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2009 Branson National Star Show Reviews
All shows are listed alphabetically. Any comments that you would like to make, may be emailed to me at WildcatWackerly@yahoo.com . All of your comments will be read only by me and will receive a response from me directly.
Bambi-Princess Of Magic Music City Centre
June 8, 2009 / June 15, 2009
She is the reigning Female International Magician of the year and has held that title for 3 consecutive years. She is also the Female International Magician of the Decade. I am going to describe the illusions that you will see at the Bambi-Princess of Magic Show. You have to understand that Bambi has a great personality that is displayed during the entire show. I might describe the illusions with boring details, but is far from being boring. Bambi's ability as an entertainer and comical side comes out during the show. She makes this show an enjoyable experience for the entire family.
1. Magical Entrance: Curtain opens and two dancers appear with flags and dances. A white curtain drops from the ceiling and Bambi is projected on the screen holding balloons. She starts to descend from the screen. This was a very intriguing entrance for an absolutely gorgeous woman.
2. Floating Balloon: Bambi comes out with a balloon and she makes it move from side to side and back and forth over the entire stage with her hands. It was quite amazing.
3. Needle Through A Balloon: Two balloons are brought out on a platter by a young male assistant. She picks one up as well as a 12 inch threaded needle. She breaks the balloon with the needle. She picks up the second balloon and the needle and pushes the threaded needle through the clear balloon including the red thread. When she pulls the thread through, she breaks the balloon with the needle.
4. Twist: The music is Olivia Newton-John's "Physical". The dancers are very good. Bambi is put into a box with her head sticking out in a small box on top. They wind the top box with Bambi's head over and over. They open the door of the large box and Bambi's body is twisted. They closed the door and turn the crank the other way. The door is opened and Bambi steps out.
5. Physical Chamber: A beautiful green and gold cylinder with vertical slits that has faces brushes all the way from top to bottom concealing the inside. A girl is put into the chamber and her arms and head are put through the slits. Out pops the legs and the head, arms, and legs move up and down the slits at all levels. The chamber is opened and she steps out.
6. Grapefruit, Lemon, And an Egg: There is a grapefruit, lemon, and egg on a table. A male assistant brings out a blue covered bird cage. She picks the canary up and puts it in the blue cloth. The canary disappears. She takes the egg and puts in the cloth and it disappears. Then it is the lemons turn, it disappears. The grapefruit is picked up covered with the blue cloth but it doesn't disappear. She tries it again, no luck. She then picks up a knife and cuts the grapefruit and the lemon is inside. She cuts the lemon and the egg is inside. She takes the egg and puts it in the cage and cracks it. The canary appears.
7. Vanishing Feet: Bambi steps into a box with her feet being displayed at the bottom. She makes her right foot disappear and then her left foot. Then both disappear. The audience was stunned when the box was opened and she stepped out.
8. Rising Sun Cubed Box Into Rectangular Box: A cubed box is sitting on a table with a rack of swords attached. Bambi steps to the box and begins taking the box apart and folding it into a rectangular box. When she has constructed the rectangular box she has a girl step into the box and lies down. Then Bambi begins to unfold the box back to the perfect cube that it was. When she finishes, she takes the swords and sticks them completely through each side. Then she pulls the swords out, folds the cube into the rectangular box and the girl steps out.
Cathy Rigby, as Peter Pan, appears on screen with Bambi. They discuss Cathy's new show and demonstrate some card tricks. It was very neat to see Cathy in some of the scenes of her show at the Mansion Theater, Peter Pan. That show is a treat for the whole family.
9. Peter Pan Flying Table and Fairy: There is a small little suitcase and a large glass jar with a small neck on the table. Bambi steps off the stage to a little table covered with a cloth in front of the stage. She picks up the cloth and the table levitates upward and moves around the area. She asks an audience member to help her and he picks up the other end of the cloth. He looks to see what is under the cloth and there is nothing strange. She sets the table down. She steps back on stage and pulls a handkerchief out of the small suitcase and it flashes a light. The light begins to dance around and then starts to fly all over the stage and out over the audience. It danced around and eventually ended up in the large jar. Bambi put her hand on the top of the jar to capture the fairy.
10. Girl Levitates-Bambi Also Rises: There is a bench that a girl lies upon. Bambi levitates her and her hair hangs down as well as her dress illustrating that there is no bench under the girl. Bambi steps behind and she rises to the girl and then above. The music in this show is fantastic as well as the illusions props. The curtain closes for the first half.
Second Half
1. Choo Choo Boogie: There are train sounds heard in the theater. The curtain goes up and there are Dancers dancing to 40's music. They are on a railroad suitcase carrier. There is a box on the carrier and a box at the corner of the stage with a flower pot type bucket. The dancers construct a tall configuration and out steps Bambi.
2. Bambi Wardrobe: A trunk is on the stage. Bambi and assistants open the box to find three shelves with three beautiful gowns. One gown is a green chiffon, a blue silk, and a lilac silk. They are laid in some clear containers. She takes three bracelets of the same colors as the gowns and an audience member picks the lilac bracelet out of a pouch. That means that the lilac dress is the one chosen. The assistant puts the lilac dress in the empty suitcase and out steps a girl dressed in the gown.
3. Sleight Of Hand Video: A little girl is sitting opposite Bambi. Bambi has taken a paper and folded it and makes it dance on her arm and around. The little girl's eyes are precious. She puts a pen through a quarter. Takes three rings from three different people and links them and then unlinks them. She changes bills from $1 to much higher. The young girl is shown making the paper dance by herself. Bambi gives the girl a rose.
4. Shadow Box: There is an apparatus on the stage and two girls with light bulbs connected to long electrical cords. Bambi steps into the box and places her head in the top area and her body in the hexagon shaped box. The large box is closed and the light bulbs are placed behind to show the shadow of Bambi's head and body. The shadow appears and disappears. Her head is there but no body. They take the lights away, opens up and Bambi steps out.
5. Dream Lover: The wonderful song by Bobby Darin is played while the illusion is begun. Bambi comes out and talks about a chalk board that is hung up above the stage covered by a red velvet cloth. She goes out into the audience and picks a Dream Lover for her dream date. I was hoping she would pick me but I was 50 years to old. She picks a nice young boy to bring on stage. She gets a large ball and has the young man throw the ball out into the audience to a person that catches it. The person is asked where Bambi and her young man are going on their honeymoon. The person says a cruise. Then that person tosses it up and another person catches it. They are asked what their meal was on the honeymoon night. The person says Spaghetti. The ball is thrown again and that person is asked what they did. He said that they danced. That person throws it again and asked how much money they have in their wallet. Five dollars was the answer. Then the boy is asked who did he come with and he tells her that he came with his father, Richard. She lowers the chalk board on written on it is the following: Bambi and Bonner went on a cruise for their honeymoon. Their meal was spaghetti, and then they danced, the whole trip cost $5.00 and Richard paid for it. Very cute illusion and was very amazing.
6. Poultry In Motion: Fred, the duck, is presented along with his girl friend Ginger, the chicken. The music that is playing is Sam Cooke's "A Wonderful World". Bambi takes the duck and puts it in a box and then takes the chicken and puts it into another box. Then she takes the duck out and twists off his head and puts them back into the box. Then she takes the chicken and twists off the head and puts them back into their box. She then carries the duck's head to the chicken box and the chicken head to the duck box and when she takes them out they are the duck and chicken with opposite heads.
7. Torn Paper: Bambi shows the audience a copy of the Branson Daily News and wants us to look at the paper for adds or articles that they can remember. As she tears the paper many times and folds it, she keeps telling us that we are not actually seeing the paper being torn. This is just an illusion and not real. When she unfolds the wad of paper, the paper is intact and it is the same paper that she began to tear.
8. Marie Antoinette: A girl comes out in a bright pink Marie Antoinette wig. She is apparently singing classical music. She steps into a box with her head on top and feet on the bottom. Then she slides the middle out and then squishes the head onto the legs. Bambi takes a light and shows that there is nothing behind. She puts the box back together and the box is opened and she steps out.
