Branson, Missouri, dubbed the “live music show capital of the world”, is the perfect place to escape the winter blues during January and February and Branson’s 18th Annual Hot Winter Fun Big Show is the perfect event to sample a wide variety of shows and performers jam-packed into one exciting show. Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater will be sizzling on Monday, February 6, at 7:00 pm with an exciting line-up of Branson stars and shows.

The Hot Winter Fun Big Show provides the audience an opportunity to see portions of several shows that are open during the winter months of January, February and March. The Big Show will be emceed by popular Branson entertainer, Bob Leftridge of the Baldknobbers Jamboree. Shows on stage include Legends In Concert, it from the Hughes Brothers Theatre, Doug Gabriel’s #1 Hits Tribute Show, SIX, Joseph Hall’s Tribute to the King, Grand Jubilee, Hamner Barber Variety Show, Take It To The Limit-Eagles Tribute, Comedy Jamboree, Tribute To Marty Robins, Todd Oliver & Friends, Baldknobbers Jamboree, and more.

Tickets for Branson’s 18th Annual Hot Winter Fun Big Show are currently on sale and can be purchased by calling Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater directly at 417-339-3003.

“The Big Show has become a tradition for many visitors who plan their trip to Branson around the event. It’s also something local residents enjoy because they get to see some of their favorite shows and because the proceeds are used to help market the Branson/Lakes Area,” says Jim Barber, President of The League of Branson Theatre Owners & Show Producers (The Branson Show League) and nationally known ventriloquist and co-owner of the Hamner Barber Variety Show and Theater.

“Marketing the months of January, February, and March as Hot Winter Fun started in 1994 as a way to let our guests know they could enjoy the Branson experience year ‘round,” says Cindy Merry, marketing chair for The Branson Show League. “The Hot Winter Fun Big Show was created to raise funds to market Branson. We hope to create funds to allow us to run a good television schedule in one of our target markets, similar to what we did in 2009 where we ran a $300,000 TV ad buy in the Dallas market. It was a cooperative marketing program with the Branson Airport and the Branson/Lakes Area CVB.”

The Branson Show League sponsors the annual Hot Winter Fun Big Show. All of the entertainers donate their performances and many volunteers and local businesses including the News-Leader, KY3.com, Branson Tri-Lakes News, Ozark Mountain Newspaper and others help to market and sponsor the show.

For tickets call 417-339-3003 today. Tickets are $30 plus tax and service charge for adults, $ 9.95 plus tax and service charge for children ages 4 through 12.

About The League of Branson Theatre Owners and Show Producers (The Branson Show League)

The Branson Show League works to increase the success and well-being of the theatrical industry in the “Live Music Show Capital of the World” — Branson, Missouri. With over 100 live shows featuring music, comedy, magic, dancing, acrobats, theatrical plays, and more, the diversity and variety of choices of live shows make Branson a unique and fun-filled family friendly vacation destination. The League strives to increase interest in Branson shows and show attendance, increase profitability for the Branson show community, and to promote communications between the shows and theaters as well as throughout the Branson community.

For more information visit: ShowsInBranson.com

Help promote the show: Download a printable Hello Dolly! poster!

Now in it’s 29th season, the Tri-Lakes Communtiy Theatre is a non-profit 501c3 organization supported solely by donations of patrons and ticket sales of its productions.  It is based upon the principles of Entertainment, Opportunity and Education and has distributed approximately $30 thousand in scholarships for area youth over the last fifteen years.

HELLO, DOLLY! is an ebullient and irresistible story of the joy of living, glittering with happy songs, shining with loving scenes, alive with the personality of one of the most fabulous characters on the musical stage…Dolly Gallagher Levi!

Classic musical numbers include Put On Your Sunday Clothes, Ribbons Down My Back, Before the Parade Passes By, Elegance, It Only Takes A Moment, So Long, Dearie… and the well known classic theme song made famous by Louis Armstrong, Hello Dolly!

The musical is produced by Kim Hale and directed by Trisha Garrison.  Assistant producers are Lisa Murphy and Gail Tilden.  Musical Director is Danielle Ryan with Choreography by Michelle Willadson and Matthew Mattney.

Branson resident Diane Barber is cast in the leading role as Dolly Levi. Diane has an extensive background in musical theater having performed in many regional theaters along the East Coast Circuit including the Bucks County Playhouse, Poconos Playhouse, Bristol Riverside Theatre and the Falmouth Playhouse in Massachusetts.

