Branson News Guide

Welk Resort Theatre 2005 Lineup
Three “seasons” of Larry Gatlin and The Gatlin Brothers with co-stars Pam Tillis and The Lennon Sisters and an 8-month schedule for Darren Romeo, The Voice of Magic and protégé of Siegfried & Roy, lead the Welk Resort Theatre’s entertainment lineup for 2005. A series of limited engagement special events featuring nationally known recording artists will be announced at a later date.

Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers: Three Seasons
For their 5th year in Branson, Larry, Steve and Rudy Gatlin have their first-ever spring dates in addition to their fall shows with Pam Tillis and Christmas shows with The Lennon Sisters. The Gatlins have eight weeks of spring shows scheduled from April 13 to June 3.

“The spring season will be all Gatlin Brothers,” said Joe Sullivan, Executive Producer of Welk-Sullivan Productions. “This will be the season for enjoying the many Gatlin Brothers chart-topping hit songs, their signature gospel and patriotic music plus special music segments that showcase their individual vocal talents and incomparable Gatlin Brothers harmony.”

One of the first-class acts in Country Music, the Gatlin’s have 15 Top-Five hits including their #1 hits All The Gold In California, Houston (Means I’m One Day Closer To You) and I Just Wish You Were Someone I Loved plus Broken Lady, Night Time Magic, I Don’t Wanna Cry and more. They’ve recorded over 27 albums including country music, gospel, Christmas, classics and big band, appeared on more than 75 national television shows and performed at inaugural ceremonies for President George W. Bush.

Country music superstar Pam Tillis will share the stage with The Gatlin Brothers for fall shows in September and October. The Grammy Award-winning trio and CMA Female Vocalist of the Year will perform 36 shows from September 13 to October 22, 2005.

“The response to the pairing of these two headline acts in 2004 has been tremendous,” said Sullivan. “Audiences loved it, groups and tour planners loved it and the entertainers loved it too! “

Pam Tillis has 10 Top-Five hits on the country music charts including her #1 hit Mi Vida Loca plus Maybe It Was Memphis, Shake The Sugar Tree, All The Good Ones Are Gone, In Between Dances and When You Walk In The Room. The daughter of country music legend Mel Tillis, Pam is considered a pioneer for a new breed of female country stars who mixes the best of traditional and contemporary country music. She has three platinum and two gold albums and in 2002 she released the CD It’s All Relative, Tillis Sings Tillis – a tribute to her famous father and his classic songs.

America’s Sweethearts of Song, The Lennon Sisters, will join The Gatlin Brothers for Christmas Shows in November and December. The Gatlins “third season” in 2005 runs from November 2 to December 10. The Lennon Sisters have been the featured performers in The Welk Show at the Welk Resort Theatre in Branson since 1994. In 2005, Kathy, Janet and Mimi Lennon continue to illuminate the Welk Theatre stage with their distinctive Lennon Sisters harmonies.

2005 marks a golden anniversary in the professional careers of both the Gatlin Brothers and the Lennon Sisters. In 1955 the Lennon Sisters made their debut performance on The Lawrence Welk TV Show Christmas Special. In that same year, youngsters Larry (age 6), Steve (age 4) and Rudy (age 2) Gatlin won their first talent contest in Abilene, Texas and began performing professionally.

“The Gatlin Brothers – Lennon Sisters Christmas Show will bring together for the first time two ‘families’ who have been performing since they were young children,” said Sullivan. “All six performers are tremendously talented and have been connecting with audiences around the world for most of their lives.”

The Lennon Sisters charmed audiences for 13 years on “The Lawrence Welk Show,” performed in every major U.S. city, and sang for six United States Presidents – Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Ford, Carter, and Reagan. They made guest appearances on virtually every variety show on television, ranging from “The Mickey Mouse Club” to “The Ed Sullivan Show.” Their own television show on ABC, “Jimmy Durante Presents The Lennon Sisters,” attracted such top-name guest stars as Sammy Davis, Jr., Bob Hope, Perry Como, George Burns and Bing Crosby. In 1987, The Lennon Sisters were awarded a star on the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2001, they were inducted into the National Vocal Group Hall of Fame along with The Eagles, The Bee Gees, Gladys Knight & The Pips, The Oak Ridge Boys and Smoky Robinson & The Miracles.

Darren Romeo: Singer, Master-Illusionist, Entertainer
Darren Romeo, protégé of Magicians of the Century Siegfried & Roy, finished a successful premiere season in Branson on August 14 and has signed a long-term agreement that will bring him back to Branson in 2005. Siegfried & Roy present Darren Romeo, The Voice of Magic has 250 performances scheduled from March 11 to December 11, 2005 at the Welk Resort Theatre.

“We’re pleased with the enthusiastic response to Darren’s 9-week engagement this summer,” said Sullivan. “Audiences and critics gave the show ‘two thumbs up’ with standing ovations and rave reviews. Darren’s vibrant energy, charm and endearing personality enable him to connect with audiences of all ages. It is an entertaining, captivating experience from beginning to end.”

Romeo combines an extraordinary singing voice with fascinating illusions for a one-of-a-kind magical performance. His Broadway-inspired magic and musical production features classic and contemporary music, from Andrew Lloyd Webber to Bobby Darin, Billy Joel and original compositions by Romeo. The show is punctuated by dramatic illusions, including Romeo’s original magic/music combination tribute to his namesake, Bobby Darin, and Blackstone’s famous Floating Light Bulb illusion.

Siegfried & Roy present Darren Romeo, The Voice of Magic was recently named Branson’s “Best Show 2004″ by Branson Critic (branson-critic.com). Earlier this year Romeo was named “International Magician of the Year” at the Magic Castle Awards in Hollywood.

Welk Resort Theatre
The Welk Resort Theatre is located three miles south of Highway 76 at 1984 State Highway 165. The 2,245-seat theatre near Table Rock Lake has been home to The Lawrence Welk Show from 1994 through 2004. The destination resort complex includes a 160-room hotel, the Stage Door Restaurant & Lounge, a gift shop, miniature golf course, swimming pool, game room and other family-friendly amenities.

This entry was posted on Sunday, March 20th, 2005 at 3:29 pm and is filed under Branson News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.