9. Fred The Duck: There is a covered cage and a cannon on the stage. Fred, the duck, is brought out and Bambi puts Fred into the cannon. The cannon is fired and then it is taken apart and the parts are taken off the stage. She opens the cage and Fred is there in the covered cage.
10. Captain-The Kangaroo: Bambi brings "Captain, the Kangaroo" out and she introduces the year old kangaroo to the audience. She takes it up and down the audience so the audience can see it and pet the kangaroo.
11. Amazon Rain Forest: Bambi tells of a trip to the Amazon with her husband, Kirby Van Burch. They were told of a Shaman who lived out in the rain forest in a small shack. The curtain opens and the shack is there and the assistants construct the shack. Bambi steps in with a small plexiglas table in front of her that is behind the door with her. Her hands are sticking out of the shack and her head also. A hand held camera shows there is nothing under, in back, or around the shack. Bambi has the door opened and a blob of clay is there. The door is closed and then opened again and the blob of clay is now shaped like a bird. The door is closed again and when it is opened a live beautiful blue and yellow bird is there instead of the clay.
12. An empty bucket is put into an audience members hands. The bucket is examined and the audience member certifies that the bucket is empty. A blue box is on the stage and a duck and other items are pulled out of the box. They are all taken off the stage. The bucket is opened and the duck is in the bucket. Then Bambi shows us how the trick is done. The "Chariots of Fire" theme is played as the cast goes into slow motion. Then a leotard clothed assistant comes out with a big stuffed duck and places it in the bucket. The audience member turns around and in slow motion to return to his seat. Bambi takes the bucket and opens it and there is a real duck there. It was a very comical and perplexing illusion.
13. An audience member is brought up on stage and talks to Kirby on the stage. A box that is made to look like a present is on stage and the card says that it is from Kirby, her husband. Kirby appears on the screen from his theater. He informs Bambi that he has installed a webcam in her theater and he is watching the show from his theater. Bambi leaves the stage to change her outfit. Bill, the audience member, checks the floor and the sides to make sure that it is solid. He swings a golf club around to check the area. The box is opened and there is nothing there. The box is closed and when it is opened again, Bambi is there in a nice short Tux outfit.
I really enjoyed this show and the illusions are very entertaining and wonderful for the children and the entire family. This gives the tourists a chance to see some magic that is very suitable for the entire group of tourists of any age.
Bart Rocket & Taylor Reed 50's At The Hop Theater
May 29, 2009
I am going to describe the illusions that you will see at the Bart Rocket & Taylor Reed Show. You have to understand that both, Bart and Taylor, have great comic personalities that you will witness during the entire show. I might describe the illusions with boring details. This show is far from boring. Bart has an awesome talent for ventriloquism is demonstrated in the second half. They make it enjoyable. This is a very fast paced show so keep your eyes on the action. Bart Rocket & Taylor Reed are very entertaining and professional magicians. When I use the word "shield", I am referring to a cylinder cloth or a large sheet.
The pre-show of Ziggy performing "The Evolution Of Dance" was very entertaining. In the second half you will see little three year old Kadan Rocket try to imitate Ziggy, which is cute and very entertaining.
Bart Rocket
1. Mirror with 2 holes in it. Bart sticks his hands through the mirror. Girls hold shield, they drop it and He walks through the mirror.
2. Two tables close together. The tables are shielded then dropped and a Motor Cycle appears.
3. Bart takes three rings from audience members and puts them in a wine glass. He pulls them out and they are linked together. He then puts them back in and when they are pulled out of the glass again, they are unlinked and given back to the owners.
4. Gwen Bliss dances before Bart enters the stage. They pick up a shield and when they drop it, Mindy Silcox is there. Bart makes Mindy float and he runs a large ring around her body showing that she is not suspended. She is covered and then she disappears.
5. Bart has a table with an egg, lemon, and grapefruit on it. He uses a cloth and makes the egg disappear, then the lemon, then the grapefruit, almost. He cut the lemon and grapefruit and proved that they were real. He is brought a bird cage and Bart takes the egg and puts it into the cage and a parakeet appears.
6. Table is raised. Bart is put into an apparatus and turned around. His feet and head are sticking out. They squish him together and then he climbs out.
7. Bart pours milk into a Branson Daily News. The milk disappears. He tears up the paper and then puts it back together. Then he squeezes the paper and milk comes out.
Taylor Reed
8. Boxes are on stage and the Dancers are dancing. The girls pull up a shield and when they drop it, Taylor Reed is there with handfuls of cards that he doesn't seem to be able to get rid of.
9. "Cowboy" Girls dance in cowgirl outfits. A ladder with a box is brought to the stage. A dancer climbs in and disappears. He drops the faces of the box and she appears.
10. Artist tablet in on stage. Taylor draws a bowling ball. He holds the tablet up and the ball falls from the tablet. He then picks up the ball and rolls it off stage.
11. "Chubby Checker" Taylor has a girl climb in an apparatus. Her feet are stationary in a box and her body is seen by the entire audience. He twists the head in the box around but the body stays stationary.
12. A square box is standing on a table. Taylor constructs a larger rectangular box with parts of the square. Mindy steps in and Taylor closes the lid and then takes it apart to form the square again. He sticks swords into all six sides. Then he pulls the swords out and reconstructs the rectangular box. Mindy appears in a different outfit.
13. He puts two ropes in an open box and pulls them out "Tide" together. He uses bottles of different detergents and makes jokes with them. I thought it was an ingenious skit.
14. A four sided box in which a dog appears. Girls dance in Elvis jumpers. They shield the box and another dog appears.
Bart Rocket
15. Bart pulls a boy out of the audience. They dress him up as a magician. Bart is behind the boy and the boy's arms are hidden. Bart slips his arms through the coat and now the boy has arms again. The boy with Bart's arms does a few tricks with a book. Bart teaches the boy to reach in the bag and pull out a scarf. The boy can't do it. Finally he asks an audience member to help. That person pulls out a scarf. They go back on stage and the boy pulls out a green scarf. It was really comical and entertaining.
16. Bart puts the boy in an open cage and he disappears when they drop the shield. The audience is worried because he took one of the boys from a school group.
Taylor Reed
17. An apparatus is used with two boxes for Mindy and Gwen disappears and then appears in different outfits.
18. He has an audience member think of his favorite star. He chooses Debbie Reynolds and Taylor pulls out a baby picture. He tells the audience that if someone would have picked Michael Jackson then he would have showed the flip side, a black baby. That is funny.
19. The girls dance and pull out a big box. A large sack with a girl in it is place inside the box. They cover the box with a shield. They bring an apparatus in and place it in front. Apparatus is removed. The box is opened and inside the box are Bart and the disappearing boy from the audience. I liked this sequence the best. The young man was very charming and in captivating.
Bart Rocket
20. Gwen brings a flag out. She sits on a throne type apparatus. "You Raise Me Up" is played and she magically begins to rise and a huge American flag appears. This is my favorite American Veteran tribute that I have ever seen.
21. Three year old Kadan Rocket does a performance about the evolution of dance. Kadan steps behind a curtain and shows a little car. The shield goes up and then down and a large version is behind them.
Taylor Reed
22. A glass cabinet is on the stage while the girls are dancing. They shield the chamber and Taylor appears when the drop the shield.
23. A box is on stage and Taylor brings a cloth furry boa out. Then a dog appears the same color as the boa which I thoroughly enjoyed.
24. Taylor brings a young lady up to the stage and shows her the Vanna White pose. A box on wheels rolls itself up to Taylor. He has her sign a disclaimer in case she gets hurt while being sawed in half. she climbs inside the box. Music is played that is relative to what is happening on stage. I really enjoyed the significance. He drops her legs to an angle and we see that the girl is not together anymore. It was very neat using the young audience member.
25. An apparatus in on the stage that has a pyramid type box with a panel hanging on the left side. The girls dance. Mindy dances with Taylor. Taylor gets into the box and covers his mid section with the panel. The girls crawl through his stomach, both girls.
