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General Category => Branson Talk => Topic started by: History Buff on March 23, 2008, 07:59:36 PM

Title: Branson Shows
Post by: History Buff on March 23, 2008, 07:59:36 PM

What do you like?

Do you recommend any shows in particular?

Any disappointments?

Title: Re: Branson Shows
Post by: History Buff on March 23, 2008, 08:17:07 PM

All the shows seem to adopt the same formula:

Start with a howdy.  Sing some twangy country.  Introduce the comedian.  Sing some current country.  Comedian re-enters.

Choice:  some shows do a tribute to music through the decades; others attempt to imitate all the best known singers through the ages.

Then, just before intermission, and the fiddle player plays The Orange Blossum Special, and the spokesman for the group does a sales pitch for their CDs and photos.

Then they all return to the same road, singing a few "gospel" songs.  This time, when the comedian comes out, we get to hear that he can actually sing better than most of the other performers.  Finally, they finish it off with a patriotic tribute and military salute.

Goodbye.  Thanks for comin' to the show.

Title: Re: Branson Shows
Post by: Copper on March 23, 2008, 08:22:54 PM

It’s sad, but that describes 99% of the Branson shows. I liked the Cirque show that was at the Remington, but the Grand Palace people ran them off. Speaking of the Palace I enjoyed Brass Theater back in 97 and 98, indoor marching band doing the Wizard of Oz and West Side Story. I even like when theatres bring big named entertainers to Branson. 

Title: Re: Branson Shows
Post by: Joy on March 23, 2008, 10:04:55 PM

My favorites are Jim Stafford and the Hughes Brothers (whose career I've been following since I first saw them at SDC in '95).

~ "Becky" Joy ~

Title: Re: Branson Shows
Post by: Swoosh on March 24, 2008, 10:18:37 PM

Jim Stafford is a must.
Souji Tabuchi is a good show.
Pam Tillis is an EXCELLENT show.

Title: Re: Branson Shows
Post by: Copper on April 07, 2008, 06:53:58 PM

Ok, I do music sales and promotions at one of the theaters in Branson as a side job and most everyone knows theatre tickets are down while Branson tourism 04’, 05’ 06’, 07’ tourism is up. What do you think the theatres in town could do to attract you to a show or two in town? I do think if at least forty bad shows would close it would help out, but I don’t think you can force shows to close.

Title: Re: Branson Shows
Post by: History Buff on April 07, 2008, 07:48:13 PM

Do you think ticket prices are too high?

It may seem to some people that they are having to pay to see an amateur show at a pro price.

The thing is, I like think the Echo Hollow show is just as good, and I don't have to pay extra to see it.

Title: Re: Branson Shows
Post by: Copper on April 07, 2008, 08:00:28 PM

Yes, I think people are reacting to paying $30 and up for an armature show. Vegas and Broadway shows run from $50 to $150 and even higher on occasion. If you want quality entertainment you have to pay for it, but I see what you are saying about Echo Hollow. Why pay $30 for a show that is equal or less to a show that is free. I think many Branson theatres don’t know anything about running a business.

There are some shows in Branson that are higher budget and are not armature. Shoji Tabuchi has high end costuming and celebrity choreographers. Andy Williams has a large orchestra an amazing light show and a beautiful theatre. Do these things attract people?

Say one of the nicer 2,000 seat theatres would open Wicked, Beauty and the Beast or Moving out, would you go see it? Prices would probably be tiered and run around $30 to $55, but the show would be far from armature.

What entertainers would you pay to see? What type of shows?

Title: Re: Branson Shows
Post by: sdcforever on April 07, 2008, 09:20:42 PM

I really like the shows that feature comedians.  I agree with the earlier posts in this thread:  Jim Stafford is really good and a must.  In the non-comedian category Shoji Tabuchi is good, and I enjoyed Moe Bandy.

In the throwback, old shows that aren't around anymore, I enjoyed Ray Stevens, Mel Tillis, and Bobby Vinton (Mel Tillis and Bobby Vinton come to Branson annually with limited engagements but no longer have their own theaters).

Title: Re: Branson Shows
Post by: Swoosh on April 07, 2008, 09:45:48 PM

The Lawrence Welk Show was always good (my parents watched it on PBS, that's how I knew about it).  The Osmonds, Tony Orlando and Charlie Pride were all really good (but now gone).  Looking forward to the Oak Ridge Boys Theatre.

I did enjoy Yakov the one time I went to see him.  Don't really do the shows much anymore though.

Title: Re: Branson Shows
Post by: sdcforever on April 08, 2008, 09:50:39 AM

I don't do the shows much anymore either, but I forgot about Yakov.  I did see him once and he was a lot of fun!  Charlie Pride was good too; he was nice after the show.  He signed autographs and chatted with us for a few minutes.

Title: Re: Branson Shows
Post by: History Buff on April 08, 2008, 10:04:23 PM

We would definately be interested in a theater that rotated Broadway casts as you mentioned, Copper, but we can always see these in Tulsa, Springfield, or Kansas City, too.

How about the new Noah show?  It looks heavy on special effects.  I wonder if it will be of any real quality.

Title: Re: Branson Shows
Post by: sdcforever on April 09, 2008, 08:45:43 AM

A theater that rotated Broadway casts would be pretty popular, I think.  A couple years ago I saw the Broadway! The Star Spangled Celebration at the Branson Variety Theater and it was good.

As for Noah, it's defnitely an ambitious project.  Hopefully the huge sets and special effects don't overwhelm the story.  We'll have to see what people think after it opens on May 24.

Title: Re: Branson Shows
Post by: sdcforever on April 09, 2008, 08:53:53 AM

Just thinking about Bible-themed shows, The Promise has had a long run and has good reviews.  I almost saw it once.  It's success probably means that Noah will at least have a profitable early run.  Has anyone seen The Promise?  Is it as good as advertised?

