The incomparable “Daniel O’Donnell” and international Irish dance spectacular “Titanic Dance” will bring a little bit of Ireland to Branson during Ozark Mountain Christmas.

“It’s a Christmas gift from Ireland!” said Annette Wood, Director of Sales and Marketing for the Branson Tourism Center. “We’re really excited about two special limited engagement shows, Daniel O’Donnell and Titanic Dance, both from Ireland, that will add a little bit of Irish spirit, song, and dance to the broad repertoire of live entertainment that Branson visitors will enjoy during Ozark Mountain Christmas,” she added.

After taking a year off from touring, the incomparable Daniel O’Donnell will be performing a limited engagement of 2:00 PM shows, running from October 31 through November 19, in the Welk Theatre at the beautiful Welk Resort. Long a favorite of Branson area residents and visitors alike, O’Donnell presents a blend of traditional Irish ballads, country favorites, and traditional gospel with his engaging and charismatic style that invests the audience in their own entertainment experience. An already great entertainment experience is further enhanced with the guest appearance of the noted Irish folk and country singer, Mary Duff.

O’Donnell is well known in the United States for starring in several Public Broadcasting Network Specials, as well as charting 18 albums in the Top 20 of Billboard’s World Music Album Chart. He has sold millions of records and been “a household name across Ireland and Great Britain for decades” and, in 2016, became the first artist to have a new album in the UK charts, each year, for 28 consecutive years.

“Fresh from Belfast, Ireland and its recent appearance at the China International Folk Arts Festival in Qinghai last month, where it was seen by a live audience of over one billion people, Titanic Dance, the new Irish music and dance spectacular, will be performing a very limited engagement in Branson, November 9 through November 20. In the tradition of “Lord of the Dance,” a cast of 30 world class Irish dancers and musicians give a breath-taking romantic performance that is led and choreographed by principal dancer and creative director, Raymond Sweeney who performed with Michael Flatley’s “Lord of the Dance,” for over fifteen years.

Titanic Dance is an electrifying “emotional journey of hope, aspiration, love, heartbreak and sadness set around, and aboard, the world’s most famous ship, from its beginning in the Belfast shipyard to its tragic end in the Atlantic Ocean. It is an electrifying show that has played to capacity audiences throughout Ireland and around the world and the first Irish Dance troupe to have the honor of dancing in the House of Commons in over 1,000 years.

For more information on Daniel O’Donnell, Titanic Dance and other amazing Branson shows, attractions, or lodging, please contact the Branson Tourism Center through its website, www.BransonTourismCenter.Com, or one of its Branson based Travel Planners at 1-800-875-1550, where “one call takes care of it all.” They will be delighted to answer any questions you might have about Branson, its shows, hotels, or attractions and assist you with reservations to help ensure that you obtain the best available seating at shows and the accommodations you desire. There is no charge for this service and they are available daily, except Christmas Day, from 8:00 AM to 9:30 PM.

The Osmonds and Lennon Sisters opening the 2015 edition of the “Andy Williams Christmas Extravaganza.”

The Andy Williams Christmas Extravaganza and Shoji Tabuchi’s “Wonder of Christmas” Christmas show are two of Branson’s longest running shows devoted totally to Christmas. The have become a Christmas tradition to many and the perfect illustration of why Christmas in Branson is The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Andy Williams Christmas Extravaganza

The Andy Williams Christmas Extravaganza continues the tradition of “Mr. Christmas” and the “Andy Williams Christmas Show” with its variety, color, and excitement. During separate interviews, Jimmy Osmond and the Lennon Sisters, both of whom worked very closely with Andy Williams during their careers, expressed what an honor it was to remember and honor him by continuing his style of Christmas show, and, if last years’ show was any indication, WOW, do they ever!

Produced by Jimmy Osmond, the Andy Williams Christmas Extravaganza is a spectacular, unique, and magical Christmas production that is as beautiful and inspiring as it is entertaining, exciting, magical, and fun. From the opening to the finale it’s an amazing variety of music, dancing, color, magic, and more that entertains and inspires as it has the audience sitting on the edge of their seats anticipating what’s coming next.