26. "Country Music" A strange apparatus is on the stage and Taylor uses different parts of it. A girl gets in it and she shrinks to about 2 feet high. Country music is being played while the whole illusion is being performed. "Little Bitty" is played while they are shrinking the girl. Taylor sticks his body through the blank space left by her feet being moved up about 3-4 feet.
Bart Rocket talks about Ventriloquism and shows us his very cute dummy. The dummy's name is Willard. He talks about Arkansas many times and they are very comical. He gets into many discussions with the audience and talks about two of our past Presidents with much humor. He mentions all of the people that have been talked about in the show. That was really funny. Willard sings a funny song. This is a great act and very entertaining.
Bart talks about his mugging last September and that he has formed some charities to help people. He has learned that there is more to life than material things and money. All he was worried about during captivity was his children and wife. He tells us of a boy in a children's hospital in Arkansas. He visits him and helps make those wishes come true for children. Bart wants to make it happen for other children in need.
27. Taylor and Bart make a plane appear behind a shield. Very interesting and totally enjoyable the two different magicians make this show. I want to see it again and again.
You will get a chance to be sawed in half by Bart and Taylor for $10.00 donation to the charity, a picture of Bart and Taylor with you and your family for $5.00. You can also take a backstage tour for $5.00. This is a worthy cause and I hope all his audience members donate to his great charity.
www.familyfoundation.us is the site to see about the donations. I heartily support his efforts. I hope you do also.
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Buck Trent Morning Show Grand Country Music Hall
January 11, 2009
They began the show by introducing everyone on stage. That was a nice touch because then you could know the cast as they performed during the show. Bruce Hoffman then played a medley on the fiddle. His fingers flew around the strings. He is really talented. Bruce did a comic routine about breaking his bow and Kari went back stage for a new one, bringing a broom then a plunger and he played the fiddle with each. The fiddle medley ended with the "Orange Blossom Special" Kenny Parrott sang "Ring Of Fire" really well. Buck Trent then played "Somewhere My Love" and did it expertly. It was extremely beautiful. When Kenny joined in with the lead guitar it was memorable moment. He then sang "Hello Darlin" and really showed he can sound like Conway. He followed with "I Can't Stop Loving You" and the segway was flawless. "Last Date" was next and refreshingly played on the guitar. Eventually Jonathan Black joined in with his piano and added a tremendous amount of enjoyment. Bruce added his fiddle for the finishing touches of a great song. "Spanish Eyes" was next with everyone wearing Mexican sombreros. It was a good touch. Kari and Buck did a Porter & Dolly song. They really sound good together. Bruce played "In The Mood" on the steel guitar and it was really great. Not used to hearing that song on the steel, a nice touch. The drummer added a good beat. One of the highlights was Jonathan playing "Tequila" on the Sax. He is very talented. Buck has gathered some of the best entertainers in Branson to be in his show. The medley ended with "Yakety Sax" and I swear Boots Randolph came back. Jonathan opened the second half with a rousing version of "Down Yonder". Kari came out and did Dolly Parton's "Jolene". She really can sing Dolly well. Her phrasing was superb. The part of the show I liked the best was a request section that Kenny announced. I requested "My Woman, My Woman, My Wife" and he did it. They really did do a requested song. The band played some Boogie Woogie and it was wonderful. Their gospel medley was good and featured "This Ole House/Daddy Sang Bass/I'll Fly Away". It was a rousing medley done with much gusto and bounce. The Dueling Banjos part was a good show stopper. It was very comical and neat to see Kenny, Buck and Bruce trying to outperform each other. Bruce ran around the audience and fiddled his way around the auditorium. All in all this is one good show that can start your mornings out with a bang.
Country Tonite W/ Collin Raye Oak Ridge Boys Theater
April 21, 2009
Collin enters the stage and sings "Red Rodeo". It is a good song to begin his part of the concert. Melanie Shore is Collin's addition to the band as the keyboardist. The rest of the band is the Country Tonite Band. They did a remarkable job playing for Collin Raye. His "Little Rock" was touching and sang with emotion and feeling. He has one of the best voices of the last 20 years that has entered the country music field. Collin sang "The Gift". It was a #1 Pop hit for Collin. He does a very beautiful job on that song. He sure hit the high notes with ease. He sang "I Still Feel You". This is a song that needs a great tenor and I am listening to one now. He sings a new song, "I Want To Take Care Of You". His delivery is awesome. I like the high notes in the chorus and the lyrics are great. Melanie handles the harmony with ease. "One Boy, One Girl" was done with much feeling. The audience sings along with him. Since I have boy and girl twins that song is always special to me. He changes pace with "That's My Story". He really can change tempos with ease. Collin then sings the Charlie Chaplin song "Smile" in a melodic way. He sings it soft and melodic. It is an extra special moment. He is one of the best tenors to come out in the last 50 years. Collin sings his new single, "Mid Life Chrysler". It is a great song and I think it will be a hit. It has a nice hook in the lyrics. He says it was written for him and I believe it was. Collin and the song is a perfect fit. He breaks out in song with "Love Me". The audience will know what the song is as the band begins the number. He sings it with crystal clear notes. He has an echo from the audience as he sings the song. He will get a standing Ovation, guaranteed.
The Four Preps w/ The New Chordettes / Stars At Centre Stage Music City Centre Theater
May 9, 2009
The Four Preps entered the stage dressed impeccably in white dinner jackets and black pants. This brought back memories of when music acts wore fantastic outfits when performing. So many of today's acts wear clothes that they could have been working on their cars a few hours ago. The first song is "Rock & Roll Is King" and flowed into "Sh Boom" originally recorded by the Crew-Cuts. They still have the voices to make you think you are back in the early 60's at an American Bandstand taping. They are really great and their voices are as smooth as silk. "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" is a great song originally released by the Tokens. They have a comic side to them. The Chordettes open with "One Fine Day". Candace Delo has the solo while the other girls have tremendous choreography for us to enjoy. The next song is the Poni Tails' "Born To Late". Their harmony is phenomenal. These four ladies are very beautiful even though they have a few years under their belts. Robin Whitmore has a solo part on "Sugartime". They are very faithful to the original song. They flow into "Sincerely" and it is great. The last note is special. They sing "Volare" also very well. These fantastically dressed, beautiful ladies help me remember what it was like in the 50's and 60's. Music acts actually dressed to the nines to perform. Today, the acts wear the same clothes that they had on while working on their car a few hours ago. The class that the 50's and 60's music acts had long ago is missed today by us baby boomers. "You Belong To Me" is the next song and it was just as good as the rest. The group did the huge Chordette's hit, "Lollipop". They sure sound great. We get to make the "pop" for the song. They sing the Andrew Sisters' "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" and do it tremendously well. "Moonglow" is sung with the girls sitting on stools. Candace does a solo part. I have to remember to write this review, I find myself just watching and dreaming instead of writing. "Mr. Sandman" is a wonderful way to end their segment. It was truly one of the best segments of music I have heard in a very long time. The Four Preps came out on the stage singing "Whispering Bells", an old Mills Brothers song. They also have tremendous harmony. They cleverly flow into "Tossin' And Turnin'". I really enjoy this group. They sing the song "Earth Angel". We are told that the Crew-Cuts also sing this song, but I remember that the Penguins sang that song, Oh well. Michael does a solo part in the middle of the song. Then the group does a fantastic medley singing hit songs that should have had different lyrics. It is a hilarious medley. It includes "Standing On The Corner", "Alley Oop", "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes", "Mr. Blue", "Puff The Magic Dragon", "Walk Like A Man", "Surfer Girl", and "Why Must I Be A Teenager In Love". The medley is performed as comical spoof and is truly enjoyable. They finally do "Big Man". I remember as a young teenager singing that song at the top of my lungs while working on the pool at my parents apartment complex. Everybody but my Dad enjoyed my singing. The half ends with "Swing Low" and flows into "Swing Down Sweet Chariot" which will rock the stage. The Chordettes open the second half in beautiful red cocktail dresses. They are absolutely gorgeous. How do they stay so beautiful? The opening song is "Mr. Lee"; I think an old Shepherd Sisters' song. They next sing the Marvellettes song "Please Mr. Postman". Candace does a beautiful job on the song. Judy Duncan sings Lesley Gore's "It's My Party". She really does a fine job. It is so enjoyable to hear the ladies sing the older songs. Robin sings a Shirelles medley which includes, "Dedicated To The One I Love", "Soldier Boy", "Tonight's The Night", and finishes with "Will You Love Me Tomorrow". She does such a great job on this medley that after she was done, I leapt out of my chair in applause. It is a true treasure to your ears. The Four Preps return in fancy vests and sport coats. They sing "At The Hop" very well. They sure have a lot of energy for their age. They look very nice also, but I am partial to the ladies, sorry gentlemen. "You Belong to Me", and the Diamond's "Little Darlin'", is sung by Bob. He was a member of the Diamonds for 20 years. They also sing "Silouetttes". and I enjoyed it very much. The harmony at the end of the song is perfect. A video depicting the old movie "Gidget" is played that starred the wonderful Sandra Dee. The Four Preps were part of the cast and Bruce Belland was able to point out his part in the movie quite well. The video plays while they sing the song "Gidget". They sing "Blue Velvet" without music till the end when the band began playing with the group singing. They sing a huge hit, "Down By The Station" and then the song that started the beach craze, "26 Miles". It is so good hearing the songs that they made famous. The Chordettes join the guys on stage for the final song, "Unchained Melody". What a wonderful show to see. They are some of the best entertainers I have ever seen. Guys, sorry, I enjoyed the girls the most, I wonder why! Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and every other male baby boomer in the audience. Thanks for the wonderful memories and total enjoyment.
