BRANSON, Mo. -- There are some major changes among the headline
performers this year in Branson.
The Missouri city is consistently ranked by the American Bus
Association as the No. 1 motorcoach tour destination in the
U.S.
Andy Williams, a favorite of tour groups, sharply reduced his
performances because of a throat problem and will not return to the
stage until Sept. 8. At that time, he will share the spotlight
through Oct. 28 with Glen Campbell. From Nov. 1 to Dec. 9, "The
Andy Williams Christmas Show" will be presented.
Williams' 2,000-seat Moon River Theatre on April 13 became the
venue for "Broadway on Ice." The show runs through Aug. 19 with
guest figure skaters appearing for three-week runs. Nancy Kerrigan
is appearing through May 28.
The cast includes 22 skaters, vocalist Maggie LaMee and pianist
Eric Hamelin.
The St. Louis Bread Co. restaurant will open at Moon River in
June; it serves three meals daily that can be packaged with shows
by operators.
Tony Orlando returns to Branson, performing at the Osmond Family
Theater May 19 and 20, June 12 to 24 and Oct. 23 to 28.
Also at the Osmond Family Theater currently is comedian Philip
Wellford's morning show, featuring juggling; unicycling, and Patty
Davidson, a ventriloquist.
The Osmond venue also plays host to "Flashback," from June 30 to
Aug. 31. This ice show features music from the 1950s and later.
"The Spirit of the Dance" from Ireland will be on stage through
Dec. 16, alternating with the shows of Bobby Vinton at the Bobby
Vinton Theatre. Vinton performs through Dec. 10, except during July
and August.
The "Radio City Christmas Spectacular" at the Grand Palace will
be staged two and three times daily from Nov. 3 to Dec. 16 (except
Mondays).
Also at the Grand Palace is the Biggest Stars concert series
featuring country singers Sammy Kershaw on May 20; Lorrie Morgan on
May 28, July 1, and Sept. 2, and the Oak Ridge Boys on selected
dates between May 18 and Oct. 19.
Other Grand Palace headliners include Jeff Foxworthy, July 29;
George Jones, May 12, June 18, Aug. 5 and Oct. 13, and Charley
Pride, May 17 and 25, June 20 and 30, July 19 and 26, Sept. 12 and
19 and Oct. 4 and 18.
At the Remington Theatre a "disappearing" four-ton elephant is
part of a new variety show, "Magic of the Night."
The Old Time Christmas Festival at Silver Dollar City theme park
is set for Nov. 4 to Dec. 30 (closed on Mondays, Tuesdays and Dec.
24 and 25).
John Knox, destination sales manager for the Branson-Lakes Area
Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau, will
attend Pow Wow in Dallas, starting May 13, with Linda Kloog of the
"Spirit of the Dance," Kim Vance of Ozark Mountain Sightseeing and
Jane Galaher of Jennifer's Americana Theatre.
Knox's message to overseas tour operators will be that Branson
is a "new and exciting destination as the live entertainment
capital of the world -- and it is still one of the best-kept
secrets."
Paula Anglen was named director of sales and tourism development
for the chamber and bureau.
Branson, which is about a 45-minute drive south of Springfield,
has more than 55,000 theater seats; 22,000 rooms; 30,000 restaurant
seats; three lakes, and more than 200 stores.
The Chateau on the Lake has the area's largest convention
space.
However, there are proposals from three different developers to
construct a citywide convention center. Conventions are sought most
for the winter off-season.
Andy Williams Moon River Theater
Phone: (417) 334-1800
Osmond Family Theater
Phone: (417) 336-6100
Bobby Vinton Theatre
Phone: (407) US-BOBBY
Grand Palace and Grand Mansion shows
Phone (800) 884-4536
Radio City show only, (800) 5-PALACE
Remington Theatre
Phone: (417) 336-6220
Silver Dollar City
Phone: (800) 952-6626
Branson-Lakes Area CVB
Phone: (800) 214-3661