Darrell Croy still performs the Jerry Lee Lewis tribute extremely well. Marvin Short still gives the absolutely great performance by the COUNTRY’S BEST SAX PLAYER. The Dream Dates and the Hoppettes still perform some of the best music from the years of 1955 through 1965. But the second half brings a change to the show. The girls are absolutely dressed beautifully. I had to smile many times. The arrangements were new and fresh and really appreciated. Shane’s character of Dracula singing The “Monster Mash Christmas” was my favorite number this year. The girls played zombies and then the fun started. Popular Christmas songs were there in the show but the seldom heard songs are also. It was a delight to hear songs like “What Are You Doing’ New Years Eve”, “Gee Whiz It’s Christmas”, “Merry Christmas Baby”, “Christmas Time”, “Please Come Home For Christmas” and “Santa Baby”. These songs made this show a little different and worth seeing.

     This woman can entertain. This show is for lovers of Classic Country. The all star cast and entertain you from the opening number till the closing song. Larry Allred does several George Strait songs very well. “Tennessee Waltz”, “Cold Cold Heart”, “I Just Wanna Dance With You”, “We’re Not The Jet Set” and many others pleased the audience. She pulls several members out of the audience during the entire concert. Patty Davidson has not lost her ventriloquist talents. I love the Dan and Lucy sequence done in the second half with two audience members, bus drivers. Dalena is the BEST FEMALE ENTERTAINER IN BRANSON. The duet done with her backup singer of Reba’s and Linda Davis’ smash hit, “Does He Love You” was my favorite number in the show. Traditional Christmas songs are sung in the second half and they are good also. Patty returns to the stage in the second half with her character, Christ Mouse. Very entertaining. “The Christmas Prayer” is a beautiful song that I was glad to hear it in the show. She has so many beautiful gowns I was astounded. Her peacock feather gown near the end was my favorite. Great costumes for everyone but Dalena stood out and she should. It is her show. Great for a morning of fun, music and beauty.

     The opening number of the show displays the musical ability of The Duttons. The Mary Poppins segment of the show was my favorite secular medley. Nice scene on “Let’s Go Fly A Kite” and “Step In Time”. Very nicely arranged and choreographed. The use of the children was entertaining and very well done. The first Christmas act was the candlelight number of “Carol of the Bells“. Dressed in choir robes, they sang the song beautifully. “Away In The Manger” and “Silent Night” was done nicely with the real story of Christmas being prevalent. The comic advertising by Jonathan and Benjamin was very entertaining. How does Benjamin do what he does? The Duttons always show their massive talents in their shows, but Christmas is special including the rockin‘ version of Christmas songs. The three nicely costumed daughters sing many Pop Christmas songs with delight. “Frosty The Snowman Rap” again uses the children cleverly. You will get to see BRANSON’S BEST VIOLINIST, AMY DUTTON, in all her glory. My absolutely favorite number is the little childhood Jewish hymn, “Hanukkah’s Child”. The “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town” was very moving. How they did the Santa falling and then putting all of the children in the Santa bag and Mrs. Claus jumping out is puzzling. The Veterans salute was one of the best I have seen in Branson.  This Christmas show is the best Christmas show in Branson.

     This is a total Christmas Show from the beginning to the end. The first half includes the wonderful harmonies of the brothers. The Pop section with the whole family is delightful. “I Believe in Santa’s Cause” is tremendous. Listen to the lyrics. This show will delight you and give you the Christmas Spirit. The second half opens with the cast in choir robes that sing and play the bells. “Carol Of The Bells” was a highlight. But Papa Hughes portrayal of Santa Claus and his story of the COLORS OF CHRISTMASis unique and heartwarming in the second half. He tells us to teach the children about the real meanings of Christmas. You hear what we need to teach our children. Listen for the songs, “Little Lambs” and “Mary Pulled The Shawl About Her Shoulders. Very well done and so great. Papa Hughes sings O Holy Night wonderfully and touching. Which brother will supply the live baby Jesus this year? There were 2 to choose from. The live nativity scene and the whole second half is worth the price of admission.