She studied acting at the Lee Strasberg Institute and the Terri Schreiber Studio as well as vocal performance with Patricia Carey and Bob Marks in New York City. She earned her Bachelors of Music Education in Music Thearapy from the University of Kansas as well as a Masters Degree in Dance Education from Temple University in Philadelphia.

In November and December of each year, Diane performs along with her husband, comedian Jim Barber and illusionist Dave Hamner in the holiday production The Wings of Christmas at the Hamner Barber Theater and is a full-time interior decorator and owner of Interiors by Decorating Den.

In addition to the role of Dolly Levi, there are many enjoyable leading characters in the musical production that are portrayed by very talented actors and singers from around the Branson Tri-Lakes area. These performers include:

Norman Cochran as Horace Vandergelder
Nathan Sutherland as Cornelius Hackl
Michael Phillips as Barnaby Tucker
Brianne McGill as Irene Molloy
Somer Jones as Minnie Fay
Greg Lilley as Ambrose Kemper
Heather Beyer as Ermengarde
Marla Sullivan as Ernestina
Jim Ellis as Rudolph Reisenweber
Trey Hale as Stanley
Paul Gibbs as the Judge
Sean Myers as the Policeman
Corey James as the Clerk and Bandleader, as well as dozens of other actors of all ages playing the townspeople, waiters and chorus.

Special Gala and Silent Auction

New this year is the first annual Tri-Lakes Community Theatre Gala! and Silent Auction to be held on Saturday, February 4th at 5:30pm in the atrium of the Starlite Theatre.  The price for this special Gala! event is $25.00 and includes dinner, entertainment and VIP Seating to the production of “Hello Dolly!” in the main theater at 6:30pm.  Semi-formal to formal attire is suggested for women, with Black Tie optional for men.

Tickets on Sale January 25th

Mark your calendars! Beginning January 25th tickets can be obtained by calling the Starlite Theatre box office at 417-335-4241. Adults are $15 and children $8.

For the Gala! and Silent Auction VIP reservations, call 417-546-0095.

Related Links: Tri-Lakes Community Theatre

The Hamner Barber Theater is offering a special area appreciation rate for Branson residents and/or employees working in Stone and Taney Counties. Starting today through December 11th, area residents can attend the Hamner Barber Variety Show and it’s magical holiday production The Wings of Christmas for just $5.00 (plus tax). This is your last opportunity to see this wonderful show in 2011.

The first half features the best of theaward winning Hamner Barber Variety Show, featuring the incredible magic illusions of The Hamners, as seen on NBC’s “World’s Greatest Magic” and other TV specials.

Co-star Jim Barber will have you rolling in the aisles with his inventive comedy ventriloquism. Jim has been featured on many television programs including, CBS’s “Late Show with David Letterman.”

The first half finale is a magical, multimedia Tribute to American Veterans that will bring the audience to it’s feet in applause while at the same time filling their hearts with pride for our Country.

The second half is pure imagination and whimsical fun.  As the curtain opens on the second half, the audience is transported through the magic of multimedia to an animated world of childhood Christmas memories. The entire cast performs favorite cartoon classics from A Charlie Brown’s Christmas, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and The Grinch Who Stole Christmas. Jim Barber as “The Grinch” is engaging and creative as he dances in and out of a video screen while singing the holiday classic from the film of the same name.

The Hamners rekindle fond memories of early Christmas presents as they magically produce some magical toys that when combined with Dave Hamner’s imagination, become real and bigger than life.

Music is the thread that weaves this production together. Featured are the beautiful vocals of both Dave Hamner and Jim Barber. Also featured is Jim’s talented wife Diane Barber. The Barber’s magically appear and serenade each other with a cleverly revised version of “Baby It’s Cold Outside.” A terrific troupe of singing dancers rounds out the cast.

The spectacular finale will bring you to your feet with applause, featuring our theme song written by T.J. Kuenster especially for this production. T.J. has been the musical conductor for Country Music Hall of Famer, Glen Campbell for over 30 years. He has also written musical scores for many animated feature films including “All Dogs Go To Heaven” and “Rock-A-Doodle”. His original score, “Wings of Christmas” is the perfect piece to conclude this spectacular production.

