Branson's 53 theaters shine with music, dance and drama

10:51 AM CDT on Thursday, June 19, 2008 By DIANA LAMBDIN MEYER / Special Contributor to The Dallas Morning News BRANSON, Mo. – For those who have difficulty making a decision when all the choices seem good, Branson is becoming increasingly complicated. But the mid-America entertainment hot spot is heaven for those who delight in having lots of options, including music, comedy, big production-style theater and a wholesome good time. With 53 theaters offering two or three shows a day, as well as more than a dozen museums, four theme parks, numerous outdoor activities, shopping and restaurants, making a choice could be a challenge. Also Online Cheap flights: Get the latest low fares from DFW Airport and Love Field About 100 shows play here on any given day. To help you decide which to see, here's a primer. We describe shows that will run throughout the summer and in major theaters, independent of theme parks or other venues. Adult ticket prices are quoted. All shows are subject to change. Check before you arrive at www.explorebranson .com to be sure your choice is onstage. When you click on the Live Shows link, you may find additional shows running for a limited engagement that we may not have included. What's new Noah --The Musical plays Tuesday through Saturday until Christmas. The 339,000-square-foot Sight & Sound Theatre, which opened May 23, is the biggest building in Branson. Sight & Sound Theatres, with headquarters in Strasbourg, Pa., has been dubbed the "Christian Broadway," because of the company's high-quality productions of biblical stories. Noah – The Musical, complete with more than 100 live animals and 200 animatronics, plays Tuesday through Saturday until Christmas. Aisle seats afford the best view of the animals as they board the ark. Tickets: $15 to $49. Contact: 1-800-377-1277; www.sight-sound.com. Making his first appearance in Branson in September will be Grammy winner Joe Diffie, whose "John Deere Green" and "If the Devil Danced in Empty Pockets" were No. l hits. He'll be onstage at 8 p.m. at the Yakov Smirnoff Theatre. Mr. Diffie includes the comedy of Paul Harris in his show. Tickets: from $32. Contact: 1-800-728-4546; www.yakov.com. New location Liverpool Legends, a Beatles tribute in its third season, is at the Starlite Theatre. Fifties at the Hop has been playing in Branson for 14 years but only now has landed its own theater by the same name. Located in the Shoppes at Branson Meadows on Gretna Road, the new setting includes an expanded refreshment area and lobby that's almost as entertaining as the show inside. Look for additional room to dance in the aisles and a surprise rebel without a cause. Tickets: from $29.50. Contact: 1-800-434-5412; www.50satthehop.com. Liverpool Legends, a critically praised Beatles tribute in its third season, is in a new location, at the Starlite Theatre. Be in your seats 15 minutes before showtime to see news film from the Fab Four's U.S. tours. Louise Harrison, elder sister of George Harrison, is on hand to answer questions, and showgoers dance in the aisles. Tickets: from $30. Contact: 417-337-9333; www.liverpoollegends.com. New acts Welk Resort The Rankin Brothers, who are from Trophy Club, are playing at the Welk Resort Theatre. View larger More photos Photo store The Rankin Brothers, who are from Trophy Club, have realized one of their career goals by landing a full-time gig in Branson at the Welk Resort Theatre. Their musical revue of everything from Neil Diamond to Buddy Holly to George Strait keeps hands clapping and toes tapping, just as when Matt and Mark Rankin played at the Garland Theatre. The suit Mark wears during the Elvis numbers was reputedly designed for the King himself. Tickets: $29.50. Contact: 1-800-505-9355; www.welkbranson.com. The Roy Rogers-Dale Evans Happy Trails Theater adds the duo's grandson to the lineup. Dustin Roy Rogers, who has served as general manager of the theater and museum since it opened five seasons ago, moves to the stage with his father and the High Riders. In addition to a couple of