      This show is a spectacular Christmas show. It does have several non-Christmas songs sprinkled throughout the show. The use of MANY DIFFERENT INSTRUMENTSare used during several numbers. The flute, kettle drums, bongos, xylophone, big cymbal, three different keyboards, grand piano, drums, bagpipes and the lovely Harp. Danny Boy and the Irish segment is a hit. The costumes during the whole show are very neat. Doug and the girls are accomplished dancers and show it several times. Second half opens to a classical segment. They are dressed in formals and tuxes and perform several numbers. No show is like this in all of Branson. They do several Christmas songs in the bluegrass way. “We Will Go On” is the best number in the show and should be released as a video. The tribute to the USA and the Veterans is wonderful and meaning. All 27 flags that have flown over our country are displayed and used during the patriotic section. A nice arrangement of “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” and “Joy To The World” rounds out a tremendous show.

      This show consists of two of Branson’s best entertainers. Mark can pay tribute to Roy Orbison, Elvis Presley, Neil Diamond, Bill Medley, Sam Cooke, Bobby Vee, Ricky Nelson, and of course the Everly Brothers with his brother Matt. Matt does a great Bobby Hatfield on “Unchained Melody”. They sound so much like the Everly Brothers and the Righteous Brothers it is almost scary. Matt does a “right on” version of Buddy Holly. He even looks like him. “Maybe Baby”, “Peggy Sue”, and “That’ll Be The Day” brought the house down. I felt that I was seeing the old acts again when they were young. Mark’s version of “O Holy Night” will give Papa Hughes and Briahana Brett a fight to be the best in town. Their version of the “Lion Sleeps Tonight” is the best I have ever heard. They did it better than the Tokens. The version of Conway Twitty’s “ It’s Only Make Believe” shows off HIS RICH VOICE THAT GRABS YOU BY THE EARSand drags you to pure pleasure. The medleys sung by the three girls called the Rankinettes add a lot to the show. They are very talented. Very enjoyable addition to the concert. This show has it all and should be seen by any and every visitor.

       The first half is the best of their regular show used in 2008, which won the BRANSON’S BEST SHOW OF THE YEAR.They do many 50-60’s and Motown that are wonderful. The best number in the show is “Unchained Melody” by Curtis. I will admit that it is one of my favorite songs. Lynn does Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons so well you will think you have traveled to New Jersey. The Beach Boys segment is my favorite segment especially with Kokomo. I wish they would record that on their next album, the whole song. A human bell choir of the six brothers do “Carol Of The Bells”. It is so good. They did my favorite “Six” song. “Love Times Ten” which is about their Mother who has passed away at a young age. The performance is very touching and spectacular. “Little Drummer Boy” is really beautifully sung by the group. The ending number “Silent Night’ ends the show with a lot of class. This show should be seen this year.

     The dancing and choreography of the Spirit Of Christmas cast is very good and enjoyable to watch. I do wish the chorus would sing live. However the Osmonds and Babette Young make up for it in spades. Babette Young was the best part of the show. Anytime Babette was on the stage I was entertained and pleased. She really has a fantastic voice. She is probably the best female voice this season. JIMMY’S AND BABETTE’S LOVE BALLADSwere really amazing. The Osmond Brothers singing their hits and other brother’s hits was really neat. Jay Osmond played the drums on “Little Drummer Boy” and did it well. His drum solo was nice also. The singing of “Through The Years” spliced between the videos of the Osmonds growing up was right on. “Mary Did You Know” by Jimmy Osmond was a highlight in the show with fantastic lighting. My favorite of the show was the closing numbers with Babette and the girls dressed in blue. Two of the girl cast sang live and I was glad to see that. The final song is “White Christmas” with the dancing cast dressed in white and gold Vegas style outfits.

       On November 10, 2008, I was in the audience when the power went out. The boys stopped singing but the loud speakers continued to play music. The music and some of the chorus voices are canned. After about 10 minutes with an empty stage a group, and eventually all, came back on stage and helped the crowd sing Christmas Carols. They eventually did about 6-8 numbers that they would have performed had there been power. They took of their jackets so we could see them in their white shirts and people held flashlights on them so we could see them better. These boys can really sing. I suggest the producers of the show allow these boys to sing one number completely unplugged. Everyone heard the 12 Irish Tenors throughout the theater. I consider myself lucky to have heard the 12 Irish Tenors completely unplug and unlighted.