Metro Voice News Celebrating Faith, Family & Community
From shepherd boy to warrior to king of Israel, David’s legendary biblical story comes to life on Sight & Sound Theatre’s massive 300-foot panoramic stage in Branson, marking one of the most ambitious productions in the theatre’s history.
“DAVID debuted in 2022 in Lancaster, Pa., and played there that entire year, but this will be a brand-new show for Branson in 2025,” said Kortney Neal, the theater’s marketing and community relations manager. “This is our ninth production to take the Branson stage. We are excited to share this legendary story of David. From kids to grandparents, it will be a story that people will really love.”
DAVID opened March 8 and continues through Jan. 3, 2026, which will make it the longest-running show the theater has ever produced. Sixty actors portray the many highs – and occasional lows – of David’s memorable life.
“We open the show with David being a young shepherd boy,” she said. “We have 30 sheep in this production, and they will be running through the aisles. We cover his story from when David is a young shepherd boy until he becomes king of Israel. We will be covering a lot of the highlights, such as him defeating Goliath and what it was like for him to take the throne.”
The sheer size of the Sight & Sound stage lends itself to dramatizing such a rich and varied life.
“Goliath will be one of the most amazing special effects we have ever had on stage,” Neal said. “He is 14 feet tall and weighs more than 800 pounds. We know that’s not exactly what he would have been in biblical times, but when you look at the massive stage we have at Sight & Sound, 9 feet was just not tall enough.”
Some aspects of David’s life may be rated PG-13, as anyone who has read the Old Testament account understands. The show looks at his failures as well as his successes, but in a way that is suitable for all ages.
“We are committed to being true to what the scripture says, so Bathsheba is part of this production,” she said. “But it is done in a tasteful way so adults will know exactly what is happening, but for kids, the stage goes dark and what happens is implied. We keep our productions family friendly. We always encourage families to read the scripture together to know what to expect when they come see these stories on stage.”
The sound part of the production is as impressive as the sights. “I think the music in this production is some of the best that Sight & Sound has ever done,” Neal said. “It’s all original music inspired by the Psalms and is just beautiful.”
With more than 400 performances scheduled, visitors will have ample opportunities to see the show. However, it is a good idea to plan ahead, especially as tourist season approaches.
“I would recommend checking out the calendar on our website (www.sight-sound.com),” she said. “We have anywhere from nine to 11 shows per week, typically from Tuesday through Saturday. We introduced different pricing based on the seat in the theater. We have seats starting at $55 for adults and $32 for kids, and it goes up from there.”
She recommends that audiences arrive at the theater approximately 45 minutes before showtime. The production lasts two-and-a-half hours, with one 20-minute intermission. Guests are welcome to remain for a time of prayer after the show if they have any requests. A variety of concessions are available, including the theater’s signature glazed almonds.
“DAVID” makes for a great family getaway, whether for a weekend or a longer stay as Branson activities get into full swing.
“We cannot wait for the debut of `DAVID’ this spring,” said Pamela Yancey, president and CEO of the Branson Chamber of Commerce. “Sight & Sound always creates biblical-based masterpieces for our community and the millions of visitors Branson welcomes each year.”
Those who are unable to make it to Branson also have an opportunity to see the production. Videos of the Pennsylvania production of “DAVID” and other shows are available by pay-per-view or subscription at www.sight-sound.tv.
One of the best things about the show is that everyone can relate to some aspect of David’s life, from his struggles to his ultimate victory.
“We see him fail several times in his life, but through it all, the Lord’s love for him is abundantly clear,” Neal said. “One of the primary messages is that David is a man after God’s own heart. It’s a beautiful redemption story, showing us that through all of the hardships we face in today’s world, the Lord still seeks for us to have a relationship with him.”
Show times and ticket information are available at www.sight-sound.com. The trailer for ‘DAVID” can be seen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fb8wKrOlgNs.
–Alan Goforth
