In Tombstone, gunfights usually evoke scenes of corrals, men falling from rooftops and a lonesome dusty road with gunslingers standing under the beating sun.

But that’s not what Jim Ferguson and Terry Najarian had in mind when they created the new Wyatt Earp Theatre, the only indoor gunfight show in Tombstone and the first of its kind since the Bird Cage Theatre 130 years ago.

When you walk inside the small venue a series of rudimentary wooden benches line the rear of the establishment.  A poker table and antiquated bar, only feet away from where the audience sits, are the only stage-sets in the minimalistic but historically accurate scene.

“The theater aspect is what we were going for,” said Najarian. “It’s more of an intimate seating area so that the people who come in can feel like they are almost part of the show because everything is so close.” And the indoor setting makes sense because traditionally many gunfights happened inside saloons.

Since the theater opened Labor Day weekend, the veteran gunslingers have described business as going “very well”.

Najarian attributes the success to his co-workers, an experienced group of gunfighters whom he has worked with for many years. Seven actors make up the theater cast and have been working together for more than eight years through various gun-fighting shows in Tombstone including some in Helldorado Town.

Larry Toto, Wyatt Earp Theatre actor, worked with Najarian prior to the business’ inception and describes the cast as a close-knit family. “Doc (Najarian) really saved our necks by making sure we all got employed.”

Another actor, Bruce Bliss, said since he has started working at the Wyatt Earp Theatre he is financially doing better and earns more money compared to prior employments.

The theater has many features that give the new business some potential staying power. Aside from being indoors, the show is also the only air-conditioned gunfight in Tombstone; perfect to escape the heat. In addition, historical buffs seem to enjoy the fully narrated performance because it is strictly historical with no comedy unlike many of the other shows in town.

Seats have been filling up, too. “We are easily going to make our money back,” said Najarian. “We haven’t even hit the busy season yet.” The group of actors discussed the likelihood of increasing their now three-a-day show schedule to accommodate guests during the tourism peak this fall.

Ferguson and Najarian do more than just act at the Wyatt Earp Theatre though.  The two partnered up about eight months ago to create their business Tombstone Territorial Productions, a live entertainment, commercial and filmmaking company. They have used the theater to film two commercials for the Tombstone Chamber of Commerce.

They are happy with how far they have come and have hope for the future.