An American Idol in the 1850s – Jenny Lind – is portrayed at Hawks Nest State Park Dinner Theater Feb. 6

            Johanna Maria Lind, known as Jenny Lind, was Swedish, young, a beauty, and talented.  She took singing in the United States to a different level in 1850. One hundred and sixty years later, when television shows like American Idol continue to change history in staging talent, Hawks Nest State Park re-introduces a character that forever changed music. “Jenny Lind” is a dinner theater play at Hawks Nest on Feb. 6.

            JoAnn Peterson, a Preston County actress of Kingwood, W.Va., portrays the Swedish soprano singer, Jenny Lind, whose successes in Europe reached idol status when she came to the United States in 1850.  Lind is noted for two accomplishments that changed music history: making opera accessible to the mainstream population and legitimizing female stage performances.

            The dinner theater is an in-character living history show with some musical elements. “Our Jenny Lind does sing during the dinner theater but if you’re thinking ‘I don’t like opera,’ not to worry,” says Megan Hash, Hawks Nest event coordinator. “Ms. Peterson includes vocals and dialogue in character.  We’re concentrating on some musical elements, but the evening is more about meeting a female character who helped change music history.”  With Swedish accent, Peterson portrays the character well as a vocalist and actress. 

            Who was this Jenny Lind?  Lind was a renowned dramatic opera star in Europe before and after touring the United States from 1850 to 1852 under the promotion of P.T. Barnum. Barnum had heard of her European successes and believed her talent could be promoted in the U.S.  She was the inspiration for Hans Christian Andersen’s stories The Ugly Duckling, The Angel and The Nightingale. Beds, places, dances, art works, street names and music bear Lind’s name as a result of her musical influences, acquaintances and life. Known as much for her faith and philanthropy as for her voice and acting ability, Lind overcame a difficult childhood to bring respectability to female stage performers, in an age when it was considered an evil profession.

             “It will be a great evening. It is an opportunity to enjoy Hawks Nest and learn about an interesting woman in music’s history from an actress who has researched the character. Our dinner is a great meal and evening,” says Hash. 

            Hawks Nest offers options for dinner and play only and an overnight package.  Overnight packages include dinner for two, the Jenny Lind play, continental breakfast, overnight at Hawks Nest Lodge and gift shop discounts.

            Additional dinner theaters at Hawks Nest State Park this year include: “The Lilly Boys” Bluegrass Evening, Feb. 20; “Stolen Moments” Jazz Performance with W.Va. Symphony Orchestra members, March 6, and “A Tribute to Elvis Presley,” March 20.  For reservations and information about dinner theaters at Hawks Nest State Park, call 304-658-5251 or visit online at www.hawksnestsp.com.