WISCONSIN DELLS, Wis. -- The people who run the Tommy Bartlett Show are pleading with patrons to give the show a chance this summer season. Despite the temporary loss of Lake Delton, the show is up and running.

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But, like most of Lake Delton, most of the seats at the historic Tommy Bartlett Show sit empty.

"It's a kick in the teeth," said show spokesman Mark Schilling.

It's also a whip in the wallet.

For the past 37 years, Schilling has been a part of the greatest show on H2O, a show run in a theatre that seats 5,500 people.

"We're fighting for our lives trying to keep it going," he said. "If we have 20 cars out there, that means maybe 150 people. I'll be pleasantly surprised."

World-class water skiing used to be the draw. Show-goer Willie Mae Long said it's what she loved best.

"I like to look at the folk on the skis," said Long.

But now, curiosity may be the driving factor behind attendees.

"You know, you hear on the news that Lake Delton was gone," said show-goer Jean Hage. "I said that's impossible. And, here it is, and it looks really weird you know."

"I know were running 10 to 20 percent of what we normally do, that's a huge hit," said Schilling. "I don't know too many businesses that could even survive that. I don't know if we can, I mean this is hard."

Like any Tommy Bartlett production, showmanship is of utmost importance.

Crowds on Sunday weren't disappointed.

"It's still a very entertaining show, even without the water," said show-goer Susan Luehrs.

"Everybody that leaves here is very happy, but getting them to come through the gate without a ski show is a tough sell," said Schilling.

The Tommy Bartlett Show is making a plea to patrons to take a chance and come see the show, while hoping the water will be back next summer.

The show did cut back employee schedules as fewer folks are needed to accommodate the smaller crowds.

Everyone who wanted to keep their job this summer is still working on Bartlett Bay.