Branson Shows Reviewed

The cast of six vocalists are very good at what they do. The quality of the music is outstanding. The costumes are a little off the wall, but the show is good for people who want to go back in time to the British invasion, peace movement, or the Age of Aquarius. You even get to go to a DRIVE-IN MOVIE with real cars. Most of the songs were #1 hits of the decade of 1960-1969. The band and band leader are very talented and the trivia quiz is very entertaining.

50's At The Hop

This show features music from the decade 1955-1965. Six very accomplished vocalists and the best band in Branson. Marvin Short is one of the best, if not THE BEST SAX player in the country. Darrell Croy's tribute to Jerry Lee Lewis is absolutely one of the best tributes in town. The dancing and singing will knock your sox off. Be prepared to take a wonderful trip down memory lane. Michael Land's vocals is tremendous.

Acrobats Of China

Thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining and a GREAT FOR THE KIDS type of show. It will amaze you as to the positions these young people get themselves into. A very memorable experience for the whole family. A show with tons of action that will keep everyone wide awake.

Baldknobbers Jamboree Show

No list would be complete without one of the ORIGINAL SHOWS in Branson. The Presleys and the Mabes both claim to be the oldest show in the area because of different reasons. My choice is the Mabe's Baldknobbers Jamboree Show. The new generation of Mabes are very talented.

Branson Brothers

The BRANSON BROTHERS HARMONY is back. Dave Ponder joins his brother, Jimmy, and Dee Allen to form the best version of the group that has been around in the last 15 years. It is good to see Dave back. The old showmanship, harmony, and vocals are there again. Diana Ponder is better than ever. Her voice is fresh and clear. This sound man has finally got her mic set right. I have complained for years about the fact I was having trouble hearing her. No more, thank God. You will be thoroughly enjoy the Real return of the Branson Brothers.

Breaking Up Is Hard To Do

If you like musical romantic comedies similar to what is on NEW YORK'S BROADWAY, you will like this show. Let the fantastic cast take you back to 1960 and spend a Labor Day weekend at a Catskill's resort. The six super-stars of this play could soon be calling Broadway their home. It features the songs written by Neil Sedaka and made famous by Sedaka, Connie Francis, Captain & Tennille, and Clay Aiken. This production is a show that you will want to see over and over again. I think it is the best show in Branson. As I am leaving, a desire to return to my seat and see it all over again comes over me.

Brett Family Singers

This is one talented family. Tom is probably the best tenor in Branson. Andrea has written several song and a beautiful patriotic poem, plus a good voice as well. Briahana is not only beautiful, but sings like an angel. Garon can handle a basketball as well as any NBA best ball handler. Brydon has a voice that could be taken for Frank Sinatra. All in all this is one of the BEST MORNING SHOWS in town. Eat breakfast and then see the Brett Family Singers. They will start your day off with class.

Broadway

A huge cast perform both "Spirit Of The Dance" and this show. It takes excerpts from several Broadway plays and gives you a glimpse of why Broadway is considered the best place for musical plays. The fact that the music is canned does not detract from the enjoyability of the show. The cast of dancers make up for that. The PRECISION DANCERS AND VOCALS will show you why this show is money and time well spent.

Clay Cooper Country Express

This show has all that a country music fan wants. It is filled with GREAT COUNTRY SONGS, comedy, and dancing. Clay's family puts on one great show. Clay has been around for 16 years and has entertained thousands. He is continuing that tradition. His voice is like velvet to my ears. I remember him well from "Country Tonite" and "The Texas Gold-minors".

Country Tonite

If you want country all the time, this is the show for you. From the opening number to the finale, it is PURE COUNTRY. The featured male and female vocalists are top notch while singing many of the newer and classic country songs. The band is in good hands with long time Branson musician, Marty Wilhite. I remember many years ago when he was part of the Noblemen and the Wilhite Brothers. I considered him the best male vocalist for many years. The producers should give him more songs to sing. It would be a treat for the audience.

Dalena Ditto

Dalena does everything. This woman is completey versatile and was born to be on the stage. She has the flair of a COMPLETE ENTERTAINER. A massively talented cast is there to back up this awesome lady. Patti Davis is still one of the best ventriloquists I have seen. Dalena is easy on the eyes and food for the ears.