Jim Stafford Jim Stafford Theater
March 18, 2009
Jim comes out in a nice blue sequined coat. A picture of two other Jim's on a screen behind the real Jim. Jim goes off the stage and he appears on the screen. Now there are three Jim Stafford’s wearing a red, white, and blue coats. Then the white coated Jim appears on stage and asks the blue coated Jim to pass the guitar to him. And he passed it to the Jim on stage. That number is very enjoyable and clever. That is what makes this show so enjoyable is the well thought out cleverness in the presentation of songs. He comes out to the front of the stage and does his one-liners. He is the best at the one-liners in Branson. I enjoyed the several jokes in this segment. G G, his daughter, plays the grand piano and is very good. The audience accepted G G’s talent and really enjoyed it. In “Spiders and Snakes”, the stage is black lighted and acts out the story of the “Spiders and Snakes”. When Jim sits on the edge of the stage a large snake gobbles him up. That was interesting. Jim then talks about his son and the pants he wears down to his knees. Shay plays the piano very well. If he is not yet, he will be a great pianist in Branson. I could see both of Jim’s children’s hands and they really are talented. Jim talks about his son getting his driver’s license and turns it into comedy. Jim sits on the edge of the stage playing Shenandoah with his harmonica, a man comes up to take his picture and immediately Jim is transported to the other side of the stage. It was hilarious. Laura Heavener comes to the stage and sings “Way Down in Columbia Georgia” very well. I would have liked to hear another one in each half. I was not satisfied. I wondered if she was great, but not enough to make that decision. She can yodel and she received applause in the middle of the song. The two Russian dancers came out and danced as Jim played his guitar. The stage hand, Sunshine, adds comedy to an already comedic show. His performance of “Cow Patty” is very enjoyable. He gets the audience participating. Jim uses the back screen and props to continue the wonderful skits with comedy and music. He throws some cow patties out to the audience. Some a soaked with water. His story about a neighbor’s cat is very good. He opened the second half with Tongue Twisters. G G, Shay, and Jim rotate between telling stories and playing the piano. I like when Jim makes out his list of names that the audience has been called or that people have been called. I like this part of the show and it is usually different, because audience members supply some of them. His stories are always entertaining. Jim introduces the Veterans in the audience and the curtain opens to a live reenacted placement of the flag in World War II. The 3D movie, that Jim introduced, was fantastic and totally enjoyable. You must have the provided glasses to see it 3D. They collect them at the end of the show. Laura does an audience participation song with a man from the audience. She is wearing long black gloves and watch as the man is tricked. She does “Great Balls Of Fire”. I really like her. He continues to tell many stories and one-liners that make this show. Shay plays “Chariots of Fire” and it was very good. He could be a nominee for the “Young Male Entertainer of the Year”. As Shay plays the piano, G G comes out and plays the harp. She might be following in Katherine Haygood’s footsteps. Shay played a little boogie woogie and was good. He sang as he played. Jim can play the guitar well. He played “Malaguena” well as the dancers performed a wonderful dance. The comedy story before the song was great. They got a standing Ovation at the end of the show. This is a good show for people who want a little comedy in their vacation. You will leave with a smile and some snickering.
John Conlee / Stars At Centre Stage Music City Centre Theater
May 11, 2009
John Conlee enters the stage singing "Let The Good Times Roll". His voice still has the power that I remember and it still is one of the most distinguishing voices in country music. A 1983 hit was the nest song, "I'm Only In It For The Love". His lead guitar, Steve Sickler, is very good. "Back Side Of 30" is a very good song and I remember it well. When it was popular, I was there, in my 30's also. "Friday Night Blues" is a tremendous hit and it sure is great at nostalgia. A great rendition with the keyboard, Mickey Gaworecki, plays wonderfully. The next song has a great beat. The background voices are clear and distinct. "She Can't Say That Anymore". "The Carpenter" is the next song with a great message that I thought might be gospel, maybe I am wrong. In 1979 John had a #1 hit with "Lady Lay Down". It is a hit shortly after I was married and I always felt it was talking to me and my wife. He has outstanding voice quality and includes a touch of comedy in the show. He sings his huge hit "I'm Busted". I reached to get my wallet out of my pants and realized that it was not there and I had left it on my desk. I wanted to put $2.00 on the stage. But I couldn't. At the end of the song, John explained that nobody brought any money up as usually happens at his concerts. He donates the money to Feed The Children and the Severly Injured War Veterans. A bucket was brought to the front of the stage and almost everyone made the trip up to put money in the bucket, but me. I was sure glad to hear "Living That Domestic Life". I have noticed that his songs always tell a story worth telling. A video is played for the newer song, "They Also Serve". It is about the families of the serving military. I really love the song and it brought tears to my eyes. "Miss Emily's Picture" is a great hit that also tells a great story. "Old School" is done very well. We always mention George, Waylon, Willie, Merle, Conway, and Johnny Cash as being classic country. But what about John Conlee. He should be mentioned in that group of entertainers. In fact, maybe he should be mentioned first. He is massively talented. "I Don't Remember Loving You" is a nice song with a great hook. The lead guitar, Steve Sechler, is again great. He eventually flows into the next song. John just steps back and lets the band have their time in the spotlight. The bass guitar, Lance Martin, with a beautiful baby blue guitar, plays a wonderful solo. The drums, Gary LaLone, takes over and he is also an extremely entertaining. But the best part was the keyboardist, Mickey Gaworecki. He definitely has a flair for comedy. The 1983 song "I'm Just A Common Man" is finally sung. Again, the great voice does shine. 1978 brought "Rose Colored Glasses" the song that catapulted John into the country music spotlight. He has been a superstar since then. He ends the concert with a wonderful version of "Amazing Grace". He really can sing with all the emotion that he can muster. What a classy way to end a concert while getting a standing ovation. This is a wonderful concert that I will attend next week.
Kirby VanBurch Show Kirby VanBurch Theater
March 31, 2009
I am going to describe the illusions that you will see at the Kirby VanBurch Show. You have to understand that both, Kirby and Bambi, have great personalities that come out during the entire show. I might describe the illusions with boring details. This show is far from boring. Kirby's comical side comes out during the entire show. He makes it enjoyable. Kirby and Bambi VanBurch are very entertaining, professional magicians.
1. Stage had blue and green lights/two dancers/two dancers enter the stage with Bambi/a platform has a ring around it/the ring turns to fire/curtain goes up to shield/Kirby appears.
