Branson, Missouri is the Place to Be for Summer Fun

The summer season is in full swing in Branson, Missouri, evident by the full line-up of entertainment, activities and perfect Branson summer weather. During the tough economic times many families are facing, Branson is reaching out to let visitors know they are not only visitor friendly but budget friendly as well. The great thing about Branson is there are a lot of sights to see and outdoor fun to pursue that is completely free! Now, there’s one word that’s music to everyone’s ears. Branson is also being proactive about helping visitors save money by offering stimulus check incentives, gas buster cards and other discounts throughout the area.

With the discounts available for visitors to Branson, guests can concentrate on the activities available in town and plan a great getaway trip. As always, Branson’s Silver Dollar City is a hot spot for families. This year, going to Silver Dollar City is even easier with the money-saving Silver Dollar City packages available. Plus, you can also get two days for the price of one at Silver Dollar City on ReserveBranson.com.

There are plenty of other exciting things happening in Branson this summer, including a variety of entertaining shows featuring everything from country music to rock ‘n roll. Branson, Missouri show schedules are filled with a multitude of performers and show times so it’s possible to see up to 3 shows a day if you’d like. Branson shows like Shoji Tabuchi, Dixie Stampede, Baldknobbers, Andy Williams, Showboat Branson Belle and Noah – The Musical sell out quickly, so making advanced reservations are recommended.

Attractions in Branson also provide a great way to pass those summer days. Many families venture to Celebration City after spending time at Silver Dollar City. Celebration City is the place to be after dark. The carnival-like atmosphere, coupled with rides, delicious food and an end-of-the-night fireworks show is a definite family pleaser. Ride the Ducks, a land and water cruise, is another Branson tradition popular with visitors. And, The Track is always a visitor favorite. With an unlimited Track Go-Card, the amount of fun you have is up to you!

When you travel to Branson, Missouri you’ll be happy to find a variety of lodging options available. There are discount Branson hotels, pet friendly Branson hotels and hotels in Branson with Internet Access, which means every option you might be searching for is here.

This summer, treat yourself to a vacation...Branson style!

Noah The Musical Brings Bible Story to Life in Branson

Curly the Camel experienced a momentary bout of stage fright, and Scrappy the Goat lived up to his cantankerous reputation.

And it rained. And rained. And rained.

But the rain, along with thunder and lightning and the unexpected antics of about 100 live animals, is among the reasons “Noah — the Musical” has visitors to Branson tapping their toes and applauding a new level of entertainment in a city where nearly 100 shows of all formats already fill stages day and night.

“The whole auditorium gasped when they raised the curtain on the second act,” said Melissa Pulis of Springfield, who saw the show with her 5-year-old son, Collin, soon after it opened in late May. “He kept saying ‘I’m in the middle of the ark,’ and it really felt like we were.”

The larger-than-life musical indeed places spectators in the middle of the action. When the animals board the ark two by two they prance down the aisles right through the audience. The 300-foot-long stage wraps around the seats on three sides.

If that weren’t enough, the distinct aroma of live animals, the swaying of the boat as flood waters lift it from the ground and the powerful dialogue of Noah’s distressed family as the world disappears before them help create a dramatic presentation rarely seen in Branson.

“The Branson audience is used to a musical performance of about 90 minutes, so it’s going to be interesting to see people react to more of a Broadway-style, big theater production,” said Bonnie Bosso, vice president of production for the show, which runs about 2 1/2 hours.

“This show is not just unique to Branson but really unique to the country in terms of its scope and its message,” she said.

Long before guests get their first whiff of hay or hear the first strains of the prerecorded orchestra, they know something is different about this theater and show. On the north side of Branson on a hill distant from the Missouri 76 melee, the three domes of the Sight & Sound Theatre tower above the city, creating an image some locals have called “Little Jerusalem.”
The Sight & Sound Theatre company, based in Strasburg, Pa., is often referred to as “the Christian Broadway” by theater critics and fans. The name Sight & Sound refers to the parables Jesus used to spread his message. It is the company’s first permanent theater outside Pennsylvania.

