What's New in Branson

Sight & Sound Theatre presents NOAH – The Musical, opening May 24, 2008. Amazing bible-based show, more than 50 live animals and 50 animatronic animals onstage, set on a 4-story stage that is the Ark. Best known as “Christian Broadway.”

Legends In Concert summer line up runs May 22 - Sept 2, 3 and 8 pm shows daily except Wednesday. The new summer line up includes: Johnny Cash, Shania Twain, The Blues Brothers, The Temptations and Elvis.

14 Karat Country Show is back at the Clay Cooper Country Express Theatre.

Andy Williams and Ann-Margret will perform together at the Moon River Theatre June 6 – July 26.

Andy Williams Variety Show is September 5 through October 27. The variety show will be like his Emmy-Award winning television shows and will have up to 6 different specialty acts performing with Andy.

The Andy Williams Moon River Theatre has a new morning show. “The Entertainers” perform everything from dueling banjos to Phantom of the Opera, Motown to bluegrass, all done by local musicians who are, in their own right, “stars” from various shows in Branson.

Bobby Vinton will be performing at The Mansion this November.

Oak Ridge Boys will open in their new theatre on Shepherd of the Hills Expressway.

Country Tonite will be at the Oak Ridge Boys Theatre.

The Dalena Ditto Country Variety Show will perform at the Oak Ridge Boys Theatre, April through December.

Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theatre welcomes Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers to their stage in a morning show.

Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater opens up Area ’57 with special events, such as BransonFest 2008, April 8-12, and other concerts planned.

Justin Flom and the Imaginary Theatre features Branson Divas and the Emmy Award-winning comedian Bob Nelson.

RFD-TV, The Theatre welcomes headliner Penny Gilley for the season.

Tom Mullica as Red Skelton is appearing at The Mansion.

The Welk Resort Theatre – The Rankin Brothers Classic Music Revue will debut in March and run through December. Matt and Mark Rankin, along with their cast of outstanding musicians and performers, will present timeless, classic hits covering six decades of music; The Welk Stars Reunion (Sept. 3-7); The Tillis Family Reunion starring Mel Tillis & Pam Tillis will return from Sept. 16 through October 25 for 38 performances; Tony Orlando Veterans Salute (Nov. 11) and Mr. Orlando will join The Lennon Sisters in 2008 for an all new Christmas Celebration production at the Welk Resort. This new pairing of beloved headliners in an all-new show will run from November 1 – December 6, 2008.

Yakov Smirnoff welcomes Joe Diffie to Yakov’s theatre in September, 2008. Shows will feature Diffie, friends and family members, and comedian Paul Harris.

Attractions

The Branson Entertainment Hall of Fame & Museum, located in the Branson Mall, honors those instrumental in Branson’s entertainment success and showcases historical items for public viewing.

Butterflies at Branson is a community-wide art exhibit that will be decorating the Branson area from March 29, 2008 until October 10, 2008. Area artists, including Yakov Smirnoff will turn a 36” by 36” fiberglass butterfly into a work of art to benefit Christian Action Ministries.

New fun on the water at Gage’s Branson Landing Marina & Shoppes. Branson Landing Cruises offers daily excursions aboard a luxurious 100’ yacht or authentic 100’ paddlewheel riverboat in the midst of spectacular Branson Landing and Lake Taneycomo waterfront. Or if you are in the mood for full service dining in a casual waterfront atmosphere, visit Shorty Small’s restaurant or Shorty’s Pub. Souvenirs can be found at Denney’s Harley Davidson and delicious ice cream at Ben & Jerry’s.

Long recognized as the “Home of American Craftsmanship,” Silver Dollar City takes the art of demonstration to a whole new level with the new Culinary & Craft School, designed to pass along knowledge of the long-forgotten crafts of yesteryear and other want-to-know secrets and tips such as country cooking techniques and craft seminars. Set within a new building stylishly decorated with handcrafted items from the park’s master craftsmen, the Culinary & Craft School will feature heirloom displays, multiple demonstrations, hands-on activities and classes for take-home skills.

Tall Timber lumberjack show will be moving to Hwy 76 West in 2008. Two blocks west of Silver Dollar City, across the street from Uncle Ike’s trail rides.

White River Fish House at Bass Pro Shops in Branson Landing sits on Lake Taneycomo. You can feast on local favorites like catfish and trout. Or enjoy a delicious hand-cut juicy steak, grilled to perfection. Whatever you decide, you will leave feeling satisfied and hungry for your next adventure at White River Fish House.

Developments

The new Branson Convention Center offers convention and conference goers 220,000 square feet of flexible space in a stunning, state-of-the-art setting. A curving, exposed timber pedestrian concourse gives visitors a pleasing view of the Lake Taneycomo waterfront as they travel between the center’s meeting and exhibit facilities and the adjacent Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel.

The Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel is located within walking distance of Historic Downtown Branson and the sprawling new Branson Landing shopping and entertainment district. The new Hilton offers guests a chance to experience the pampered luxury of a metropolitan hotel in the heart of small town America. The 12-story hotel has 293 rooms, including 194 traditional rooms and suites, and 99 condotel units that will also be available for nightly rental.

Two new championship golf courses are ready for players in 2008 – the magnificent Murder Rock Course at Branson Creek and the Payne Stewart Tribute Course at Branson Hills.

The Branson/Lakes Area community is looking forward to the first flight landing at the new Branson Regional Airport in spring of 2009.

Info courtesy of the Branson Chamber of Commerce