The annual Frontier Review, a musical show that is held each year during Nebraskaland Days, is set in Nebraska during the time of the Old Glory Blowout.

The Old Glory Blowout was the first version of Buffalo Bill’s historic Wild West show, which was performed around the world in the late 1800s and early 1900s.  

The Old Glory Blowout was held on July 4, 1882 in the area that is now Cody Park.

This year, the Frontier Review was performed Sunday-Tuesday, June 16-18 at the Fox Theater in downtown North Platte.

This year’s review was also linked to the present day. It began with how North Platte is coming to new life with a rail park, shopping developments and an inland port authority, with new ‘watering holes,” such as Axes and Aces, Peg Leg Brewery, Pals Brewers, and Apeship, a downtown craft beer brewery that is expected to open next month.

Director Jennifer Smallcomb-Winder said she likes to work the new in with the old to tell a story in hopes entertaining everyone.

The audience received a “fate card” in their program, to learn what their fate might have been in the Old West. For instance, some “returned to Texas with the posse,” but some didn’t.

Each year, the script varies slightly. The music comes from a treasury of songs written by Dr. James E. Thayer of Sidney.

The characters included a foul-mouth sheriff, horse thieves, poker playin’ cheats and the like.

Some of the crowd’s favorite characters included the Medicine Man, Grandma Gilley and her Golden Girls, and a double quartet called RubaDub. For some chuckles, actor Gilbert Seck, who played the sheriff, worked a live lamb into the show. Another popular scene was about a rogue, young, curious cowboy who visited Grandma Gilley’s “show” and was quickly led “out back” for a spanking.

Winder is a teacher at St. Patrick’s and North Platte Community College. This year’s script was written by one of her students, Derek Ebmeier.

Pictured, some of the cast members on Bailey St. downtown before the show. From left: Sheriff Wilbur Leitfritz (Gilbert Seck), Lisco (Keri Fisher).
Youngest cowboy Samuel Winder, Belle Sydnee Nell.
Cowboy Dustin Cartmill, Director and accompanist Jennifer Smallcomb-Winder, Prairie Mama Ainsley McGahan, Wrangler Trenton Emmons, Gal with a Glow Sophia Perez, Nana Lisa Picket, Bartender Too Tall Timmy- Cameron Winder.
Prairie girl in green: Emmy Karkruff, Can-Can Kendra Veirs, Rattlesnake Ed Jon Musil, Handcar Hannah Randa Musil. Strollin the sidewalk: Townsfolk Ema McEntee.

Photo by George Lauby

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