Branson News Guide

Branson, Missouri - In anticipation of its grand opening, Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater Complex has signed a group of A-list stars from the 50s and 60s to delight and entertain audiences. The Patch Collection- a 50s lifestyle exhibit featuring classic automobiles from 1957- will be open seven days a week, and Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Grill will complete the 50s experience with all-American fare. The theater complex opens in April.

Visitors are invited to spend a day in 1950s America at Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater Complex. Featuring a brand new concert venue-Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater-with a full schedule of performers and shows seven days a week, morning, afternoon and evening. Depending on when visitors book a trip, they could see the Righteous Brothers’ Bill Medley with special guests Paul Revere and the Raiders, The Comets, Original Stars at American Bandstand, Gary Lewis and the Playboys, or Cruisin’ 57-an all-new musical theater show.

Guests can also dine at Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Grill, or shop in the gift shop for souvenirs and American Bandstand memorabilia. Between shows visitors can experience The Patch Collection-an amazing automobile and lifestyle exhibit featuring a stunning collection of classic automobiles from 1957 presented in a unique “Small Town America” setting. The Patch Collection is open seven days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., with tickets starting at $15 for adults. Package deals are available.

The Righteous Brothers’ Bill Medley with special guests Paul Revere and the Raiders

The Righteous Brothers’ Bill Medley, with special guests Paul Revere and the Raiders, brings an exciting chemistry to Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater. This powerful mix of “blue-eyed soul,” old-time rock-n-roll, and rhythm and blues brings a new level of entertainment to the Branson live music scene. Past Righteous Brothers number one hits like “You’ve Lost that Lovin’ Feelin’,” “Unchained Melody” and “Soul and Inspiration,” along with hits from Paul Revere and the Raiders such as “Kicks,” “Hungry,” and “Indian Reservation” are just a few of the many chart topping numbers these groups will perform. Bill Medley and Paul Revere and the Raiders will perform at 8:00 p.m. on select nights.

Original Stars at American Bandstand

Hosted by pop music and motion picture icon, Fabian, this show stars the legendary Bobby Vee along with very special guests, The Chiffons, Brian Hyland, and Chris Montez live on stage together. Together, these performers have 21 Top 10 hits and over 50 Top 40 h its including “Take Good Care of My Baby,” “The Night has a 1000 Eyes,” “Rubber Ball,” “One Fine Day,” “He’s So Fine,” “Like a Tiger,” “Turn Me Loose,” “Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini,” “Gypsy Woman,” “Sealed With a Kiss,” “Earth Angel,” “Let’s Dance,” “The More I See You,” and more. The Original Stars at American Bandstand will entertain visitors on specified evenings at 8:00 p.m. in Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater.

The Comets

The Comets are expected to bring the house down when they perform the beloved hits that made them famous, such as “Rock Around the Clock,” “Shake Rattle n’Roll,” and “See Ya Later Alligator” to name just a few. The Comets will begin every day the 50s way when they perform at 10:00 a.m. most mornings, except Sundays, for a total of 174 shows.

Gary Lewis and the Playboys

Gary Lewis and the Playboys soared to the top of Billboard Magazine’s Hot 100 chart in the early 60s with “This Diamond Ring.” These gifted rockers will entertain audiences with 60s pop like “Save Your Heart for Me,” “Everybody Loves a Clown,” “She’s Just My Style,” “Sure Gonna Miss Her,” and more. Gary Lewis and The Playboys will perform over 60 10:00 a.m. shows at Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater.

Cruisin’ 57

The all-new musical production show, Cruisin’ 57, sends you on a wildly entertaining joyride back to the unforgettable 50s. Join the gang at Glenn’s Diner where every night is New Year’s Eve 1957! Great singers and dancers and an unbeatable live band perform the exciting musical hits of the day. Cruisin’ 57 is performed six days a week with matinee shows and a few select evening shows at 8:00 p.m.

Branson, MO - One of the best known NASCAR drivers and his famous #24 Dupont car will be virtually appearing and disappearing at the Welk Resort Theatre in Branson next year. A new alliance between NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon, Darren Romeo and Welk-Sullivan Productions will introduce Branson and Siegfried and Roy present Darren Romeo, The Voice of Magic to a vast, loyal NASCAR fan base.

“A key element of Darren Romeo’s show to date has been his inspiring testimonial about fate, destiny and following your dreams,” said Joe Sullivan, Executive Producer of Welk-Sullivan Productions. “This exciting new illusion will bring together Darren Romeo and Jeff Gordon - two young men who are living their dreams. We think this will be entertaining and inspiring to the young and young-at-heart who visit Branson and appealing to the NASCAR fans who have not yet discovered Branson.