duets with his father and a solo of "Night Rider's Lament," Dustin shares memories of his grandparents. Tickets: show, $27; museum, $13; combo, $38. Contact: 1-866-769-7643; www.royrogers.com. Ann-Margret is joining Andy Williams at the Moon River Theatre through July 26. She first visited Branson with Andy in 2004. This season's show returns the duo to a 1960 screen test for the movie State Fair. Tickets: from $37. Contact: 1-800-666-6094; www.andywilliams.com. Plan lunch or dinner at the adjacent Moon River Grill, which opened in 2007. Andy eats a meal or two there each day, enjoying pot roast and rhubarb shortcake from his mother's recipes. He usually brings a celebrity guest or two to lunch with him. Contact: 417-337-9539. Diana Lambdin Meyer is a freelance writer in Missouri. SHOWS IN SIX GENRES Branson shows, many of which have played for decades, can be divided roughly into six categories. Musical and entertainment styles may overlap. For a detailed list, go to Explorebranson.com or the Web site of each show. POP Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce Six, at the Hughes American Family Theatre, stars six musical brothers. Six at the Hughes American Family Theatre: These six musically inclined brothers were new to Branson in 2007. Contact: 1-877-321-6044; www.sixrealbrothers.com. The Brett Family Morning Show at the Legends Family Theatre. Contact: 1-877-252-7388; www.brettfamily.com. The Haygoods at Haygood Family Theatre at Music City Centre: A Branson staple for 16 years. Contact: 417-339-4663; www.thehaygoods.com. The Duttons at the Dutton Family Theater: a talented family from Salt Lake City. Contact: 417-332-2772; www.theduttons.com. Hughes Brothers at the Hughes American Family Theatre: 35 members of the same family onstage together. Contact: 1-800-422-0076; www.hughes-brothers.com. Magnificent Seven Variety Show at the White House Theatre: Costumes all but steal the show in this high-energy production. Contact: 1-877-487-2386; www.bransonwhitehousetheatre.com. COUNTRY Ricky Boen and Texas Mud at the Hamner Barber Theater: Texas fiddles rule the show. Contact: 1-888-335-2080; www.texasmud.com. Penny Gilley at the RFD TV Theatre: country music and amazing impressions. Contact: 417-332-2282; www.rfdtv.com. Circle B Cowboy Supper at the Circle B Theatre: Stars of the show include barbecue sausage, peach cobbler and championship fiddling. Contact: 1-800-678-6179; www.circlebchuckwagon.com. Clay Cooper's Music Express at the Clay Cooper Theatre: New in 2007, but a whole new cast of entertainment in Clay's own theater. Contact: 1-888-222-8910; www.claycooper.biz. Gatlin Brothers at the Dick Clark American Bandstand Theater: Morning shows only this season. Contact: 1-800-985-3144; www.dickclarksabbranson.com. Mickey Gilley at the Mickey Gilley Theatre: In his 19th year in Branson, Mickey remains one of the most popular shows on the strip. Contact: 1-800-334-1936; www.gilleys.com. The Presleys' Country Jubilee at Presley Theatre: One of the originals, the Presley family still has what it takes. Contact: 417-334-4874; www.presleys.com. ROCK 'N' ROLL #1 Hits of the '60s at the Jim Stafford Theatre: If you think Branson is all about country, hitch a ride on this magic pink bus. Contact: 417-339-1960; www.1hitsofthe60s.com. Red, Hot & Blue at the Music City Centre: From '40s jazz to '70s disco in this energetic show. Contact: 1-800-343-7469; www.hotbransonshows.com. Tony Roi's Elvis Experience at the Music City Centre: He lives the Elvis experience on and off stage. You'll think you're watching the real thing. Contact: 1-866-343-7469; www.hotbransonshows.com. Righteous Brothers' Bill Medley with Paul Revere and the Raiders at Dick Clark American Bandstand Theater. No impersonators on this stage, only the original hit makers. Contact: 1-800-985-3144; www.dickclarksabbranson.com. COMEDY Baldknobbers Jamboree Show at the Baldknobbers Country Music Theatre: The original show that started it all, now in its sixth decade. Contact: 1-800-998-8908; www.baldknobbers.com. Bob Nelson at the Imaginary Theatre: 30 years of professional comedy