The vocal stars of the show, the Osmonds and Lennon Sisters, present the music of Christmas as only they can! It is a joy to see and hear them sing individual group sets, solos, and group duets in one of the most unique vocal performances you will ever hear. An already great experience becomes even more so with the addition of dancers, a live band, colorful costuming, special effects, and more.

That would be enough for most shows but, in keeping the Andy Williams tradition of variety, there’s more, a lot more! When you add the amazing magic of illusionist Rick Thomas and his lovely wife Tara, with elements of their magical “Let It Snow” act, the adagio dancing and quick change artistry of Pasha & Aliona, and other surprises, the result is like opening Christmas presents under the tree on Christmas morning. You don’t know what it is, but what a wonderful surprise it is when you get the wrapping off and open the package.”

Shoji Tabuchi in his 2015  “Wonder of Christmas Show .”

Shoji Tabuchi’s “Wonder of Christmas” Show

In a recent interview, Shoji Tabuchi said that their Christmas show, The Wonder of Christmas, playing from November 1 through December 10, differs from their regular show in that, from the opening curtain to the finale, everything is about Christmas. Christina Tabuchi said, “It’s just so exciting as we transition over from our regular show to the Christmas show. There’s a special spirit, energy, and feeling of anticipation as we put the final touches on the show and get ready for our November 1^st opening.”

The show will feature the stars of their regular show, the incredible Shoji Tabuchi; his daughter Christina who is the lead female vocalist, the shows co-producer, and co-dance captain; a live band; dancers; other vocalists; and the return of mandolinist Sharlyn Todd performing a variety of everyone’s favorite Christmas music in the type of production show for which the Tabuchi’s are famous.

That means the incredible Shoji Tabuchi playing a variety of Christmas favorites on the fiddle and violin as only he can, stirring vocals, marvelous dancing, colorful costumes and sets, and other surprises that have made this Christmas show a Branson tradition. From toy soldiers, to snowmen and the birth of the One whose birthday we celebrate on Christmas, this show is filled with the spirit, excitement, and inspiration of Christmas and has something for the whole family to enjoy.

When asked what his favorite part in the show was, Shoji said, “When the kids in the audience come up on stage with Christina as she sings to them. Just to see the expressions on their face!” In a separate interview, when asked the same question and without knowing it had been asked to her dad, Christina said, “When the kids in the audience get to come up on stage and I get to sing ‘Frosty,’ with them.”

When pressed to pick a favorite part of the show that he was involved in he said that it would have to be the Little Drummer Boy and the Parade of the Wooden Soldiers set. He sets it up playing the Little Drummer Boy on the fiddle that fades into a full cast, dressed as wooden soldiers, performing the Parade of the Wooden Soldiers, live on drums, as they precision march and dance. Shoji said that he also enjoys the unique multiple style approach he uses to play Joy to the World in the show. He said that they are both audience favorites and, having seen the audience reaction to them in previous shows, I couldn’t agree more.

For more information or tickets for either Andy Williams Christmas Extravaganza or Shoji Tabuchi’s Christmas show, or anything relating to Christmas in Branson, please call one of Branson Tourism Center’s Branson based Travel Planners at 1-800-875-1550. They will be delighted to answer any questions you might have about Branson, its shows, hotels, or attractions and assist you with reservations to help ensure that you obtain the best available seating at shows and the accommodations you desire. There is no charge for this service and they are available daily, except Christmas Day, from 8:00 AM to 9:30 PM.

Legends in Concert’s George Strait, upper left, Blues Brothers, Elvis Presley, Adele, and Frank Sinatra

“We are super excited about the line-up for our Christmas show,” said Jeannie Horton, the General Manager for Branson’s Legends in Concert. “We have Tribute Artists honoring the legendary ‘Frank Sinatra,’ performed by Brian Dupre, coming back to our line-up after an eight-year absence; ‘Adele,’ performed by ‘J. C. Brando;’ ‘George Strait,’ performed by Larry Turner; the ‘Blues Brothers’ performed by Clint Nievar and Danny Zeligman; and ‘Elvis Presley,’ performed by Dean Z starting on November 7. Elvis will be performed on November 1 by Cody Ray Slaughter and from November 2 through 6 by Ted Torres,”she added..

