Branson’s Family Friendly Shows

After the Twelve Irish Tenors matinee, women of all ages, including a group of teenage girls and a horde of 60- and 70-year-old grannies, pushed and shoved to meet and hug the dozen hunky singers with the sexy accents and twinkling eyes.

One of my favorites, Tony Orlando, performs an annual salute for veterans in November. Luckily, Orlando, who lives near Branson, will perform a Christmas show during the 2008 holiday season. Orlando is a consummate performer and his Christmas spectacular with Santa is a perfect fit for families.

Beatles Nostalgia

Any time of the year is a good time to see the Liverpool Legends The Ultimate Beatles Experience. The group covers early Beatles songs as well as several solo George Harrison tunes. They crack jokes and encourage audience participation. The highlight was hearing the complicated A Day in the Life live. The four impersonators play all their instruments—along with a keyboardist. If you close your eyes and listen, you really think the Beatles are in front of you. At first, I wondered how cheesy four Beatles impersonators could be—but this show, which attracts a lot of families, is highly entertaining and well produced.

George Harrison’s sister, Lou Harrison, is the brains behind the show. The night I attended, Lou, came out on stage during intermission, talked about the Beatles and took questions. A tuned-out audience member asked Lou what George did these days. “Hopefully playing a harp,” she said. George Harrison died in 2001. Recently, Paul McCartney stayed in Branson as part of his road trip across Route 66. Rumor has it he slipped in to see the Liverpool Legends and meet with Lou Harrison about the future Beatles museum. The museum is scheduled to open in spring 2009.

• The Liverpool Legends is a Beatles tribute band that has made its home in Branson.
• Courtesy of the Liverpool Legends

Not to be Missed

It’s impossible to see every show in Branson. The city boasts more theater seats than New York City’s Broadway district. But it is possible to see three per day, especially on weekends with breakfast and matinee shows. Every show is family friendly because Branson prides itself on family and patriotic values. The holidays bring even more shows including in 2007, the dreamy Christmas surrealism of Manheim Steamroller.

Some shows not to miss:

• Acrobats of China featuring the New Shanghai Circus – All Ages; www.acrobatsofchina.com, 877-21-CHINA
• Andy Williams Moon River Theatre – All Ages (but kids may need to be educated on the legend Andy Williams); www.andywilliams.com, 800-666-6094
• Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater (a throwback to real rock and roll); www.dickclarksabbranson.com, 877-588-1957
• Welk Resort Theatre (features The Tillis Family Reunion with Mel and Pam Tillis and Tony Orlando’s Christmas Celebration); www.sullivanshows.com, 800-734-5515
• Justin Flom’s Magic Parlor (The parlor has secret passageways, music and a break-dancing duck.) www.bransonmagicparlor.com, 888-422-03566
• Twelve Irish Tenors, Spirit of the Dance, and Broadway! The Star-Spangled Celebration (Broadway-quality performances in one theater); www.bransonvarietytheater.com, 888-462-7267
• Showboat Branson Belle (a family lunch or dinner cruise around Table Rock Lake on a paddle wheel boat with entertainment);  www.showboatbransonbelle.com, 800-475-9370

• Comedian and ventriloquist Todd Oliver performs aboard the Showboat Branson Belle with his three co-stars Lucy, Irving, and Elvis.
• Courtesy of the Showboat Branson Belle

Ticket prices depend on the show, theater and time. Many venues in Branson offer a two-for-one deal or throw in a free children’s ticket with an adult purchase. Tickets are also available online.

Some theaters offer lunch or dinner such as Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede and Dinner Theater, the Showboat Belle Theater and Bob Anderson’s show at Club 57 at the Dick Clark American Bandstand Theater. Anderson is one of the country’s premiere impersonators, and he does wicked imitations of Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. and Frank Sinatra. The kids, however, won’t like this one.

Once you attend a show, you’ll want to go to another and another. It becomes an addiction. And frankly, not a bad one.