Tribes launching open-air theater

Comedian Charlie Hill surveyed the crowd of tribal members as they listened to five snappy guys in gold shirts and red suits — The Temptations — sing their legendary song "My Girl" at the new Tulalip Amphitheatre.

Hill had been on that same stage a few hours before on Sunday, warming up the crowd with his Native American-themed humor.

Country star Trisha Yearwood will stand on the same stage this weekend, performing at the new 2,300-seat amphitheater. Grammy-winner Yearwood, on the first leg of a national tour, will be the first ticketed attraction to play the outdoor venue when she appears Friday and Saturday.

The amphitheater got a preview Sunday at a show for the tribes that featured comedian Hill, singer Mary Wilson and The Supremes, and Dennis Edwards and The Temptations.

The facility represents the Tulalips' efforts to diversify their entertainment and commercial offerings, which include a casino and retail stores.

"We've always had in mind a destination," said tribal member John McCoy, a state legislator and the general manager of the tribes' Quil Ceda Village business park.

"Tulalip Tribes made the decision ... to diversify as fast as possible because gambling could go away at the stroke of a pen," he said. "We did not want to be caught in a position that if gambling went away, we had nothing."

Built at a cost of more than $2 million, the amphitheater was designed by Ruhl-Parr & Associates of Bellevue, which is working on architectural designs for a hotel in Quil Ceda Village. Colville Tribal Service constructed the Central Plaza, which features walkways, a large lawn, a dining area with food vendors, and a wine and beer garden.

The project has fired imaginations in the tribal community.

"They've come a long way," said Rocky Renecker, 18. "It's right in a good spot, between the mall and the casino, so they're all going to come check it out."

Debra Posey, a tribal board member and the manager of the amphitheatre, will oversee the entertainment. Comic Bill Engvall is the next nationally known performer, confirmed for Sept. 3.

"We hope to be able to have a lot of interest generated, from local talent to national talent," Posey said. "We'd love to have on Saturday puppet shows for kids, face painting. I don't feel we have enough entertainment for children as well as the artists for adults."

Diane Wright: 425-745-7815 or dwright@seattletimes.com