St. Joseph News-Press, Mo., Steve Booher column [St. Joseph News-Press, Mo.]

Oct. 07--In the last few months, the Affordable Care Act has become the default villain for many of America's ills. The fight over ObamaCare has led to a federal government shutdown and is threatening to cause the U.S. to default on its debt.

These days, it seems like any time something goes haywire, politicians rush to the microphone to blame ObamaCare.

It may be the perfect foil. Most people -- me included -- don't have a deep understanding of how ObamaCare works, but we've been told for years now that it's evil and socialist and will cause catastrophe, though the exact nature of the calamity seems difficult to pinpoint.

But here's one casualty we didn't see coming.

According to social media, ObamaCare is at least partially to blame for the closing of one of the most treasured, iconic entertainment attractions in Branson, Mo.

Last week, the Shepherd of the Hills play announced it will end its 54-year run this month. According to a press release posted to the theater's Facebook page, "Rising costs in insurance and production, the new health care mandate and declining crowds are to blame."

Really? The new health care mandate?

Those familiar with the classic story know that Dad Howitt, the title character, withstood crushing loneliness, a crisis of faith, the mental anguish of a son committing suicide, the burden of keeping dark family secrets and a surprise attack by Baldknobbers.

Apparently, all this pales in comparison to health care reform.

I suspect declining attendance is the likeliest culprit for the production's woes. No matter the reason, the shuttering of Shepherd of the Hills is cause for sadness. It is one of the original Ozark attractions.

The play is based on a book of the same name by Harold Bell Wright, which was published in 1907. The book was an immediate success, being translated into seven languages and sold millions. It was the subject of four movies, the most famous of which was made in 1941 and starred John Wayne and Harry Carey.

The book's popularity was so immediate that when the Missouri Pacific Railroad completed its White River Line in 1909, tourists streamed off the trains wanting to see "Old Matt's cabin." It didn't take long for Branson to cash in.

Then the play began its run in 1959 and quickly grew to include more than 80 actors and 40 horses. The Baldknobbers burned Old Matt's cabin in every performance. By the 1970s and '80s, crowds averaged around 2,000.

And Shepherd of the Hills was a big deal around town.

Many tourist businesses borrowed their names from characters in the story. A visitor could stay at the Sammy Lane Resort and have a bite to eat in Aunt Mollie's Kitchen.

The announcement of the upcoming season's cast was a newsworthy event. The plum roles were Young Matt and Sammy Lane, the star-crossed lovers who (spoiler alert!) eventually ended up together. The actors that portrayed the two characters received instant notoriety, and townsfolk would stop to chat, shake their hands and even ask for an autograph.

Those days are gone. As with most things, they fade and eventually disappear. You can blame time. People's short attention spans. Slick, lifelike video games. Blu-ray disc players.

And, of course, you can always blame ObamaCare.

Steve Booher's column runs on Monday.

He can be reached

at [email protected].

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