magnificent.

Here is one of the people in our group. They dressed him in one of the costumes.(I believe it was Cain's costume) What a complete change. His beard and mustache looked so real. I wish I had taken a before picture. There were no photography allowed and they told us we could take a picture at this time.

The gal in the picture was our tour guide and an actress in the show we were seeing. The other actor played Cain during the show.

We also visited the audio booth and the lighting booth to learn how they use the lights and sound during the show. The theatre is surround sound and it was amazing the sounds that could be made, thunder, crickets, night sounds, birds. It all sounded so real. The lighting was just as amazing. The entire ceiling can be made to look like a starry night sky, beautiful!

The stage is a wrap around stage it goes up both sides of the theatre plus the main stage in the front.

The show we saw was In The Beginning. It is the biblical account of creation and the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve and their banishment from the Garden of Eden, their life after their banishment up until Adam's death. (there are some liberties taken with the story and they do mention that in the beginning of the show) The show was spectacular! It starts with darkness and God creating the earth and universe out of the vast darkness. The sets were just beautiful as well as the costumes. There is so much to see! For instance when the planets were formed you could see them in front of you and also above your head out in the audience. There were flying angels and God appears before Adam and Eve through out the story. You can feel God's love for Adam and Eve and the world He has created as well as Adam and Eve's love for God.

During the show there are scenes played on all three stages, some at the same time and some at different times. The show is also played out in the isles several times during the show and there are many live animals as well.

The building that houses the theatre is beautiful. The grounds outside are lovely. It is a very large building. All of the staff was very friendly and courteous. As far as seating there is not a bad seat in the building except for maybe the very front (you would have to really look up to see the show) and the very sides near the wall next to the side stages. We will be going back to see another show. The boys loved it. Kaden (age 4) sat on the edge of his seat for the entire show. There was a 15 intermission between acts. They also have a small gift shop and conessions on both sides of the theatre. We are hoping to go to the Christmas show. I can tell you I wanted to go right back in and see In The Beginning again. It was that good.

A few pictures from our day. There was no photography permitted backstage or during the show but you could take pictures anywhere else.

There is also a Sight and Sound Theatre in Branson, MO now.

Outside of the main enterance

Just inside the building in the lobby.

Joseph is coming in 2010. We want to see it.

Joseph's coat

The huge statue in the main part of the lobby.


A little snack while waiting for the show.