On Saturday, Lagoon and Pioneer Village will begin daily operation for the park's 102nd season. All rides, games, concessions and shows will be open seven days a week throughout the summer season, from 11 a.m. daily.
The resort's latest attraction - Lagoon A Beach water park - is scheduled to open in mid-June.In the meantime, the popular "Music USA" production, going into its eighth season, will take patrons on a tour of the music of Hollywood - from black-and-white talkies to Technicolor musicals.
"Silver Screen" will recreate favorite scenes by stars like Shirley Temple, Mae West, Charlie Chaplin, Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy, and a tribute to movies that won Academy Awards.
The cast of "Music USA" includes several talented young performers from past seasons as well as new Wasatch Front talent. They'll be accompanied by a live 10-piece orchestra in songs like "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head," "Moon River" and tunes from "Grease."
The show plays nightly at 7:30 and 9 and on Sundays at 6 and 7:30 p.m.
The Lagoon All-Star Band is also back with its high-energy, high-stepping fun. The band, being directed by Richard Lambert of Bonneville High School, Ogden, is made up of high school and college talent from Salt Lake City to Ogden.
Drum major is Rod Wayman of the University of Utah.
The band's repertoire will include tunes from "The Little Shop of Horrors" (being presented this summer in Lagoon Opera House) and "Les Miserables," plus such old favorites as "Swanee," "Hey, Baby," and a George M. Cohan medley.
The Wild West Shoot-out in Pioneer Village will again feature the Lagoon stuntmen in a variety of thrills and spills. Musical instruments of the early 1900s will also be demonstrated in the music hall.
Beginning July 14 and continuing throughout the rest of the summer, Pioneer Village also will be the site of an authentic "Country Fair," reminiscent of those from the 1890s with games, concessions and entertainment, including the Shupe Fiddlers from Ogden, a petting zoo for children, a high-wire act over Main Street and a log-rolling show.
A new addition to the musical lineup at Lagoon this season will be the rhythm 'n' blues ensemble, Summer Rhythm. Made of performers from past seasons, this band (which replaces the former Country Side) will present pop hits from today and from the past on the Carousel Stage.
-LAGOON OPERA HOUSE is being leased this season to JPB International Events for a production of "Little Shop of Horrors," running Wednesdays-Fridays at 8:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. from June 23 to Aug. 26. All seats are $8, general admission. The Saturday afternoon performance will include a post-show demonstration of "Audry II, The Plant."
Tickets ordered prior to June 1 are priced at $6.50. Order forms are available at all Smith'sTix outlets or tickets may also be ordered by calling 292-6460.
"Little Shop of Horrors" is being directed by Edward J. Gryska, artistic director for Salt Lake Acting Company, which presented the regional premiere of the popular show three years ago.