2. Cage is on the stage/Bambi enters/curtain to shield/tiger appears/another cage/Bambi appears/Bambi is put in a large box/steps into a black bag/Kirby ties the top of the bag shut/curtain to shield box/chains are connected to the box/box is raised above the stage/Kirby steps onto a platform at the other end of the stage/curtain to shield the platform/Bambi appears/Box is lowered and opened/Kirby appears.
3. Red box on left side of stage/blue box on the right/2 girls dressed in red and blue outfits/each girl gets into the appropriate colored box/Kirby separates the two halves of each box/feet showing in one half/heads showing in the other half/assistants rolled around the stage/puts them together with opposite colors/Kirby opens the boxes/2 girls step out wearing top halves and bottom halves a different color.
4. Bambi is on a bench wearing a white outfit/curtain covers her/cover is raised indicating Bambi is under the cover/cover is in mid-air/cover drops to stage/Bambi is gone/a big box is shown/Bambi appears/Bambi reenters the box/a boa constrictor appears/the box is turned around/black leopard appeared.
5. A large square box/girl steps in/Kirby inserts two square metal boards with 5 spikes on it/opens glass and girl is gone/curtain to shield/a leopard appears.
Benjamin Blaque enters the stage with a beautiful female assistant. He is the world crossbow champion. He shoots arrows across the stage at objects that the young lady is holding. He hits a balloon, then a card, a rose, paper only showing the edge of the paper to Benjamin. He shot his crossbow at the three helium filled balloons at different heights. With only one arrow, he is able to cut all of the strings and the balloons float to the ceiling. He stands facing the audience. He places a blindfold over his eyes. His assistant stands at the back of the stage placing a balloon on a board. With only using his assistant’s voice he aims, fires, and hits the balloon.
He then places five crossbows on stage. Each crossbow has a target rigged to the trigger. He carefully places the crossbows aiming each bow to strike the target of an opposite crossbow. The crossbows are designed to crisscross the stage and eventually shot an apple off of Benjamin’s hooded head. He takes his time making sure that he will hit each target. He pulls a string from the last crossbow so he can hear where it is placed. He shoots and the arrows fly across the stage and hit the apple on top of his head.
6. Bambi and a girl curtain to shield a cage/they open the doors/two banners are on the front of each side of the stage/a noise from behind the stage is heard/the stage curtain is closed/an announcement is made that the illusion will be postponed for a few minutes/audience sits in the dark/curtain opens and the illusion begins again/Kirby enters this time and steps into cage/Kirby is handed a banner which he holds up and places on a person apparently/Kirby uses the second banner to cover another person/then he holds up a banner and he disappears/but a person seems to be under the banner and moves to the center of the stage/Branson appears in cage.
7. Kirby talks to the audience/He asks for someone to bring him water/Bambi steps onto the stage with a trey carrying a bottle of water and a glass/Kirby pours the water into the glass/he makes a mess with water everywhere/he apologizes for the mess/takes his hand from the glass/glass remains in mid-air.
8. Kirby was looking for a child to help him with the next illusion/Kirby chose Michael who was sitting next to me/he takes Michael onto the stage/he has fun with the little boy/Michael checks out a panel of solid plate glass mirror/he steps to a large lighted vertical box/he places the mirror into the box behind a clear shield with a rectangular shaped opening/girl appears with a rectangular piece of white paper/tapes the paper over the whole/Kirby steps into box/he sticks his arms out of the paper where the solid mirror had been and steps out/Kirby gave out some nice gifts including a picture that will get him into Kirby's show for life.
9. A girl is placed in a box with a small box on top that covers her head/they move the box to the other side of the stage/move the box from side to side/head was displayed in the box/the little box is moved back/girl steps out of the box with head intact.
10. Bambi is blindfolded after an audience member inspects the blindfold/the audience member actually places the blindfold on Bambi's head/Kirby asks the audience to hold up items for her to identify/she correctly identifies items/a wallet was chosen from the audience and Bambi is able to tell his birth date and items in the wallet/Kirby opens a deck of cards/he picks 6 people to look at one card in the deck/each audience member chooses the 6 cards/Bambi correctly identifies all of them.
11. 3 girls in black coats dressed the same are dancing/Kirby comes out on a cycle/he drives to a cage on the right side of the stage/stops/gets off the cycle/steps to an apparatus and uses curtains to shield/gets back on the cycle and drives the cycle into the cage/the cage is raised/when it is high above the stage/cage comes apart and the cycle disappears/Kirby and the cycle appear in the apparatus.
Second Half
1. Kirby comes out in a tux/table covered with a cloth/cloth is dropped down to shield the bottom shelf of table/he turns around and performs as if the audience was at the back of the stage and we were backstage/there is a vertical box on the right side of the stage/girls turn the box around/Kirby steps in/girls places canes through the box/Kirby gets out of the box/sneaks to the shelf under the table/reads a magazine/has a pizza delivered/someone pushes some canes out of the vertical box/girls push all canes out/box is opened/Kirby steps out/the pizza guy is under the table, not Kirby.
2. Curtains open showing an easel in the center of the stage/girl brings out a square frame with a blank white canvas/Kirby uses a magic marker to draw a girl in a cape/his drawing comes to life as a girl steps out of the picture frame/she dances/she disappears.
3. A King Tut throne is in the center of the stage/two Egyptian banners hung at the back of the stage/a table on the left side/Bambi is covered/Bambi appears in the throne in the center of the stage.
4. 3 tilted plates on a table/a glass bowl filled with water/girls bring colored sand out/Kirby puts a handful of dry red, blue, and yellow sand in the bowl and splashes while mixing the sand into the water/Kirby reaches in the bowl and pulls out handfuls of dry sand and drops each handful of red, blue, and yellow sand on the tilted plates.
5. A stand in the center of the stage/a decorated box/deck of cards/Kirby has a person choose a card and place it in the deck/Kirby places the deck into the box/the cards flew out of the box/Kirby speared the chosen card.
6. 2 girls with Japanese fans dance/table brought out with box/Bambi opens the box and uses pieces of the box to form a large rectangular box/A girl lies down in the box/Bambi folds the pieces back into the original small box/she places a sword through each of the sides/Bambi takes all swords out/Bambi reconstructs the rectangular box/girl steps out.
7. Kirby picks two men out of the audience/He has the men tie Bambi's head and legs with leather/Each man holds the other ends of the leather strap/two boxes were placed over Bambi's body/doors are opened to show Bambi in the box/doors are closed/Kirby takes steel plates and pushes them through the box holding Bambi/Kirby rolls the two halves around/Kirby places them together again/opens up doors to show Bambi there in the box whole/boxes removed from the box holding Bambi/Bambi steps out.
8. Duck is places in a box at the left side of the stage/chicken is placed in the right side/Bambi is handed the duck/she turns the head off/places the head in the chicken's box/twists the head of the chicken/places the chicken head in the duck box/Bambi then brings the birds out and they have opposite heads.
9. Two cylinders/a bottle liquor/a glass/Kirby keeps placing the cylinder over them and more bottles appear/Kirby keeps increasing the amount of bottles on the table/Kirby ties a red ribbon on a liquor bottle but says it is yellow/audience tries to correct the mistake/Kirby then places the cylinder over the red rawboned bottle/he lifts up the cylinder and the ribbon is yellow.
10. Landing lights are turned on/a heliport on the right side of the stage/huge metal frame apparatus/Kirby shields the apparatus/helicopter appears with Bambi inside.
11. Kirby sits on the left side of the stage in front of the curtain/he is playing with a florescent string/Kirby tells of his Grandmother and how he loved spending the summers with her/Kirby breaks the string into pieces/He tells a story about Jesus and his Grandmother/he rolls the string into a little ball and then shows that the string is once again whole/His story was heartwarming and wonderful.