When asked what makes the Christmas Show different from the regular Legends in Concert show, Horton started by pointing out what would be the same. Each act will perform a mini-concert containing four or five of the hits of the Legend being portrayed; performed with the sound, mannerisms, expressions, and moves that are about as close to the original as one can get.

Accenting each of those performances, and enhancing the audience’s overall enjoyment is an extraordinary live band, fabulous dancers, and some very talented backup vocalists. When you add elaborate theatrical sets, great choreography, magnificent costumes, and a full array of incredible special effects, including three-dimensional multimedia and multimillion-dollar, state-of-the-art lighting, laser and sound systems, the result is a truly legendary entertainment experience.

She said, “None of that changes for the Christmas show except that, from decorations to the individual performances of the Tribute Artists and the show’s Finale, the special music and spirit of Christmas will be felt.” Horton said that one of the things she particularly likes about the Christmas show is that each of the acts will perform a set featuring four or five of the legendary songs that the artist is noted for, but one of the numbers in each of the sets will be a Christmas song associated with the artist.

She is really excited about the Finale saying, “Our Finale is always spectacular, but this year’s Christmas Finale is just ‘super powerful!’” She said that she did not want to spoil the surprise for the audience, but did point out that all of the Tribute Artists, dancers, vocalists and the band will come together and perform a Christmas Finale unlike any that most have ever seen. In the end however, she could not resist a little teaser as she enthusiastically asked, “Where else in Branson, or anywhere else, can you go to hear a duet of Mary Did You Know performed by ‘Adele’ and ‘Frank Sinatra?’ You definitely don’t want to leave early!”

For additional information or tickets for Legends in Concert please contact the Branson Tourism Center, one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services, by calling 1-800-785-1550, or by visiting www.BransonTourismCenter.com.

The Million Dollar Quartet David Brooks (Jerry Lee Lewis) left, Sarah Tweedle (Dyanne), Brad Waters (Carl Perkins), Austin Wilson (Jay Perkins, Bass Player),  Elvis Presley (Tyler K. Hunter), and Cliff Wright (Johnny Cash.)

You might already know that the Million Dollar Quartet is a Tony Award winning musical that is one of Branson’s most popular shows, but did you know that it is based on an actual, one time impromptu, event involving four young performers, Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis, in the early stages of their career?

How many of these 12 questions about that event and the musical Million Dollar Quartet do you know the answers to?

1.When did it take place?
Answer:  On December 4, 1956.

2. In what city did it take place?
Answer: Memphis, TN.

3. Where did it take place?
Answer: In the storefront recording studio of Sun Records.

4.Who was there?
Answer: Sam Phillips; the owner of Sun Records; Carl Perkins, Sun recording artist, who was in the studio along his brother Jay on bass, and drummer, WS “Fluke” Holland to record “Matchbox;” Sun recording artist Jerry Lee Lewis, who was there to play piano for the Perkins recording; Sun recording artist, Johnny Cash, who came in to observe the recording session and talk with Sam Phillips; RCA and ex-Sun Recording artist Elvis Presley, who just dropped by with a girl he was seeing at the time, Marilyn Evans; and sound technician Jack Clement, who was there to record the session. Bob Johnson, the entertainment editor of the “Memphis Press-Scimitar,” who was invited over by Phillips after the jam session had started, and was accompanied by a  photographer.

5. What happened?
Answer: After Elvis showed up, near the end of Perkins recording session, they just started talking, playing, and singing. The resulting impromptu jam session was a unique one-time event that would have gone unrecorded, but for the foresight of the sound technician Jack Clement.

6. What part did Jack Clement play in the event?
Answer: According to Clement, as the jam session got underway, Sam Phillips was in a nearby restaurant, and he decided that he would be remiss if he did not record the session, so, without anyone’s knowledge, he did.

