Whether it happens sooner or later, gambling is the end-all in Branson. It will happen some day as a last ditch effort. Someone will push for it and it will slowly build steam. Don't get me wrong--I hate this idea, but it's going to happen someday.
They need to sell the CC area, but they won't. They should turn the whole area into a very large outdoor theatre where they can bring in BIG acts and maybe have a BIG music festival every year. I also like what Runner said about turning it into an aquarium. If done right (and by right I mean BIG like the aquarium in Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo) it will definitely get people through the turnstyles.
I'm not sure what can save these smaller theaters. The problem is that all these shows basically (I know there are minor differences) follow the same act as the Baldknobbers Jubilee, etc. Sing some songs, play some fiddles, put a yokel hillbilly out there to tell some jokes, have some kids play fiddles, sing some gospel, have a sing-a-long, and show's over. That formula is used too much.
I'm not sure if this has been done before, but why not try to get some Broadway shows, or Broadway-style shows? I bet that if someone had the capital and the guts to invest in hiring writers to come up with a musical that is themed to the area (hillbilly's, the west, history, etc.) it would really take off. Now this would be different than the SOTH. That is an outdoor theater that uses local actors and is an adaptation of a book. What I'm talking about is a real Broadway-style musical with all the glitz, glamour, and talent. It would sell out every night and then some, and could lead to more.
But maybe I'm wrong in all of this. Maybe it's been tried before, or maybe it wouldn't work. But the same old shows with different names thing isn't working.