Mickey Gilley Show Mickey Gilley Theater
April 8, 2009
There is a pre-show consisting of the history of the rise of Mickey Gilley as a performer and the bar in Texas, Gilley's. It is interesting to know how things got started with Mickey and how he moved to Branson. Mickey enters the stage and sings a song at the front of the stage. You will hear a good guitar bridge by Gary Meyers. Mickey's voice is still clear and very good. He sings as if he were in his 40's. The band consists of 7 members and plays well as Mickey walks across the stage and shows his fantastic ability to entertain. Mickey sits at the piano and sings one of his number one hits, "Bring It On Home To Me". His back-up singers have been with him for many years. They are very good. He sings four straight number one songs beginning with a "Room Full Of Roses". His voice is clear and fresh. The lighting and background on the stage is professional and well done. The last song of the medley is the rollicking "The Girls Get Prettier At Closing Time". Joey Riley seems to be in an argument with Katie Lynn. He sure plays the steel guitar well. Mickey plays and sings the song "She's Pulling Me Home Again". He sings a good amount of the song, not just little snippets. Mickey then does one of the duets he had with Charly McCain. Katie Lynn did a nice job of filling in for Charly. The song "That's All That Matters To Me" brought back many memories of my wife and me. I guess that is what this show is all about, good memories. Mickey plays a straight man for the comedic antics of Joey Riley. He really is an enjoyable comic. He sang a comedic song "I Don't Have To Put The Seat Down Anymore". It is extremely funny and the audience roared approval. He plays the fiddle also. But those faces he makes that is similar to Stub Meadows of the Baldknobbers. Kaci Bays sang Loretta's part very well on a duet with Mickey. He flowed very easily into "The Wild Side Of Life" and Kaci sang the answer song, "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels". The comedy continues with Joey. Mickey and Kaci end up doing Sonny and Cher's "I Got You Babe". It was very comical and well done. The half ended with a gospel medley. His voice is suited for gospel with that country twang in his voice. The medley consists of "Why Me Lord" and "I'll Fly Away". The second half opens wearing a yellow coat. He sings a good song that had a great sax playing at the bridge. Joey Riley comes out as Little Jimmy Dickens singing "May The Bird Of Paradise". It was very comical and actually a good job singing. "Talk To Me" was the next song that Mickey sings. He sure has a good mellow voice that is suited to hear when you're with the one you love. Mickey sits at the piano and sings "You Don't Own Me". I have always liked Mickey's version over Ray Charles, so I really enjoy the song. He illustrates a great deal of showmanship on this number. Mickey and Joey step to the front of the stage, while the curtain is pulled, and does a little comedy about Mickey playing golf. That skit is very entertaining. Joey returns as Willie Nelson and has another segment of comedy. Mickey joins him on "Mama Don't Let Your Baby's Grow Up To Be Cowboys". Katie Lynn steps forward and sings another song, "Darlin'". They do a medley of songs from the movie "Urban Cowboy" which features the bar in Texas, Gilley's. Kaci joins Katie and they sing another song from the movie. Kaci sings a solo of Anne Murray's song "Could I Have This Dance". She has that smooth husky voice similar to Anne Murray. Mickey sings his version of "Stand By Me". He is very proud of the fact that a contestant on "American Idol" mentioned they were doing Mickey's version. His high notes are still hit and held. He hasn't lost the quality of his voice. "Let's Go Out In A Blaze Of Glory" is an appropriate song to end the show. He had the house lights brought up and the audience continued to applaud. He got a standing ovation that was well deserved. Mickey's fans will be enthralled, and country fans will appreciate this great show.
Moe Bandy Jim Stafford Theater
June 17, 2009
If you get a chance to meet this extremely nice and friendly country music star, you will be extremely impressed with the friendliness and kindness of this star. He enters the stage as the song "Oh Baby" is being performed by his band. He sings the lead in the song. Kari Garrison, female backup singer, is fantastic as the harmonizer with Moe. "Someday Soon" is one of my favorite Moe Bandy songs. He still has that mellow country voice that I enjoyed when we were younger. Mark Evans, bass guitarist, and Mark Boyd, lead guitarist, also sing backup. Kari is so talented on the upper range of her register. "You Haven't Heard the Last of Me" is sung while he moves around the audience and shakes hands with a good many members of the audience. He has a flair for comedy and is able to tell some jokes with class. Harley Worthit, Perry Edenburn, has comedy skits throughout the show and delivers them with ease. I have seen him for many years, but some of this material is totally new. But Moe's reaction to his skits is priceless. He knows how to be a good straight man. "The Biggest Airport in the World" is next and is a good song with a neat story. Kari Garrison sings "Those Memories" in which she shows her powerful voice that I knew was there. She has great intonation and power on those high notes. Ricky Boen, fiddle, has a fiddle solo at the bridge as does John Clark on the steel guitar. Ricky Boen is one of the best, in not the best, fiddle artists in Branson. Moe enters the stage with an acoustic guitar and sings his first number one hit, "Bandy the Rodeo Clown". A co-written song by Joe Stampley is sung next "Hey Joe". Mark Boyd has a good guitar solo. Kari knows how to handle the microphone. She knows when to pull the mic away or move her head. She is a professional with a great voice. Harley has another comedy skit. Artists are offered many songs to record and they end up turning down some future big hits. Moe Bandy sings a medley of songs that he had turned down and let someone else record them. "If You're Gonna Play in Texas", "Amarillo by Morning", "Does Ft Worth ever Cross Your Mind", "All My Ex's Live in Texas", and "He Stopped Loving Her Today" were the songs that he had turned down. He made a comment about feeling sorry for George Strait so he turned the songs down so George would have something to sing and help his career. It is very comical and entertaining. "The Picture in a Frame" is the next song and recognized by the audience. Moe stopped the music and took questions from the audience of things they wanted to know. He told us about his children and the fact that he will celebrate his first wedding anniversary on June 28, 2009. Moe sings a song from his new gospel album "Songs My Mama Sang". The song "Peace in the Valley" is the song that Moe selected. Kari adds so much to the quality of the music. Ed Synan, pianist, plays a solo at the bridge. Moe sings a medley of people that recorded for the same record label as Moe, the Columbia Record Label. He sings Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire" then moves onto Marty Robbins' "Devil Woman". He really sounds like Marty Robbins. The next artist is Freddy Fender with the great "Before the Next Teardrop Falls". He sings it in Spanish and really has the grasp of the Spanish language. Kari sings backup as Moe is singing in Spanish. Kari also sings Spanish "Taco Bell", "Chimichanga", and "Burrito", and "Chiquita". George Jones song "White Lightning" is the last song of the first half. The medley is absolutely great. Kari Garrison opens the second half with "Driving Nails in My Coffin". The upbeat song was perfect for an opening number and the bands solo parts were stupendous at the bridge. "Rodeo Romeo" is sung while a video is played with Moe's brother, Mike Bandy, riding and being thrown from bulls at rodeos. Moe sings "Tell I Ain't Here to Get on Home". Joe and Moe wrote it from an incident in a bar. The next song is a nice love song "Fall a Few Starts Short of the Moon". The lead guitar has a solo at the bridge which is fantastic. Harley Worthit is ON today, the audience went hysterical with laughter. Moe bursts into song with "Hank Williams You Wrote My Life". I enjoyed Moe's vocal as well as Kari's backup. The steel, John Clark, plays a tremendous solo at the bridge. Mark Evans and Moe sing the duet "Good Ole Boys". Moe sang with Kari on his song that he and Becky Hobbs on "Lets Get over Them Together". Moe sings "Come a Little Bit Closer" with Perry Edenburn as the senorita. It is one of the better skits that I have seen Perry do in the last 20 years. As I said before, Perry has stepped up his routine with new material. Then a band member, as Jose, came out and caused problems. This is a comical story based on the song. The Americana Band plays some while Moe leaves the stage. Ricky Boen shows why he is one of my favorite fiddle artists in the area. Mark plays the lead guitar extremely well on the second song with Ricky. The steel, John Clark, plays well while Ricky is playing the fiddle. The bass guitar, Mark Evans, played on the numbers well also. Twin fiddles of Ricky and Mark Evans was truly enjoyable. Moe steps to the front of the stage and tells us he is going to sing "Too Old to Die Young" and "Americana" so what other songs would we like to hear. People start to yell out titles and he does sing the requests. "Cheatin' Situation" and sings it so well as does Kari. The song is handled as a duet. He tells a very good joke about a wrong number. He breaks out into song with "Too Old to Die Young". I really like this song and he sings it so well. I absolutely love his mellow voice. "Americana" is the final song and is his great signature song. The keyboard, Ed Synan, is played as if it were a string orchestra. The rendition is absolutely beautiful. He ends the show with a tribute to the veterans and their spouses. This show is very good and is a must for true country music fans.