Dolly Pardon's Dixie Stampede

This is a really fun show. There are many acts that include a dozen or so horsemen and women. The flying acrobat is very good. But what makes this show unique is the fact that the CIVIL WAR is fought again every night. The war consists of contests of barrel racing, chicken races, pig races, Ostrich races, horseshoe toss with rather large rings that you will recognize. A pair of customers from each side also have a funny horse race. The meal is great and you will take some food home, the meal is so large.

Doug Gabriel

Branson's MOST AWARDED Male vocalist and his family entertain you with spellbinding tunes that will tickle your ears and delight your eyes. His son holds the world's record for most drum beats in a minute. You have to see Doug play his Mufftar made from a 1968 Thunderbirds muffler. This show is one of Branson's best morning shows. Worth getting up early to see.

The Duttons

NBC's 2007 AMERICA'S GOT TALENT TOP TEN FINALISTS. They earned the distinction of being one of the finalists. Country, classical, pop, gospel and any other type of music you want to hear is in this show. They perform nightly. The Duttons are another talented family performing in Branson. Amy Dutton is a real violin virtuoso. She can play the fire out of the violin. Your mouth will be wide open and your ears will be treated to the best violinist in Branson, bar none.

The Haygoods

Seven brothers and one sister put on one fantastic show. The brothers will send you on a musical journey with their HIGH-OCTANE show. They will take your breath away with their electrifying music ability and fantastic showmanship. Definitely the top choice for families with teenagers or those who are young or just young at heart. A must see. They take the music of the 50's and 60's plus some R & B and give it a modern, youthful twist. That means everybody will enjoy this show. You can be a witness to the famed Haygood exercise program. You can see why they are all thin.

Hamner Barber Variety Show

Here is another show that will delight the young. It consists of BIRDS, MAGIC, AND VENTRILOQUISM. It is a thoroughly enjoying show for the whole family. The Hamners entertain you with their magic feats and birds while Barber will entertain you with his different type of ventriloquism. Jim Barber portrays the Dummy.

The Hughes Brothers Family Show

Five sons that have provided us with the WORLD'S LARGEST PERFORMING FAMILY sing, dance and play instruments. They perform country, classic rock, pop, Broadway and self penned tunes that will totally mesmerize you from the beginning to the end. The talented children round off the enjoyment. The kids are becoming as good as their Dads. Definitely worth seeing. Eat lunch before or after the show at their Deli or the restaurant next door.

Island Fire (with Buffet)

A dozen or so cast members introduce you to the SOUTH PACIFIC ISLANDS through music and dance. The fire dance is stunningly breathtaking. Included in the cast is the beautiful 2007 Miss Samoa. Very good lunch or dinner buffet is included in the ticket price. The best bargain in town for a meal and a show.

Liverpool Legends

If you loved the Beatles, than this show is the Ultimate Beatles show. From beginning to the end this show brings the FAB FOUR back to life. You will swear you are seeing the original Beatles. They are that good. George Harrison's sister put this show together and has done an excellent job. All their big hits are performed on stage extremely well. The first half is the early 60"s and the second half is the psychedelic time of our lives.

Legends In Concert

This show features tributes of fine LEGENDARY ENTERTAINERS Performed live on stage. The current stars are: TINA TURNER with all of the energy and the fantastic vocals of the real Tina. LIZA MINNELLI will take you back a few years and relive her academy award winning performance in Cabaret. GARTH BROOKS is truly good and worth seeing. ELVIS PRESLEY is in his youthful days before the jump suits. This performer is a very handsome man and has alot of fans that see him, at least, every week. Then there are the BLUES BROTHERS. They are good and play a good tribute, if you like the Blues Brothers.

Magnificent 7 Variety Show

A group of vocalists and dancers that deserve to be seen and heard by everybody. The headliners are the married couple, Tamra Holden and Joe Tinoco. They perform music from the 40's till the present extremely well. There are almost 300 costume changes by the cast of 11 to delight your eyes. You can eat a meal before the show for an additional $9.95. It is the BEST MEAL WITH A SHOW in Branson. I pay the regular price of $16.95 a few times a year because it is so delicious.

Million Dollar Piano (David Lomoscola)

David Lomoscola is a PIANO VIRTUOSO. He plays many pop tunes and movie themes and one or two classical numbers that are recognizable. He has a talented man who simulates a complete orchestra playing with him. Any piano student would be thrilled to see this show. He even had one child out of the audience and gave him an entertaining piano lesson. Very personable and entertaining. His $600,000 piano is worth seeing. A truly delightful show presented with much class.