Title: Re: Branson Shows
Post by: Coaster on April 09, 2008, 05:18:21 PM

^I have never seen The Promise. That new Noah show looks awesome though!! Where is that going to be located anyways? I haven't heard...or maybe I just didn't look close enough at the display at SDC.

Title: Re: Branson Shows
Post by: Swoosh on April 09, 2008, 09:38:46 PM

NOAH is going in the new Sights and Sounds Theatre on the Red Route up on the bluff by The Mansion theatre.  You can't miss it, it's huge.

Title: Re: Branson Shows
Post by: History Buff on April 09, 2008, 10:02:53 PM

I heard some music from The Promise once.  Once was enough for me.  It just wasn't my style.

Sight and Sound theaters are totally not affiliated with The Promise, though.  The website looks interesting, and they could always rotate some of their other shows in there after everyone sees Noah.  That's what it will take to keep it fresh.

Some of the shows are just getting stale.

Title: Re: Branson Shows
Post by: haytater on May 29, 2008, 05:13:23 PM

I really enjoy Yakov's billboards. I love seeing them on the way into Branson. I've never seen him though. Shepherd of the Hills is great.

Title: Re: Branson Shows
Post by: sdcforever on May 30, 2008, 09:28:24 AM

^I saw Yakov for free once when I was like ten years old (about 15 years ago).  He was funny!  He told a lot of jokes about assimilating into American culture.  I especially remember him doing a standup routine about his confusion regarding our "baby powder" and "baby changing stations".  ;D

Title: Re: Branson Shows
Post by: haytater on June 02, 2008, 12:55:27 PM

^ We've never done the show thing in Branson, mainly just SDC when we go. We always talk about seeing Yakov so this fall we might have to do that. Thanks for the review!

Title: Re: Branson Shows
Post by: marolinesdad on June 07, 2008, 11:15:42 AM

I saw a few shows last week while in Branson.  First of all SIX was one of the best shows I have seen to date.  They were fun, funny and have great voices.  We also say the Balsknobbers.  I think I will always love this show.  Hargas Marcel is just too funny.

Title: Re: Branson Shows
Post by: Coaster on June 15, 2008, 01:57:53 PM

^I have heard that SIX is a really awesome show. I've wanted to see it for awhile now.

Title: Re: Branson Shows
Post by: Copper on June 19, 2008, 02:05:25 AM

I have heard mixed reviews when it comes to the Noah show. Some love it and other said it was alright. I haven’t heard of anyone saying that it was a bad show though. I have seen the Promise, just because I have friends in it. As a musical it is alright. I wouldn’t go see it again. Noah looks amazing and I want to see it.

The positives that people have said:
1. Great sets.
2. Vocals are over all great.
3. Cast is wonderful.
4. Theatre is amazing.

The negatives about Noah that people have told me:
1. The show is too long. (2 ½ hours)
2. The music isn’t that well written.
3. The end is odd because Jesus is suddenly on stage even though the book of Genesis doesn’t mention him being there.

Title: Re: Branson Shows
Post by: Coaster on June 19, 2008, 08:54:29 AM

^That is really weird they'd put Jesus in the end of the play even though Noah takes place in Genesis. Regardless, the first time I saw the mural in the Ozark Marketplace at SDC I've wanted to see the show really bad.

Title: Re: Branson Shows
Post by: betamike on June 19, 2008, 05:12:26 PM

Does anyone know how they pull off the puppetry in this show?  They must employ a ton of people.

Title: Re: Branson Shows
Post by: Zephon on July 06, 2008, 10:00:25 PM

I don't go see many shows in Branson either.  Maybe one every two years or so.  I see enough entertaining out at SDC that it kinda fills me up, if you know what I mean.

I did see The Promise a number of years ago, and as I recall, thought it was a pretty good production.

I also went to see Noah early in June.  I thought it was pretty good also.  Not Broadway caliber acting by any means, but still pretty decent.  The acting and singing are as good as any you'll see on any Branson stage.  A friend of mine complained about the music also, saying it was nothing but singing dialogue.  But, from my perspective, if the music doesn't further the plot, it's pretty useless and out of place.  After all, it's not musical variety, it's musical theatre.  There were some minor technical issues, mostly transitional, that I hope they iron out.  Jesus at the end of the show didn't really bother me, because there was a clean transition.  The Noah family had their celebration at having been safely led through the flood, the rainbow appeared, and the cast then moved off the stage for the transition to the Jesus part.  Also, I see the relationship between Noah and Jesus.  Noah was the "savior" of the human race in a time of judgment just as Jesus will be when he returns.  The "Jesus" part was included by the Christian producers of the show solely and unabashedly to proclaim the message- Make sure you're ready, for as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be when Christ returns.  Yes, that may be offensive to some, but then, the gospel of Jesus always is.

They do have a very large cast and crew.  They have a couple dozen live animals in the show and when the interior of the Ark is revealed at the opening of the second half, it really is pretty impressive.  They use a lot of "animatronics" to make many of the Ark's inhabitants come to life.  I'd say it is well worth the price of admission to see the show at least once.  Traffic can be an issue because of a relatively short turnaround between shows, so if you go, try to get there about an hour before showtime so as to miss most of the traffic headaches.

Title: Re: Branson Shows
Post by: History Buff on July 07, 2008, 08:25:35 PM

I guess I'll break this barrier.  The connection between Noah and Christ is plainly stated in 1 Peter 3:18-21.

Quote

For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him. (1 Peter 3:18-21)

I'm not sure how this is linked in the show, but this is certainly how I would do it.

Title: Re: Branson Shows
Post by: Zephon on July 08, 2008, 12:47:36 AM

Good answer.