Oak Ridge Boys Oak Ridge Boys Theater
April 24, 2009
The Oaks entered the stage one at a time singing "The Boys Are Back". They still have their good voices and they definitely have their tremendous stage presence. "One In A Million" was the second number and it proved that they still have their harmony and good blends. Their solo ability was again shown as each boy took a solo part. The segway into "Come On In" was flawless. Joe Bonsall talks to the audience about what to expect in tonights show and their tour that they are beginning. The next number was "American Made" which sounds like the record that they made. The next song is "Heaven's A Small Town" with it's lyrics telling a familar story. William Lee Golden is the main vocalist on that song. They show a video of "It's hard To Be Cool In A Mini-van". Duane Allen has the solo in the next song, "Sail Away". Richard Sterben had the solo part on "Dream On". It is really nice to the the Oaks in person. The last time I saw them they shared a bill in Las Vegas with the great Brenda Lee. The group really supports each other on the solos. The professional bond is unmistakeable and is felt throughout the theater. The next song shows the fantastic blend that these men have on the song, "Late Night Benediction". William Lee Golden has the solo with the next song, "Frisco Silver Dollar Line". The lyrics seem to talk about the local area. They followed with "Never Have I Known", "Baton Rouge", "They Used To Be Superman", and "Shake It Baby". The last song in the half is "Touch A Hand, Make A Friend" with William Lee singing the solo. Harmony and blending is demonstrated well in this number. The boys come out in different outfits. The stage is lighted very bright and you can see clearly every thing that happens on stage. I had no trouble taking my notes because of the lighting. They open the second half with "Jesus Is Coming Soon" which proves that they can sing a gospel song with much heart. William Lee sings one verse of "Troubling Mind" and Joe Bonsall sings one also. William Lee sings a new song named "Beautiful Bluebird". The lyrics are very touching and I think it might become a hit if radio gives it a chance. Joe Bonsall sang another new song "Hold You In My Arms". The new song "7 Nation Army" was very interesting and made me contemplate the world a little. "Mama's Table" written by Jaime Johnson is the next song sung by the group. Duane sings the solo and it makes you remember your life at home with your parents. "Thank God For Kids" is sung by William Lee Golden on the first verse. This song is a great song with the lyrics meaning so much. On "Elvira" the entire audience sang the song with the Oaks. They will cheer when Richard sings "Papa Ooh Mow Mow". A standing Ovation was given and then the boys ended the concert with "Bobby Sue". You will leave very entertained.
Peter Pan W/Cathy Rigby The Mansion Theater
May 24, 2009
The show opens in the children's bedroom with the three Darling children playing, one riding a big sheep dog named Nana, Clark Roberts. Mother, Kim Crosby, tells the Father, Robert Westenberg, that a boy was coming into the children's room and a mysterious light. She shows Peter Pan's shadow to Father. Then she sings "Tender Shepherd" and the children join in the singing. The cast has some beautiful voices and suited for their parts throughout the play. The children finally lay down and slumber invades their thoughts. Peter Pan, Cathy Rigby, flies into the room spreading fairy dust. Wendy, Doran Schmidt, wakes and helps Peter attach his shadow. Peter Pan sings "I Gotta Crow". She sings while doing acrobatics. Peter finds Tinker Bell that he accidently shut up in the drawer where his shadow was. Peter sings "Neverland". The next song is spectacular. "I'm flying" is sung while Peter is teaching the children how to fly. The children and Peter are flying all around the room while Peter is spreading fairy dust. The house rolls away and you see clouds and a pirate ship off in the distance. The children and Peter Pan fly off to Neverland. The lost boys are discussing Peter Pan when the pirates appear and scare the boys away. Captain Hook, Robert Westenberg, and the pirates discover the chimney of the lost boys' house which is below them. The mushroom he sat on was the top of the chimney and he burned his buns. Hook and the pirates sing and dance "Pirate March". The choreography is exceptional during the entire production. The crocodile chases Hook and the pirates away for the first time. Tiger Lily, Chole Leatherwood, appears and the lost boys leave. Tiger Lily and the Indians dance. The tug of war between the pirates and the lost boys is very nice. Tootles, Matthew Matney, shoots Wendy with an arrow after Tinker Bell appears. Peter sings "Wendy". The boys including Slightly Soiled, Austin Michael, asks Wendy to be their Mother and Wendy agrees, if Peter becomes their father. Peter sings the song "I Won't Grow Up". It is a very nice song. The pirates and Hook perform in front of the curtain that dropped at the end of scene one. When the curtain opens there are two rocks and the pirates appear in a boat with Tiger Lily. Peter Pan saves Tiger Lily and the Indians are very thankful. They had planned to tie her up and she will be drowned when the tide came in. Peter appears and fights with Hook and is injured. The lost boys come out and sing. When the curtain is pulled up again and the boys are playing and working at their house. The Indians come and the boys are afraid. Peter tells them that the Indians are now their friends. They all sing "Ugg-a-Wugg" and dance. Peter and Wendy settle down for a quiet evening and Wendy sings "Distant Melody". The set is extravagant and well lighted. Wendy holds her brothers and they decide it is time to go home. Peter is disappointed but says it is OK with him. The Pirates come and capture the Indians. Wendy wants to hug Peter but can't because no one can touch Peter Pan. The pirates capture Peter Pan and Hook makes some poison. Tinker Bell drinks the poison so Peter can't. The curtain opens to a pirate ship and the boys are all tied up and they are going to walk the plank. Hook, Robert Westenberg, plays an excellent villain. Peter Pan defeats Captain Hook. Peter reprises "I Gotta Crow". The pirates are tied up while the Indians and the boys dance and sing. Mother reprises "Tender Shepherd" in the nursery and the children appear and the Mother and Father are delighted. Wendy asks the Darlings to adopt the lost boys. Many, many years later Peter Pan enters the nursery looking for Wendy. The child sleeping in Wendy's bed is not Wendy. Wendy is a much older lady. She tells Peter that the children are hers and that she is Wendy. Peter gets a little angry because she had promised Peter that she would not grow up and she broke her promise. Then Peter ends up in a good mood and starts the flying with fairy dust out into the audience. The audience loved the scene when she flies above the center section. This is a great show that all children would love to see. The choreography, singing, stunts, and acrobatics are very nice to see. I will recommend this show to anyone. The crocodile, Brent Buechel, is a great event. I like the way that every time the crocodile appears a clock ticks. He swallowed the watch of Captain Hook when the crocodile ate Captain Hooks hand. SEE THIS SHOW.
Country Tonite w/ Restless Heart Oak Ridge Boys Theater
June 23, 2009
The group is back together to the delight of all of their fans. Larry has the solo on the first song "Blue Eyes in Texas". After hearing their first song, I agree, they are back and you will also. The harmony is still wonderful with shades of remarkable. The music is played by the group themselves. So much talent on the stage is hard to NOT notice. The lead guitarist, Greg Jennings, is absolutely awesome. "Nancy's Dreams" is also sung by Larry as the lead vocal. I enjoyed Larry's recordings as a solo artist, but when he sings with Restless Heart they again become Restless Heart. "Say You'll Never Stop Loving Me" is such a beautiful song. The vocals are all so mellow and so well done. The music just flows out of them with such ease. "Hummingbird" is an upbeat song that needs a fantastic band to pull it off, and they are. During the song, Larry Stewart moves to the different members of the band and helps them play their particular. He was especially good on the drums with, John Dietrich. Larry introduces the band in the middle of the song. Paul Greg, bass guitar, tells the audience about his step son in Iraq. David Guiness, put the music to Paul's song and it is absolutely heartwarming. The song is "Home". Listen to the lyrics. You will be moved. David and Paul are the only members of the band that play on the number. John took the lead on "When She Cries". I really like this song. I used to refer this song as the "Echo Song". Greg uses a bar so get the steel sound in their music. They are phenomenal as they sing one of their biggest hits, "I'll Still Be Loving You". The vocals are so. "That Rock Won't Roll" was their first hit and it reached the top, number one. It is still just as good as it was 24 years ago. "Why Does It Have to Be" is one song that I recognized from the first note. It is wonderful to hear all their songs again. The Country Tonite cast comes out and salutes the veterans by singing the Marty Wilhite penned "I Wouldn't Trade America for the World". Restless Heart then came out and joined the cast in singing the chorus and last verse. I want to see them again. I hope they will be back several times next year.