The entire cast joins Dave Hamner and Jim Barber onstage as a large flock of beautiful birds appear flying to center stage over the heads of the amazed audience. Many folks may not appreciate the intense training that it took for this spectacular fly-in, but they are stunned and delighted at the shear beauty and the power of the experience.

Don’t miss this opportunity to see the Wings of Christmas at the Hamner Barber Theater on Shepherd of the Hills Expressway.

Call the theater box office at 417-334-4363 for best seating and reservations. Area appreciation through December 11th.

With the presentation of $159,785.44 to St. John’s Mercy Hospital-Joplin, Branson Cares for Joplin saw the fulfillment of their original goal to “help our neighbors”. This message was delivered during the live Branson Cares For Joplin Benefit Concert & Telethon sponsored by the League of Branson Theatre Owners & Show Producers (The Branson Show League). At that time it was announced that over $221,000 was pledged to help the Joplin School’s music program and St John’s Mercy Hospital-Joplin.

Jim Barber, Gary Pulsipher, Danny Thomas, Susan Weimer, Cindy Merry, Gene Bicknell

Jim Barber, of the Hamner Barber Variety Theater and President of The Branson Show League said, “To date we’ve raised $223,463.68 and donations are still arriving. Of the monies already collected we’ve distributed $45,000 to the Joplin Band Booster account, $5000 to St Mary’s Catholic Music program, and $1,000 dollars each to Palen Music and Hoover Music for instrument repair (over 300 instruments valued at $100,000 dollars were also donated). This donation today of $159,785.44 to St. John’s Mercy Hospital-Joplin goes to help support Mercy Health keep their over 2,000 workers employed as the hospital is being rebuilt. On behalf of the Branson Community, and the many, many participants in raising and donating these funds, it’s an honor to be able to help our neighbors in Joplin.”

“We are humbled and thankful for this amazing donation of $159,785.44 to our rebuilding efforts,” said Gary Pulsipher, St John’s Mercy Hospital president / CEO. “As we remain committed to keeping all co-workers on the payroll and to investing more than $950 million to rebuild health services in the community, philanthropic support such as this is crucial to help us sustain the ministry.” Barber noted that “there are some monies yet be donated to the All City Music Choir, after that, any remaining funds and pledged donations that continue to arrive will be donated to St John’s. We hope with those additional dollars that this will be the largest gift to-date.” Donations may still be made on-line at JoplinBenefit.com.

The check presentation took place at a special ceremony today in Joplin at the site of the temporary hospital. In his welcoming comments emcee Danny Thomas (who was instrumental in bringing Branson Cares For Joplin together with St. John’s and the Joplin Schools), KOAM-TV president / general manager and St John’s Mercy Hospital board chairman said, “The results of the Branson Cares telethon provides further proof of both the generosity of the Branson entertainers and businesses as well as their popularity with fans across the country. We can’t thank them enough for sharing their incredible talents and going above and beyond to help the people of Joplin.” Barber said, “The entire Branson community helped make this happen. There are so many people and businesses like RFD-TV, Summer Winds Resort, CenturyLink, Gene Bicknell, The Mansion Theatre, and more that we’d like to thank, and while we can’t name all of them in this press release we do want to continually acknowledge the support of so many. In particular we want to thank all of the generous people who responded to our request to “help Joplin now” by donating money and instruments. From performing on stage at the concert to answering phones in the telethon room to helping to collect the pledges, the one constant that we kept seeing was the big hearts that our visitors from across the country have. Frankly it was an amazing experience for us.”

Donations to the Joplin relief effort may be made to:
Branson Cares Joplin Benefit
c/o The League of Branson Theatre Owners and Show Producers
Post Office Box 5083, Branson, Missouri 65615 or by visiting JoplinBenefit.com

New Owner of Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater

BRANSON, MO – (September 21, 2011) – Celebrated tribute artist production ‘Legends in Concert’ announced today that they have signed a multi-year, multi-dimensional agreement with Jim D. Morris, the new owner of the Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater. The new relationship will allow one of the most successful shows in Branson history to enjoy many more years at its current home and state of the art venue.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Jim D. Morris whose name is iconic in the Branson and Springfield communities, and throughout Missouri.” said Jeannie Horton, General Manager for Legends in Concert. “He has a 50 year track record as a distinguished businessman and his name speaks for itself.”

Mr. Morris said he is “excited about the venture and working with the great people who produce Legends in Concert.” He looks forward to completing the re-development of the complex including a new restaurant and other attractions complimenting the Legends in Concert production. Morris added, “Signing a long term agreement to have Legends continue where they have experienced great success will certainly entice other new partners to be a part of this growing complex.”

Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater, the ultimate Branson rock and roll complex, was built in 2006 and boasts 900 seats. It’s innovative design creates an intimate concert space with great sight lines to the stage, cushy comfortable seats with generous leg room, a dance floor, spectacular projection screens, and fascinating memorabilia recalling the historic roots of rock n’ roll and country.

“The theater is a perfect fit for our show and we look forward to continuing to produce and provide family-oriented, value-priced, high quality shows in this fabulous entertainment facility,” said Brian Brigner, chief operating officer for “Legends” producer On Stage Entertainment. “We’ve enjoyed 16 wonderful years operating our production in this community and look forward to many, many more.”

Legends in Concert performs 3pm and 8pm shows 6 days a week, February through December. For tickets, information or current line-up, please call 417-339-3003 or visit legendsinconcert.com.

About Legends in Concert

Celebrating its 28th year, “Legends in Concert” is a live musical celebration featuring the world’s greatest celebrity tribute artists. The product is owned and operated by Las Vegas based On Stage Entertainment, Inc. Widely recognized in the entertainment industry as the originalcelebrity tribute show, “Legends in Concert” has not only performed throughout the United States, but the show has traveled to 15 countries on five continents, entertaining more than 15 million fans. It currently operates numerous fixed-based, touring, limited-term and private engagements of “Legends” throughout the world. In addition to Las Vegas, “Legends” is presented year-round in numerous cities including Myrtle Beach, S.C.; Branson, Mo.; Atlantic City, N.J. , Waikiki, HI and on the high seas onboard the Norwegian EPIC. For more information: www.legendsinconcert.com

About Jim D. Morris

Morris Branson Theatre LLC is wholly owned by Jim D. Morris. He continues to own and operates Morris Oil Company in addition to the Quality Inn and Ramada Inn in Branson and other business throughout Missouri. Mr. Morris is recognized for his many community, charitable and humanitarian achievements.

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Press Release written by: Gary Groman – Branson Tourism Center

Although all Branson visitors are special, from Sep. 12th through the 15th, Branson will be entertaining a very special group of senior citizens who are at last, thanks to the heart and spirit that is Branson, getting the Branson trip they thought had been stolen from them. Over 50 members of the “Funseekers” will be traveling to Branson on a trip that has been planned since 2008, thought gone because a travel agent in Connecticut took their money and then never fulfilled their trip, which is now possible, at no cost to them, because of the Branson entertainers and businesses that came together to make it happen.

On February 23, 2011, a Connecticut Post article entitled “Travel agent headed to jail for defrauding seniors” told the story of 54 senior citizens who had paid a travel agent over $40,000 for a three night trip to Branson, Missouri in 2008. The story focused on the ultimate conviction of the travel agent who stole the “Funseekers” money and his impending jail sentence.

However, over 1,000 miles away, the owners of Branson Tourism Center picked up on this article and were so touched that they spearheaded a community-wide effort to make this group whole. They contacted the reporter who wrote the article and shared their desire to help, and then rallied the town of Branson to join together and replace their stolen trip for free, saying “Heck, they already paid for it once, they shouldn’t have to pay for it again.”

With the overwhelming response, and thanks to the generous hearts of many in the Branson community, the “Funseekers” will arrive in Branson on September 12 to experience Branson, all expenses paid. As far as practicable, everything on their original itinerary, from airfare, to bus service, lodging, shows and most meals is being provided courtesy of the following which are listed in alphabetical order Andy Williams Moon River Grill, Branson Coach, Branson Tourism Center, the Brett Family Show, Jim Stafford Show, McFarlain’s Restaurant, Shoji Tabuchi Show, the Showboat Branson Belle Dinner Show, the Stone Castle Hotel, the Twelve Irish Tenors and the Yakov Smirnoff Show.

Many who live, work or have visited Branson feel that it is truly a special and different place and situations like this illustrate why. Branson is famous for its live shows, attractions, entertainment, shopping and much more, but at its core it’s about how the spirit of its people and businesses meet the needs of others. Branson’s reaction and response to the call to help the “Funseekers” is but one manifestation of that spirit.

For additional information about the “Funseekers” trip to Branson please contact Annette Wood, Director of Group Sales for the Branson Tourism Center at 1-800-268-4014.