Shoji Tabuchi playing “Listen to the Mocking Bird.”
Shoji Tabuchi has said, “The fiddle and violin are the same instrument, their difference is how you ‘fiddle” around with them.” After seeing his show recently I can say, regardless of which instrument he is “fiddling around with,” from the first note to the last, it is simply a joy to listen to this master as he performs a variety of music ranging from “Live and Let Die,” the title song of the James Bond movie with the same name to “The Orange Blossom Special,” “Listen to the Mocking Bird,” a classical “Humoresque” and many styles in between.
If there was only Shoji that would be enough, but he is part of a production involving a live orchestra, singers and dancers, colorful costumes, beautiful choreography and excellent audience interaction. It is all superbly woven together into a two hour extravaganza of fast paced musical entertainment, by co-producers Dorothy and Christina Tabuchi that concludes all too quickly.
The dancers and vocalists, Alicia Winking, Robyn Hurst, Jeremy Sterling, Jonny Laughlin, Adam Henry and Norvin Breeck who is also the co-dance captain, are led by Shoji’s daughter, Christina Lingo-Tabuchi. She is also the show’s feature vocalist, vocal director, co-dance captain and the show’s co-producer. The versatility, talent and energy of these entertainers explodes onto the stage with a burst of energy and color as they open the show with “”Shake It Off” and, whether its dancing, singing a duet or playing the part of a cow, chicken or penguin, doesn’t let up until the curtain falls.
Christina Tabuchi, right and Alicia Winking during their performance of “Somethin’ Bad.”
Christina Tabuchi, in addition to being the co dance captain, is the show’s featured vocalist and sings a variety of solos and duets throughout the show demonstrating the range of her vocal talents. Two of my favorites would be her duet of the Miranda Lambert/Carrie Underwood hit, “Somethin’ Bad,” with Alicia Winking and her solo performance of the Lee Ann Womack hit, “I Hope You Dance,” which was simply beautiful and was dedicated to her daughter.
The show’s band, composed of Duggie Dugan, director and guitar player; Landon Rolf, bass; Anthony Walter:, drums, William Green, percussion; John Turner, piano; Carl Hose, Trombone and Wes Smith, flute and sax; does a magnificent job, not only from an instrumental perspective but in supporting all the diverse elements of the show. Of many, a prime example would be the shows big band number “Fly Me To The Moon” featuring the band, Shoji and the singers and dancers.
Of course the star of the show is the incredible Shoji Tabuchi who has been delighting Branson audiences with his blend of showmanship and fiddle and violin mastery for over 30 years. Whether he is playing the fiddle, which he does for the majority of the show, or the violin, from the first to the last note of every piece it is obvious that you are hearing and seeing a master of his craft performing.
From country to rock and roll to Elvis, Led Zeppelin and Brahms he performs a variety of musical styles. It’s extremely unlikely that there will be a greater variety of music presented at any concert or show featuring an instrumentalist playing the “fiddle and violin” and it’s a virtual certainty that you won’t hear one do it better. From among many, my three favorites were, “Through the Eyes of Love” from the movie “Ice Castles; the classical segment with “Humoresque,” “Brahms Lullaby” and “Little Night Music” and his extremely entertaining version of the song that turned a young Japanese violinist into a master fiddle player, “Listen to the Mocking Bird,” which he first heard performed when Roy Acuff and his band did a concert in Japan.
Giant Japanese “Taiko Drum.”
You will not want to miss the opening of the second half of the show, where the shows vocalists and dancers again demonstrate how multi-talented they are as, along with others, they open it with the “Taiko Drums,” from Shoji’s native Japan. Ten drummers play three different drums including the large “Odaiko” in a unique one of a kind performance. Make sure you watch the movements of the drummers on the smaller drums! Shoji plays “Sakura Sakura” and does a duet of “Sukiyaki,” with his daughter, Christina. The whole segment from the drums to the costuming and the music is something that will not soon be forgotten.
As I was watching the show I could not help but notice how much the group sitting just behind me was enjoying the show. At intermission I had a chance to chat with one of them, Jason Gillem, from Apple Valley, MN. He said that he was enjoying the show, would absolutely recommend it to others and that it was unique, energetic and reached out to all members of the audience.
Although an intangible, Shoji’s ability to relate to his audience, while playing, telling the story of how he came to be an American citizen or anyone of a variety of other anecdotes he shares periodically throughout the show, is an inherent part of the whole experience. As I have written before and would again ratify, “Simply put, Shoji Tabuchi is a master at his craft, loves what he does, relates to his audience not only on a musical, but personal level, surrounds himself with some of the best musicians, singers and dancers in Branson and stars in a unique, colorful and exciting one of kind entertainment production.”
For more information or tickets for the Shoji Tabuchi Show please contact the Branson Tourism Center, one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services by calling 1-800-785-1550 or through its website, www.BransonTourismCenter.com.