Roy Rogers, Jr. & The High Riders Happy Trails Theater/Museum
May 5, 2009
The show has no intermission so make sure you have your drinks and snacks ready before the show starts. It lasts one hour and 45 minutes and you will enjoy every one of them. The first thing I noticed after I sat down was the fact that every seat has two arm rests for each chair and there is more than an arm's length between each seat. This makes it extremely comfortable to sit in this theater. Even if you sit next to a large person, you are going to be comfortable. Since I am rather large, I appreciated that. Roy opened the show with "Riders In The Sky". His voice is very suited to Country and also Western Music. It is also smooth and a pleasure to listen to. I haven't heard a voice like his since I saw Rex Allen Jr. in so many concerts in my home town of Willcox, Arizona. Kirstien Rennya has the voice that blends with Roy's extremely well. The bass fiddle is very good. After each song, Roy tells a story usually about the upcoming song. That is what makes this show so entertaining. He tells you to listen to the next song because if they sing it right, it should sound like a freight train. It really did. The title is "Way Out There". He was able to use his yodeling talent in the song. Roy will tell the audience about Gabby Hayes and then sing the song, "Don't Fence me In". Gabby played the Wildcat Kelly part in a movie. Kirstien sang with him and it was beautifully done. Roy speaks of his Country Music roots and then sings a wonderful song, "Pretend". It was written for Roy in the 70's. He can sing, Oh yes, he can sing. He also has a tremendous ability to relate to the audience. "Blue Prairie" is sung after a nice introduction by Roy. It was a great rendition of a true Western song. Roy tells the story of the song "El Paso" which was recorded by Marty Robbins and how it ended up on the radio and why the song had a problem. The group performed the song extremely well and I was so glad to hear it. Roy tells why his father always included Spanish lyric songs in his movies. It was interesting and then he sang "Spanish Eyes". He then tells about his father's name change. He was very open about it and gives a wonderful explanation of the story. Dale Evans real name is also revealed. Very interesting stories are told in the concert. He brings out his son, Dustin Roy, and he has a very good voice also. Dusty sings "Put Western Back Into Country Sound", which I believe is a Rex Allen, Jr. hit. I could be wrong, but I think when Rex Jr. released the album it hurt his career. I don't think it would be that way now. Kirstien sang "I've Got A Weakness For Cowboys" with her very entertaining voice. Then they performed "Call of the Canyon", "The Last Of The Silver screen Cowboy" and "San Antonio Rose". Kirstien and Dusty really sing well together. Roy tells a strory of his friend, Michael Martin Murphey. It is very neat to hear all of these stories. The song was beautiful, "Summer Ranges". We are told about the cowboy in the 1800's. The cowboy moved from the mid-west to the west and met the Spanish Vaquero. The Vaquero helped form the lives of the American West cowboy. Roy plays tribute to the American farmer by singing "Golden Harvest". It is a nice song with a wonderful message. He finally sings "the King Of The Cowboys" which is about his father. The show is ended with a tribute to the American Veteran by singing a medley of patriotic songs. The last song sung was, of course, "Happy Trails". All in all, this is a wonderful show. Roy, Jr. has a very good voice and actually has a better voice than his father. You need to lasso this show.
Country Tonite w/
T G Sheppard Oak Ridge Boys Theater
May 19, 2009
The country Tonite band plays for the great star T G Sheppard. He enters the stage looking great and sounding better. He asks everyone to clap along as he sins "Big, Little, Short, or Tall". He got a little upset with me that I wasn't clapping but I had just finished writing part of this review. it is a good opening number. He flowed into "Slow Burner" and it was a great song also. He comes out into the audience and sings to some of the ladies in the front row. "the Last Cheating Waltz" is a former number one for T G and I will tell you that his voice is still so wonderfully smooth, it amazes me. This is what is missing with today's music. We need a T G to be recording and being played on the radio now. His type of music is for lovers. I really like his records and I still have many albums that he signed when he played in Branson twenty years ago. I remember him well. He has a way with a love song that not many people can duplicate. He begins singing another number 1 song entitled "Do You Want To Go To Heaven" and it is great. His voice shows no sign of weakening. He assures me it is because of the clean living that he has had in his life. No smoking, drinking, or drugs were a problem for T G. I am so glad to hear that he has taken care of himself. His appearance is a testimony to what he told me. Marty Wilhite and Michael McAdoo are doing the back-up singing. The next song had a great beat, "There Is Only One You". It is a wonderful song and I remember it vividly. He again has the audience clap, I join in this time. T G starts to sing a Johnny Cash tune with some funny lyrics but stops. He does a comedy skit with Marty and they carried it off very well. He returns to the audience and this time walks to the back of the audience and shakes many hands and fools around with the guests. It was entertaining to watch this masterful entertainer. The song "War is Hell On The Home Front Too" has a message that is very vibrant in today's world as it was when I was young. He really is an awesome vocalist. He announces that the next song was a number 1 rock song and country song. It was "Fooled Around And Fell In Love". That song I remember very vividly also. I feel in love about the time it came out. His voice quality is sorely missed today. It reminds me of some of the Doo Wap songs that were popular when I was young. He tells a story of Conway Twitty and his business adventures with Conway. All were flops, although T G's music was not a flop, thank the Lord. The band is exceptional. "You Feel Good All Over" is a good song for the ladies. He has a flair for some comedy also. The music just flows out so smoothly from this wonderful man. I feel as if I have been given a bowl of the smoothest, creamiest bowl of ice cream and I am enjoying every bite. He is the ice cream and I am enjoying every bite. The keyboardist is very good on several songs. He tells about growing up poor and then buying everything when the money began to flow into his house. Then he lost everything and wrote a huge hit that got his career back on track. He wrote it in the Kitchen while making coffee. The song is "The Best Part Of Waking Up Is Folgers In Your Cup". I remember that but did not realize that T G was the one who wrote or sung it. That song was the answer of a prayer to get his life back on track. The next song is "Party Time, a good upbeat song. Michael has a solo part on the guitar and Gene Mulvaney on the steel guitar. He told the story of meeting Kenny Rogers' father. Marty keeps asking who was Kenny's father was and T G gives a surprise answer. Again his comedy bone is showing. He sings his favorite song that he has ever recorded. "Finally" was done so well and is probably the most remembered of his hits. His greatest number 1 CD is a very good CD and I recommend it for purchase. He will sign it if you want to have him autograph it. The band joins in and creates an anticipated crescendo that was truly remarkable. Bob Nichols came out and the Country Tonite cast enters the stage and salutes the veterans and ends of singing "I Wouldn't Trade America For The World" which was co-written by our own Marty Wilhite. It was a nice way to end the show.
The World Famous Platters Starlite Theater
July 16, 2009
The opening of the show is clever. Two huge pictures of 45's slide across the stage and when they come together and separate again, the Platters appear on the raised stage singing "Only You". Eddie sings the solo and steps down toward the stage. "Twilight Time" is the next song. The harmony is still very good after all these years. There are still two members of this group that was with the original group back in the 60's at the height of their popularity. .
All Shows are reviewed by Gary R. Wackerly of www.BransonShowsReviewed.com. All nominations and commentaries are decided and awarded by Gary R. Wackerly. The final decision on the nominated winners will be decided by a three-five member committee chaired by Gary R. Wackerly. www.BransonShowsReviewed.com has no affiliation with any show, company, City of Branson, or any Chamber of Commerce. |