7. If everything was so informal how did the session get the name, “Million Dollar Quartet?”
Answer: When Phillips discovered the jam session going on he called Bob Johnson, the entertainment editor of the “Memphis Press-Scimitar,” who came by with a photographer. The next day he published an article entitled, “The Million Dollar Quartet,” along with a picture of the foursome gathered around the piano which included Marilyn Evans sitting on the end of the piano.

8. What happened to the recording?
Answer: Because no one knew that Clement had recorded the session and in spite of “The Million Dollar Quartet” news story, the recording went, unnoticed, into the Sun Records “library,” where it remained for decades until discovered by a new owner of Sun Records as they worked through the contents of the library. It was recorded and released in Europe in 1981 and in the United States in 1990.

9. When and how was the musical The Million Dollar Quartet created?
Answer: In 2007, the stage musical Million Dollar Quartet, written by Floyd Mutrux and Colin Escott, and based on the music and events of the original “Million Dollar Quartet” jam session, premiered. Since then, this smash hit musical, has played in Chicago, Broadway, Las Vegas, toured extensively in the US and internationally, and has a production in Branson, Missouri, at the Welk Resort Theatre.

10. Why is the name of the girlfriend of Elvis in the show named “Dyanne,” instead of Marilyn?
Answer: Marilyn Evans, literally disappeared “in plain sight” for over 52 years and, although “Dyanne” sings in the show, in real life, Marilyn did not and, except for being the date of Elvis, did not play a significant role in the events of that night. At the time the show was developed no one knew where she was so the fictitious “Dyanne” was developed to fill her expanded role in the show.

11. What happened to the real Marilyn Evens?
Answer: Marilyn Evans, now Marilyn Knowles-Riehl, was one of the few women associated with Elvis Presley who did not seek any fame or advantage from it. She placed no big significance on the event and, when the relationship with Elvis was over within a few weeks, moved on with her life, enrolled in the University of Utah within the year, got married, raised a family, and among other things was the director of the Fresno Ballet for 13 years. For over 52 years she gave the event very little thought until 2008 when she read a story about why the Million Dollar Quartet show had to create a fictitious girl-friend, named “Dyanne,” for Elvis in the show.

12. What can someone attending the Million Dollar Quartet expect?
Answer: An awesome entertainment experience! When I first saw the show I wrote, “Over the last three decades, I have seen many Branson shows of all types, but never one like the Million Dollar Quartet! An outstanding cast, timeless music that everyone knows, and a great storyline combine with the show’s unique set and great production to create an incredible entertainment experience for the whole family that should not be missed.
“Obviously, with the recording icons being portrayed and the music being sung it takes some special entertainers to pull it off, and the cast of Million Dollar Quartet does just that and then some. Tyler K. Hunter as Elvis Presley, Cliff Wright as Johnny Cash, David Brooks as Jerry Lee Lewis, and Brad Waters as Carl Perkins do an exceptional job with hits such as Matchbox “That’s All right, I Walk the Line Ghost Riders in the Sky, Hound Dog, Peace in the Valley Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On, Blue Suede Shoes, Who Do You Love, and many more. From among many, two of my personal favorite musical highlights were Ghost Riders in the Sky, sung by Johnny Cash, and Peace in the Valley, not only because of the way it was sung, but how the storyline beautifully brought each of those in the jam session personally into its performance.
“As timeless and wonderful as the music is, it is the storyline, the historical moment it describes, and the way it is artfully woven into the musical tapestry surrounding it that makes this such an entertaining show. Derek Garza as Sam Phillips, the founder of Sun Records, the man some call the “Father of “rock n’ roll,” and the person who actually set the circumstances in motion that resulted in the jam session, does a superb job of dramatically narrating the story and tying its diverse elements together in a manner that kept me keenly invested throughout the entire performance.”

For additional information or tickets for Million Dollar Quartet please contact the Branson Tourism Center, one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services, by calling 1-800-785-1550, or by visiting www.BransonTourismCenter.com https://www.bransontourismcenter.com/