Texas, the perennial summer musical pageant in the state of the same name, will end its 34th seasonal return engagement, Aug. 21. The large-scale entertainment opened on its home stage, the Pioneer Amphitheatre in the nation's second largest canyon, Palo Duro Canyon State Park, on June 9.

According to a box office spokesperson, tickets are scarce but still available (via waiting list) for the Aug. 20 and 21 performances.

As in years past, some 80 cast members enact the story of ranchers, farmers, and Indians as they battle each other and the elements for the land in the Texas panhandle during the 1880's.

Since the musical debuted in 1966, Paul Green's Texas script has not changed, though the show is constantly being updated with new costumes, special effects, pyrotechnics, and new amphitheatre facilities for people coming to see it again as well as for those seeing Texas for the first time.

Author Green, who died in in 1981, won the 1926-27 Pulitzer Prize for his Broadway drama, In Abraham's Bosom. Texas is produced by the Texas Panhandle Heritage Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization. The Pioneer Amphitheatre was specially designed for the show, with the canyon acting as a natural backdrop. Nearly 3 million people from all over the world have come to see the show since 1966.

To complete their Texas experience, visitors can buy tickets to an authentic pre-show Texas barbecue dinner. For more information or tickets: (806) 655-2181.

-- By David Lefkowitz and Honey Freilich