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EUAN KERR: The rain is beating down on the roof of a blue and white big top, which stands at the end of a mile long dirt road outside Bayfield, Wisconsin. It's a depressing kind of day, but Warren Nelson, the guiding force behind the Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua, is happy because he's back in the tent.

WARREN NELSON: I get lit up enough when it's near showtime. But when the flags are flying in a tent show, there's nothing like it to me. Nothing at all.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

Get down to the dock to see what's about.

See who's coming in, who's going out.

Here on the pier--

EUAN KERR: Five years ago, Nelson was asked by the town of Washburn to write a musical to celebrate its centennial. The show was such a success that neighboring Bayfield wanted one too. Success followed success, and local backers asked Nelson if he would like to set up shows on a regular basis.

Nelson had always had a dream of having his own tent show. And in 1986, the Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua was born.

WARREN NELSON: Teddy Roosevelt called Circuit Chautauqua, Tent Chautauqua, the most American thing in America around the turn of the century-- or a little after then. And he was really right because the news-- the political news of the day traveled there, as well as the cultural events.

EUAN KERR: While the Big Top Chautauqua does not travel, it has developed a modern version of the Chautauqua program. There are lecture nights, concert nights, and guest appearances by traveling theater companies. However, the Chautauqua's big attractions are the historical programs with stories of the voyageurs, the timber companies, the Indians and the settlers. Nelson says it takes him and his wife, Betty Ferris, about seven months to research each show.

WARREN NELSON: We're a partnership in researching the town's history through everything from printed material and old newspapers, and the most enjoyable aspect being going into the elders homes of the community and digging through their scrapbooks, and asking all their private questions.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

The sawdust flats. The lumber, lumber everywhere.

Sawdust belongs in the sawmill [? day. ?]

Pushing for--

EUAN KERR: The research also involves finding the 1,000-or-so old photographs, which are made into slides to be shown as the Chautauqua's House orchestra. The lost nation string band plays the songs that Nelson writes. It's not uncommon for locals to recognize relatives and friends. Don Pavel plays guitar at the Chautauqua.

DON PAVEL: People relate to it very well. It's a very nice experience to see them smiling and tapping their feet, and gawking at the screen, and breaking out in laughter, and sometimes crying a little too.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

--lobopodian mayor.

[INAUDIBLE] lobopodian mayor.

[INAUDIBLE].

Does it run [INAUDIBLE]? Does the grand promenade? [INAUDIBLE].

EUAN KERR: While the Chautauqua does advertise its programs, both Nelson and Pavel say their best publicity comes through word of mouth. There were some quiet nights in the early days. But now, regularly crowds of 300 make the trek up the dirt road. Eric Kramer says he has made the trip with his family 10 times this summer alone.

ERIC KRAMER: Our kids have been singing the music over and over again, a cappella for years. And when they sing it or when we play the tapes, we see the slides. You see them on the insides of your eyelids. It's good theater.

EUAN KERR: Nelson is currently working on his fifth Chautauqua show, this time, on the history of the St. Croix River. He says someday he would like to do a show about St. Paul. But in the meantime, Warren Nelson will continue what he does best, writing and singing in Bayfield, Wisconsin at the Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua.

WARREN NELSON: And it comes with that money back guarantee. You give us your $6. If you don't like it, try and get your money back. [LAUGHS]

EUAN KERR: I'm Euan Kerr.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

[INAUDIBLE] that we don't care to dance with the ghosts of old new France on island.

On the rock, on the shores of old La Pointe.

[APPLAUSE]