The announcement comes on the heels of national exposure for Darren Romeo and Branson last week on “Entertainment Tonight,” “Access Hollywood,” “EXTRA” and the Associated Press (AP). The AP and entertainment news programs reported to their national audiences on Darren Romeo’s mentors, Siegfried & Roy, visiting Branson for the first time ever on November 4, and attending Romeo’s performances at the Welk Resort Theatre on November 5.

Romeo’s one-of-a-kind musical, magical production features classic and contemporary music, from Andrew Lloyd Weber 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.

Celebration City, Branson’s Biggest Nighttime Family Attraction, partners with leaders in kids’ entertainment to present new family adventures for 2006, from interactive movie fun from Movie Magic to the extreme sport of Mountain Boarding.

A whole new section of the park is added to accommodate the big-air outdoor Mountain Boards show, showcasing the freestyle athletics of this fast-growing extreme sport. Mountain Boarding combines the movements of skateboarding, snowboarding, surfing and mountain biking in an exciting, high-flying extreme stunt show.

Movie fun takes center stage with “Movie Magic,” an interactive show where kids can make their own movie, featuring scenes from MGM blockbusters, “The Pink Panther,” “Legally Blonde,” “Agent Cody Banks,” and “Rocky.” Stage props and 4-D special effects from giant fans to snow machines add to the hilarious production in the Celebration Theatre.

America’s favorite vegetables star when VeggieTales premiers two new movies at Celebration City. Bob the Tomato, Larry the Cucumber and all their Veggie friends teach timeless values like honesty, kindness and forgiveness with the visual and musical charm that made VeggieTales a worldwide phenomenon. Kids can meet Bob and Larry after the movie.

Thousands of colorful LEGO bricks fill a new LEGO activity area, where kids and families can build LEGO structures from castles to race cars, and even race them on a real track.

Celebration City’s spectacular $2 million nighttime special effects show returns, presenting a stunning finale to the day’s fun. The high-tech dramatic presentation includes five-story mountainside video projections, fire cannons shooting flames 150 feet in the air, three-dimensional visuals, lasers, a massive water screen, water cannons and pyrotechnics accentuating a story of the American spirit. Celebration City also features 32 rides and attractions including Ozark WildCat, a wooden coaster eight stories high.

The Enchanted Forest drive-through holiday light display is the Village of Indian Point’s annual Christmas gift to residents and visitors to the Branson/Lakes Area. Beginning in the 1980’s, the Enchanted Forest was the first drive-through display in the area and today, is the only one that remains free to the public. In the early years, the display included only ground-mounted colored spotlights shining up into the trees. This year, the mile-long drive includes about ½ million lights. The many displays include whimsical animated creatures of the forest and a few new surprises.

The focal point of the forest is the now famous “Freedom Tree”. Just after 9-11 occurred, the volunteers decorating a crooked old Osage Orange tree decided to wrap it in red, white and blue lights to express the Village’s patriotism and support for the country. A picture of the tree was put on the Indian Point Chamber of Commerce’s web site (indianpointchamber.com) and positive comments were received from across the nation and several foreign countries. The tradition continues this year as the tree’s 56,000 red, white and blue lights send forth visual support of our troops abroad and emergency workers here at home. Over 100,000 people are expected to tour the Enchanted Forest this season.

The Enchanted Forest is located in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer’s campground, three miles south of Highway 76 on Indian Point Road (between Branson and Branson West). It will be open from dusk until midnight each evening from Nov. 11 through January 1. Donations are gratefully accepted but not required. This annual event is a partnership of the Village, the Indian Point chamber, the Corps of Engineers and the many volunteers without whose help the project would not be possible. For further information, contact 800-888-3313 or 417-338-2772.

Seeing classic, pristine 1957 automobiles is exciting enough for car enthusiasts, but pair it with a complete lifestyle display of 1957 Small Town America and you have an exhibit that is unique enough to appeal to the whole family. In Branson, Missouri, that is exactly what Glenn E. Patch is doing with his impressive collection of over sixty 1957 automobiles and memorabilia.

For more than a decade, Patch has hunted down, bought, and in some cases, restored, these vintage American-made vehicles, creating what is now known as The Patch Collection. Formerly called ‘57 Heaven, The Patch Collection includes every American make of 1957 automobiles including Buick, Cadillac, Ford, Chevy, Pontiac, Chrysler, Oldsmobile, Plymouth, Studebaker, DeSoto, Packard, Nash, Rambler and Hudson. Dennis Gage, television host for My Classic Car, has seen the collection and is impressed. ‘57 Heaven is incredible, like no other I have seen before,” said Gage.

As of April 2006, ‘57 Heaven will be available for the public to enjoy. When visitors enter ‘57 Heaven, it will be just like going back in time to the year 1957 – complete with authentic memorabilia and accent items that capture the spirit of that magical year.

