CHILLICOTHE - "Tecumseh!" is back.

No, the Shawnee leader did not return from the dead, but the outdoor historical drama sharing his name will soon return for its 33rd year.

The play performed at the Sugarloaf Mountain Amphitheatre near Chillicothe has been seen by 2 million people and attracted the attention of more than 50,000 last year alone, including many locals.

Robert Pleasant, coordinator of the Youth Opportunity Program through the Workforce Development Resource Center, has taken a group of about 20 youth to see the play for the past three years.

"We thought it would be a great educational tool in our program," Pleasant said. "I think there's a lot of great issues in it."

He said the play is a hit with the group every year. Pleasant said some even want to go back, but they try to take a new group each year.

"It's not only entertaining, but educational," Pleasant said.

He said the group does a backstage tour to talk to the actors, who will explain how parts of the production were done.

Ironton resident Jay Zornes goes for the history.

"Initially I went because I was a history major in college," Zornes said. "History has always fascinated me, especially Ohio history."

He has seen the play three or four times since college and said he likes to go every few years. Zornes said it changes every time he sees it because there are different actors.

Overall, Zornes said he thinks the show is great.

"The history is great, the fact that it's based on real events is great and it has great entertainment value," Zornes said.

"Tecumseh!" is the story of the Shawnee leader and his struggle to protect his homelands and family during the expansion of the American Frontier. The play covers the years between 1784 and 1813.

The outdoor set portrays areas from the Kentucky territory up through the Thames River in Ontario, Canada where Tecumseh's last battle took place.

"The show is representative of those decisive and sometimes violent times, which forged our country," said director and producer Marion Waggoner in a written statement.

"The script allows the spectator to judge some of these individual events and people in order to draw their own conclusions as to how we got to where we are today as a nation."

The drama is an adaptation of "The Frontiersmen" by seven time Pulitzer Prize nominee Allan W. Eckert.

The show runs June 10 to Sept. 3 Monday through Saturday.

Tecumseh! Facts

PLAYING DATES:

June 10 through Sept. 3, nightly except Sunday.

The play begins at 8 p.m. and ends at approximately 10:45 p.m.

TICKET PRICES:

Monday through Thursday: adult $16, child $8 (10 & younger);

Friday & Saturday: adult $18, child $9 (10 & younger); Not recommended for children under age 6.

TICKET DISCOUNT / GROUP RATES:

Senior citizens receive 10 percent off every night. Discounts DO NOT apply to bleacher seating or standing room only.

Group Rates:

(25 or more) 10 percent off

available Monday through Thursday.

Group tickets must be paid one week in advance of reserved performance.

RESERVATIONS:

Advance payment required for all performances.

Refunds or exchanges must be made by 6 p.m. on the business day before your scheduled performance date.

For reservations write to:

P.O. Box 73, Chillicothe, Ohio, 45601, call Toll Free (866) 775-0700 or local (740) 775-0700 beginning March 1.

MasterCard, Visa, Discover, and American Express accepted.

Reserve tickets online at www.tecumsehdrama.com.

DIRECTIONS:

TECUMSEH! is performed at the Sugarloaf Mountain Amphitheatre, located at 5968 Marietta Road, Chillicothe, Ohio, 45601.

Watch for brown or green highway signs marked "OUTDOOR DRAMA" which will direct you to the amphitheatre.

BACKSTAGE TOURS:

Backstage tours of the theatre facility are offered at Sugarloaf Mountain. The tours last approximately one hour and include demonstrations of weaponry, stunts, and make-up; explanations regarding communication systems and stage design; and historical information.

Cost: $3.50 adult and $2.50 child (10 & younger).

MUSEUM:

This exhibit is free to patrons.

With the assistance of the Ohio Historical Society, the mini-museum displays prehistoric Indian artifacts from the Scioto Valley.

This display is open from 5 p.m. to 7:45 p.m., Monday through Saturday, during the TECUMSEH! season.

BUFFET DINNER:

The Tecumseh Restaurant Terrace is open from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.

GIFT SHOP:

The Mountain Gallery Gift Shop is located in the Arthur Rolette Memorial Pavilion and features many interesting and unique gifts and souvenirs, including hand crafted Indian jewelry, pottery, T-shirts, books and postcards.

CAMERA POLICY:

Cameras, video and sound recorders are not permitted in the amphitheatre during the performance.

RAIN POLICY:

In the event of inclement weather or acts of God, a "rain hold" will be announced.

If a performance is officially cancelled, rain checks will be honored

INFO: For more information or directions visit www.tecumsehdrama.com or call 1-866-775-0700.