at work in this show. Contact: 1-888-661-4386; www.bobnelson.com. Jim Stafford at the Jim Stafford Theatre: In his 18th year in Branson, but something new and fresh every show. Contact: 417-335-8080 or www.jimstafford.com. Yakov Smirnoff at the Yakov Smirnoff Theatre: The Cold War is over and the Iron Curtain long gone, but there's still plenty to laugh about with this Russian comedian. Contact: 1-866-559-2568; www.yakov.com. Hamner Barber Variety Show at the Hamner Barber Theater: A little bit of magic and a lot of music make this a worthwhile show. Contact: 1-888-335-2080; www.hamnerbarber.com. The 12 Irish Tenors are on stage at Branson Variety Theater for eight shows a week. View larger More photos Photo store Joey Riley Comedy & Music Review at the Mickey Gilley Theatre: Featuring old country hits and Grand Ole Opry-style comedy. Contact: 1-800-334-1936; www.joeyriley.net. Red at The Mansion theater: A tribute to Red Skelton by Tom Mullica. Contact: 417-239-1333; www.mansiontheatre.com. BIG PRODUCTION Acrobats of China/New Shanghai Circus at the New Shanghai Theatre: Total immersion in another culture. Shows every day through Dec. 20. Contact: 1-877-212-4462; www.acrobatsofchina.com. The Twelve Irish Tenors at Branson Variety Theater: Eight shows throughout the week. Make time to enjoy this upscale performance. Contact: 1-888-462-7267; www.bransonvarietytheater.com. Spirit of the Dance at Branson Variety Theater: An incomparable dance show for a decade in Branson. Contact: 1-888-462-7267; www.bransonvariety theater.com. Broadway at the Branson Variety Theater: Excerpts from some of the best musicals to have originated in New York City. Contact: 1-888-462-7267; www.bransonvarietytheater.com. Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede Show The Shoji Tabuchi Show at the Shoji Tabuchi Theatre: This Japanese fiddle player gives one of the consistently most popular shows. The restroom decor is something to see. Contact: 417-334-7469; www.shoji.com. Justin Flom Magic Show at the Imaginary Theatre: Teenagers in your family may enjoy this hip magician that does more than pull a rabbit out of a hat. Contact: 417-332-1911; www.justinflom.com. Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede Dinner & Show at the Dixie Stampede theater: In addition to fried chicken and corn on the cob, the show includes ostrich races and fireworks. Contact: 1-800-520-5544; www.dixiestampede.com. Celebrate America at The Mansion theater: Walk through American history each afternoon through October, then mornings through December. Contact: 1-866-707-4100; www.themansiontheatre.com. The Promise at The Mansion theater: This Broadway-style production of the life of Jesus runs evening through October, then afternoons through December. Contact: 1-866-707-4100; www.themansiontheatre.com. HOLIDAY SHOWS Each of the theaters and acts adds spectacular holiday performances and decorations that make Branson highly popular throughout November and December. In addition to those shows, other holiday programs scheduled are: Bobby Vinton and the Glenn Miller Orchestra at The Mansion theater. The Osmonds in the Spirit of Christmas at Branson Variety Theater. The Wings of Christmas at Hamner Barber Theater. Tony Orlando and the Lennon Sisters at the Welk Resorts Theatre. NEW AND IMPROVED •Dick Clark's American Bandstand Theater, which opened in 2005, has added a five-acre outdoor events arena, called Area 57, ideal for car and motorcycle shows. Each weekend, Area 57 hosts drive-in movies from the 1950s. Bring a lawn chair or blanket to throw on the ground. Contact: 1-800-985-3144; www.ab57.com. •Titanic Museum, open since 2006, has remodeled the upstairs First Class dining room to incorporate memorabilia from the 1997 blockbuster movie, Titanic, by James Cameron. This includes wardrobe items from Kate Winslet and Kathy Baker, as well as a real diamond and sapphire necklace similar to the "Heart of the Ocean" that appeared in the movie. Tickets: $18. Contact: 1-800-381-7670; www.titanicbranson.com. -- http://www.bransonedge.com http://www.bransonmissouri.blogspot.com