Pierce Arrow

Jared Daugherty is probably Branson's best comic, when Paul Harris is not in town. The show has a lot of comedy. The music is about 50% gospel and 50% country. The beat is up-tempo from beginning to end. There are numerous instances of great THEATRICAL PRODUCTION. Gospel Dove winner, Kim Boyce is a featured female vocalist. If you haven't seen them in a couple of years, you should go this year.

The Platters

There is only one member of this group that can claim to be with the group for decades, but that doesn't stop this show from being wonderful. The MOTOWN HARMONY AND SOUND that these entertainers accomplish is stunning. The female member is exceptional and does most of the hits made famous by the ladies of the 60's.

The Promise

The best spiritual show in the area. What this show has in music and talent far out weigh the production value of "Noah, The Musical". If I were to choose a spiritual show, this one would be my choice over and over again. The CRUCIFIXION SCENE is worth the price of admission.

Rankin Brothers

Two brothers who bring back the GREAT DUO ACTS of the 50's through the 80's. Their voices blend fantastically together. They bring great tributes of the Everly and Righteous Brothers, Buddy Holly, and even Elvis to the stage. Probably the best tributes in town. Kris Spencer, one of the female back-up singers, is really good. This show brings back wonderful memories of my youth.

Red, Hot, and Blue

This show takes you on a musical journey through decades from the 1920's to the 2000's. The 50's and 60's are my favorite parts of the show. Jeremy Rabe is memorable as the MC and Seymour in a tune from "Little Shop Of Horrors". You can also see Jeremy in his award winning performance of "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do" in the evenings. The other VOCALISTS ARE EXCELLENT also. Ryan Walton has one of the best voices in Branson. Stephanie Haygood lives up to her last name solidifying the first family of entertainment, The Haygoods, for 20 years. Only negative comment, I would do away with the 20's and 30's.

Roy Rogers, Jr.

Take a trip back to the western heydays of TV. Dusty, Roy Jr., is equal, if not better, than the voice of his father. But what sets this show apart form the other western musical shows in town are the stories Roy Jr., Dusty, tells about ROY ROGERS AND DALE EVANS and his real mother. Take time to see the museum. Give it over an hour to enjoy the articles and displays.

Shoji Tabuchi

A large production show that is worth seeing. The entire cast is very talented. Shoji is a talented violinist and one of the 10 BEST VIOLINISTS IN BRANSON after the Duttons and the Haygoods. The vocalists are very good and talented. Get your tickets early, they tend to sell out.

Showboat Branson Belle

A good show on the boat. The only problem with the show is you spend the whole time in a darkened theater/restaurant eating dinner and seeing a show. You do have some minutes at intermission and at the end of the cruise to be on deck sight-seeing. The TABLE ROCK LAKE CRUISE is enjoyable but should be longer. You cannot cancel a reservation for any reason, even health. Make sure you can go on the day for which you purchased the tickets.

S I X

Six real brothers, each one with an outstanding voice. They use no instruments except the human voice. But you will never know it. You will begin to look for the band in the middle of the first song. This is a PHENOMENAL ENERGETIC SHOW. DON"T be afraid about there not being a band because you will soon be a huge fan of SIX. Voted best new show of 2007 and should be named the best show of 2008. You will see and hear why. Don't miss this show.

Spirit Of The Dance

This show has most of the same cast as "Broadway" playing at this same theater. The Dancers continue the precision that they perform in "Broadway". This show has all dance with about 3 vocals during the show. The dance numbers prove that the cast is a group of very ACCOMPLISHED DANCERS. If you love to watch precision dance then this is your show.

Tony Roi's Elvis Experience

One of the BEST ELVIS IMPERSONATORS in the country. He takes you on a tour of Elvis's musical life from the movies to the decorated jump suits. Tony puts on a great show and anyone who loves Elvis should see Tony's version of the Super-Star.

Twelve Irish Tenors

Twelve handsome men that will provide EYE CANDY FOR THE LADIES. Their voices will astonish you while being completely entertained. They sing a variety of music including pop, Broadway, and four Irish songs. A thoroughly entertaining show worth seeing over and over. I have.

All Shows are reviewed by Gary R. Wackerly of Wildcat Wackerly Sales. All awards and commentaries are decided and awarded by Gary R. Wackerly. Wildcat Wackerly Sales has no affiliation with any show, company, City of Branson, or any Chamber of Commerce.