Over the last few years, Patch toyed with the idea of opening his remarkable exhibit to the public in Palm Springs, California where he spent much of his winter. Then the opportunity came in Branson, where Patch already owned a considerable amount of real estate. It was finally decided that the vehicles would find a permanent home on Highway 76 in Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater Complex – the perfect location to highlight those fabulous 50s.

Patch wasn’t satisfied with the cars just being on display. He wanted to truly highlight his collection in a way that visitors would remember. “Instead of making it a car museum, it’s going to depict lifestyle in the 1950s,” Patch explains. “We’re going to put the cars in their natural environments, like sitting at a service station or at a drive-in theater. We’ll have a model home that looks just like a house you’d walk into back in 1957, with an authentic kitchen and a Christmas tree with toys under it. You’ll walk down Main Street USA and there will be a toy store and an ice cream parlor. We want it to be attractive to the whole family, not just car enthusiasts.”

As it currently stands, approximately half of the cars will be housed in the Branson attraction, allowing models to rotate in and out of the exhibit to keep it fresh. Visitors will experience more than just one of the world’s finest car collections with a visit to ‘57 Heaven– they will get an interactive blast of art and nostalgia that words, and even photographs, can’t possibly capture. “You have to stand next to them to see how beautiful they are,” says Patch of his collection. “I’ve walked through with friends who had tears in their eyes when they saw them. Their hair stands up on their arms when they see those gorgeous cars.”

“I’m used to seeing finely finished racing machinery, but The Patch Collection takes the experience to a new level,” says Don Miller, President of Penske Racing. Ryan Newman has a similar response. The NASCAR driver for Penske Racing, AllTel Dodge has also seen the collection and is thoroughly impressed. “I always thought that 1957 was a wonderful year of automobile design; The Patch Collection proves it,” says Newman.

With over 100 shows to select from, Branson Critic Online has selected the Hamner Barber Variety Show and the Circle B Chuckwagon Dinner Show to be among the 7 award recipients of this years esteemed Branson Critic Awards.

The shows were selected as Editor’s Pick for the “Branson Must See Show” Award. This special award is presented by the critics themselves as their choice from the many shows they have reviewed personally in Branson throughout the year.

The other 5 award winners were selected by the voting public who submitted nomination reviews for the shows they would like to see nominated. In September and October almost 4000 people participated by voting for their favorites. These winners include: Darren Romeo, Tony Roi, Bucky Heard, The Haygoods and Terry Sanders.

Branson Critic is a network of volunteer writers who offer reviews of Branson shows, attractions, and lodging. It also allows readers to contribute their own show reviews.

For the second year, Branson Critic will be handing out awards to some of the best shows and performers in Branson during the week of November 2-26, 2005. The Hamner Barber Variety Show will be recognized LIVE on stage during their 8pm show on Wednesday, November 23 at the Hamner Barber Theater as editorial columnist Heath Hawkins presents their award.

The Hamner Barber Variety Show features the magic of world class illusionists The Hamners and internationally recognized comedian and ventriloquist Jim Barber. The show also presents a talented group of singer/dancers: AJ Heard, Ken Brown, Tim Lewis and Shanda Watts.

The traveling Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall will be on display at the Welk Resort & Theatre from November 4 to 11 during Branson Veterans Homecoming Week in 2005. The outdoor half-size replica display of the famous Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC will be open to the public daily from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm.

This year’s Traveling Wall Opening Ceremony will be at 10:30 am on Friday, November 4. Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers, The Lennon Sisters, Darren Romeo, Andrea Brett and representatives of the Branson Veterans Task Force will participate in the event. The 30-minute ceremony will include a military color guard, remarks by national representatives of two Vietnam Veterans associations and a wreath laying ceremony by Vietnam Veterans.

On Sunday, November 6, a special POW/MIA Tribute and Remembrance service at the Traveling Wall is scheduled for 8:00 am. Veterans Appreciation Shows are scheduled for Sunday, November 6 at the 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm performances of Siegfried & Roy Present Darren Romeo, The voice of Magic. Veterans, Active Duty Military, National Guard & Reserve members will receive complimentary admission to these two performances of the show named Branson’s “Best Show” in 2004 & 2005 by BransonCritic.

For information on the Traveling Wall, special ceremonies, Darren Romeo Veterans Appreciation Shows, special ceremonies & displays please call 417-337-7469.

2005 marks the 8th year for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall Display at Branson’s Welk Resort. The official half-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial spans nearly 240 feet in length and lists the names of more than 58,000 of our nation’s fallen heroes during the Vietnam conflict.

Unique military memorabilia is on display at the Stage Door Restaurant, just off the lobby of the Welk Resort Theatre, is also open to the public for viewing during Veterans Homecoming.