“The stories are written with all people and all ages in mind,” founder Glenn Eshelman said. “We most certainly appeal to the Judeo-Christian audience, but people from all religions and from all over the world have experienced the show — possibly attracted to the epic proportions and quality of the shows.”

The new theater is Branson’s 53rd and the first since Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater opened in 2005.

Physically, at least, no other building in Branson measures up to Sight & Sound. At 339,000 square feet, it is the largest building in the community, more than 100,000 square feet larger than the Branson Convention Center, which opened in September 2007. With 3,811 seats, the 15-year-old Grand Palace offers more seating than Sight & Sound’s 2,085 seats, but Sight & Sound’s structure also includes office space and construction workshops.

The stage also is the biggest in Missouri. Its 40-foot-tall sets are comparable to those of New York’s Metropolitan Opera House, and its 300-foot-long stage is bigger than the one at Radio City Music Hall.

Tom Fish, the architect and project manager during construction, compares it with the Grand Hall of Kansas City’s Union Station, which has a 95-foot-high ceiling and 72,930 total square feet. Fish was a consultant to one of the architectural firms involved with the train station’s renovation and is now director of operations at Sight & Sound.

“The biggest issue we had to deal with was a ventilation system necessary for so many animals in house,” he said. “Designing a green room for the animals was a career first for me. In fact, I’m not sure it’s ever been done in this country.”

Below the massive auditorium and stage is a 35,000-square-foot housing and training facility for a collection of animals almost as diverse as the one in the Bible story of Noah. Camels, llamas, alpacas, pigs, cows, donkeys, zebras and a panoply of birds receive the attention and pampering one might expect for the stars of a major theatrical production. The soundtrack from “Noah” gently fills the animals’ living quarters 24 hours a day. Fresh hay fills their stalls each day. The animals receive recreation in an adjacent five-acre pasture. And although they don’t require makeup, the animals are each brushed and groomed every day before their performance.

In some ways the Branson version of “Noah” even one-ups the Bible story. The version in Genesis requires two of each species; the Branson production requires three. Although the animals enter the ark two by two, a third “understudy” is waiting in the wings.

The collection is missing one species that had been written into the script. A pair of skunks, meant to provide a lighthearted moment as Noah holds his nose at their passing, were eliminated by Branson ordinances.

“Apparently the city of Branson is afraid that the skunks would procreate within the city limits,” Bosso said.

Branson didn’t excise all the humor from the show. In a scene not clearly referenced in Genesis, Noah climbs from one story to the next in the ark, checking on the animals. When his wife calls him to dinner, instead of going back down four flights of stairs, Noah simply slides down a fire pole.

One challenge for actors was adapting to so many live critters in the spotlight. At auditions, which were held in about a dozen places across the country beginning last December, the actors were asked about any allergies to or fears of animals. Rehearsals included bonding time between the animals and the 45 actors. Watch closely as a St. Bernard puppy puts its head on Noah’s lap and you’ll see Noah discreetly reward the dog with a treat.

Actress Candida Arvizu, 34, who moved to Branson from New York in 1995, plays three roles — a belly dancer, an ark worker and Havah, a friend of Noah’s family. It is her responsibility to get the pigs, rabbits and pigeons on board the ark.

“The animals certainly keep things lively,” Arvizu said. “I try to help my friend manage the goats because they are so anxious to get on board and be rewarded with a treat that it’s like water skiing down the aisle just holding onto their ropes.”

Despite highly technical production values that include fireworks, nearly 200 animatronic animals and a laser light show, among the most important pieces of equipment are a broom, a shovel and an invention nicknamed the “poo-boni.” Just as a Zamboni is used to clean up and freshen the surface on ice rinks, the poo-boni cleans up the droppings occasionally left by the animals in the public areas of the theater.

“We try to feed and exercise the animals on a very strict schedule so as to minimize their deposits, but we anticipate accidents to happen and the audience to play along with it,” Fish said.

