North Dakota entertainment legend Bill Sorensen, also known as 'Mr. Medora,' dies at 76

MEDORA, N.D. — A North Dakota entertainment legend known as Mr. Medora has died. William H. Bill Sorensen of Bismarck passed away Saturday, Oct. 31, his family told The Forum. He was 76 years old. Sorensen was known for his ability to entertain large crowds. Over five decades, he performed in more than 1,000 shows, including North Dakota s famous Medora Musical at the Burning Hills Amphitheatre, according to the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation. Producer Bill Sorensen plays to the crowd during a stop on the 2021 traveling Medora Christmas show. Contributed Billed as The Greatest Show in the West, the musical attracts more than 100,000 visitors each year to the Badlands in western North Dakota. Sorensen co-hosted the summer show from 2013 through 2019. Known for weaving kindness, humor and magic into his performances, Sorensen epitomized North Dakota values while connecting with his audience, Foundation President and CEO Clarence Sitter said. Sitter