The Sight & Sound Theatre has been in the works for nearly five years. In addition to the hundreds of temporary jobs created during construction, the theater employs 250 people full time, including some who have moved to Branson to be part of the show.

“This is a destination, not just an experience within the destination of Branson,” Bosso said.
Getting there

“Noah” is performed at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday at the Sight & Sound Theatre, 1001 Shepherd of the Hills Expressway. If you’re taking children to see the show, ask for seats on the center aisle for the best view of the animals.

Backstage tours of the Sight & Sound Theatre begin June 21. The cost will be $9 per person.

•Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater, which opened in 2005 at 1600 W. Missouri 76, has added a five-acre outdoor events arena called Area 57, ideal for car and motorcycle shows. Each weekend Area 57 screens drive-in movies from the 1950s. Bring a lawn chair or blanket to throw on the ground.

•Titanic: The World’s Largest Titanic Museum Attraction, 3235 W. Missouri 76, open since 2006, has remodeled the upstairs first class dining room to incorporate memorabilia from the 1997 blockbuster movie “Titanic.” It includes wardrobe items worn by Kate Winslet and Kathy Bates, plus a diamond and sapphire necklace similar to “The Heart of the Ocean” that appeared in the movie.

•Celebration City, 1338 Missouri 376, an amusement park affiliated with Silver Dollar City, has a new water ride called Roaring Falls. Splashing through a simulated Amazon forest, the raft carrying you and your friends drops 50 feet to raging rapids below.

SIGHT & SOUND Sight & Sound Theatres was founded in 1975 by Glenn and Shirley Eshelman of Lancaster County, Pa., and entertains more than 800,000 guests a year at two theaters there.

“Noah — the Musical” debuted there in 1995. It is scheduled to continue in Branson through 2009. It will be replaced by another Bible story production by Sight & Sound. Among those are “In the Beginning,” “Behold the Lamb,” “Abraham and Sarah — a Journey of Love,” “Ruth,” “Daniel — a Dream, a Den, a Deliverer” and “Psalms of David.”

BY THE NUMBERS: ‘NOAH — THE MUSICAL’
•11: Number of pieces in the interior of the ark that weigh more than 100,000 pounds.
•60: Loads of laundry done each week for the show.
•70: Surround-sound speakers in the auditorium.
•75: Wigs worn by cast members.
•300: Feet in the length of the wraparound stage.
•375: Costumes worn by cast members.
•2,000: Number of lighting instruments used in “Noah,” producing 2 million watts of light.
•2,085: Seats in the theater.
•26,550: Square feet in the stage area, including two side stages.
•339,000: Square feet in the Sight & Sound facility.

Information courtesy of The Kansas City Star

Branson's 53 Theaters Shine with Music, Dance and Drama

For those who have difficulty making a decision when all the choices seem good, Branson is becoming increasingly complicated.

But the mid-America entertainment hot spot is heaven for those who delight in having lots of options, including music, comedy, big production-style theater and a wholesome good time. With 53 theaters offering two or three shows a day, as well as more than a dozen museums, four theme parks, numerous outdoor activities, shopping and restaurants, making a choice could be a challenge.

About 100 shows play here on any given day. To help you decide which to see, here's a primer. We describe shows that will run throughout the summer and in major theaters, independent of theme parks or other venues.

What's new

The 339,000-square-foot Sight & Sound Theatre, which opened May 23, is the biggest building in Branson. Sight & Sound Theatres, with headquarters in Strasbourg, Pa., has been dubbed the "Christian Broadway," because of the company's high-quality productions of biblical stories. Noah – The Musical, complete with more than 100 live animals and 200 animatronics, plays Tuesday through Saturday until Christmas. Aisle seats afford the best view of the animals as they board the ark.

Making his first appearance in Branson in September will be Grammy winner Joe Diffie, whose "John Deere Green" and "If the Devil Danced in Empty Pockets" were No. l hits. He'll be onstage at 8 p.m. at the Yakov Smirnoff Theatre. Mr. Diffie includes the comedy of Paul Harris in his show.

New location

Liverpool Legends, a Beatles tribute in its third season, is at the Starlite Theatre. Fifties at the Hop has been playing in Branson for 14 years but only now has landed its own theater by the same name. Located in the Shoppes at Branson Meadows on Gretna Road, the new setting includes an expanded refreshment area and lobby that's almost as entertaining as the show inside. Look for additional room to dance in the aisles and a surprise rebel without a cause.

Liverpool Legends, a critically praised Beatles tribute in its third season, is in a new location, at the Starlite Theatre. Be in your seats 15 minutes before showtime to see news film from the Fab Four's U.S. tours. Louise Harrison, elder sister of George Harrison, is on hand to answer questions, and showgoers dance in the aisles.

New acts

The Rankin Brothers, who are from Trophy Club, have realized one of their career goals by landing a full-time gig in Branson at the Welk Resort Theatre. Their musical revue of everything from Neil Diamond to Buddy Holly to George Strait keeps hands clapping and toes tapping, just as when Matt and Mark Rankin played at the Garland Theatre. The suit Mark wears during the Elvis numbers was reputedly designed for the King himself.

The Roy Rogers-Dale Evans Happy Trails Theater adds the duo's grandson to the lineup. Dustin Roy Rogers, who has served as general manager of the theater and museum since it opened five seasons ago, moves to the stage with his father and the High Riders. In addition to a couple of duets with his father and a solo of "Night Rider's Lament," Dustin shares memories of his grandparents.

Ann-Margret is joining Andy Williams at the Moon River Theatre through July 26. She first visited Branson with Andy in 2004. This season's show returns the duo to a 1960 screen test for the movie State Fair.

Plan lunch or dinner at the adjacent Moon River Grill, which opened in 2007. Andy eats a meal or two there each day, enjoying pot roast and rhubarb shortcake from his mother's recipes. He usually brings a celebrity guest or two to lunch with him.

Information and Images courtesy of The Dallas Morning News

10 Ways to Save on Your Branson Vacation Despite High Gas Prices

School is out, summer is here and families are ready for vacation. While many families look to the road for their vacation days, this year it is harder than ever to fill the gas tank and travel near or far. Despite high gas prices, Branson, Missouri is still a great choice for a summer vacation. This drive to destination is offering discounts on everything from gas to food to activities in order to cater to value-driven visitors who deserve a vacation! In order to aid our guests in making their dollar stretch even farther this year, here are 10 ways to save on your Branson vacation despite high gas prices.

1) Take advantage of the Gas Buster Discount Card available through the Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce. By showing a recent (past two days) gas receipt(s) totaling $50 or more at a Chamber of Commerce visitor center, located at Highways 65 and 248 or at Highways 65 and 160, you’ll receive a Gas Buster Discount Card worth $50 in savings. Plus, for every $50 in gas you spend, you’ll get another card worth even more savings. The Gas Buster Card offers discounts on everything from lodging to shopping to food, so be sure to pick one up. There are several participating sponsors of the Branson Gas Buster Program, and full details regarding the program are available.

2) Cash in on your Stimulus Check to receive two free show tickets from the Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce. Times are hard, and in order to show they understand, Branson has started a Branson Stimulus Check Promotion where they give away two free show tickets to guests who present a copy of their stimulus check, or proof of direct deposit, at their welcome centers (location mentioned above.) A complete list of participating shows offering two free show tickets in Branson is available here.

3) Cut corners by cutting into Branson Restaurant Coupons. They are a great way to save money on shopping and food, and are easily obtained. Dining Coupons for restaurants such as Golden Corral, Outback Steak & Oyster Bar, Moon River Grill, Shorty Small’s, Landry’s and the Grand Country Buffet offer great discounts. There are plenty of other restaurant coupons for Branson too!

4) Shopping coupons for Branson shops are available, with coupon books offered for both the Tanger Outlet and Factory Merchants Mall. Plus, be sure to visit the Tanger Outlet Mall website for promotional sales and coupons for additional savings.

5) Even more fun can be had at the Branson Landing by acquiring a Passport full of deals. Their Branson Landing Passport savings book can be obtained from these distributors or by printing this Branson Landing voucher and presenting it at the Landing Management Office.

6) Branson Hotels are also accommodating visitors by offering great Branson hotel discounts. There are several wallet-friendly yet quality properties to choose from, including the AmazInn & Suites, Branson Towers, Gazebo Inn, Quality Inn on the Strip and Rosebud Inn. These lodging choices make it easy to still get in on all the fantastic Branson entertainment and activities while also providing a nice place to stay at night.

7) The Direct Deals page on ReserveBranson.com offers discount Branson tickets on a number of Branson Shows and Branson Attractions. A few of the shows with cheap Branson ticket prices include the Hamner Barber Variety Show, Kirby VanBurch, Acrobats of China, Haygoods, and Silver Dollar City.

8) Branson Packages are another one of the great ways to save money in Branson. On ReserveBranson.com there are packages for Branson offering shows such as Sight and Sound’s Noah the Musical, The Presley’s and Dixie Stampede to name a few. Plus, there are great money saving deals on Silver Dollar City Packages, where packages can include all of Silver Dollar Cities properties, including Celebration City and White Water. These packages can save 20% on your total price, so be sure to take advantage of them.

9) There are plenty of Free Things to Do in Branson. Spend the day at Table Rock Lake, hike a scenic trail or go to a free Branson museum. Families can find several activities in Branson that take advantage of Branson’s outdoor appeal, so be sure to check out all the Free Branson activities available.

10) Cheap Gas in Missouri is one of the best reasons to travel to Branson. Missouri has the cheapest gas in the nation right now, and as any traveler knows, that’s a great bonus. Gas in Branson is still under $4 a gallon, with an average price of $3.75. So, pack up your things and gas up your car, because the open road to Branson leads to the cheapest gas anywhere.

Noah~The Musical Hits the Branson Stage

Everyone in America knows and loves the story of Noah, with its flood, its ark and its animals marching in two-by-two. On May 24th the Millennium Theatre in Branson, Missouri, raised the curtain on “Noah—The Musical," featuring more than 40 actors, along with 75 live animals and 75 animatronic ones. Branson, one of the great musical capitals of America, has no shortage of theatres, but the new Millennium is its largest building and the country's largest Christian theatre.

The cast, animals and robots included, performs on a 330-foot (100-metre) wrap-around stage in a 339,000-square-foot building. The theatre's dome, which resembles an ancient temple, can be seen from many points around Branson's rolling surrounds. The huge complex has its own training facility and indoor zoo for zebras, camels, donkeys, llamas and even skunks. The animals are trained to handle stage lights, applause and music. Some beasts parade down the theatre's aisles to board the four-story ark.

Branson has more than 50 theatres featuring an array of acts, from old crooners like Andy Williams to Yakov Smirnoff, a Russian comedian. But none is like the Millennium, which is owned by Sight and Sound Theatres in Pennsylvania. The theatre has its own generators so that if local electricity cuts out, the show will go on. Near the stage is a green room for the animals where they will be dressed in their costumes. The musical will run for two years before the company adds new shows, on other biblical themes.

Branson is a logical spot for the spectacle. The town of 7,000 got its touristy start with “The Shepherd of the Hills," based on a 1907 feel-good novel that brought visitors from around the country to the Ozark mountains. Today the play is America's longest-running outdoor drama. Tiny Branson manages to attract 7.2million tourists a year and is reachable within a day's drive by half of the country's population. Although tourism hasn't slowed as much in Branson as other parts of the country, that could change because of rising petrol prices. But Branson hopes that Noah and his ark will keep the town afloat during the summer months.

Information & Image courtesy of The Economist