Just one of the colorful and exciting acts that kids and their families will enjoy in the “Acrobats of China.”

“Kids just love all there is to do in Branson,” said Annette Wood, Director of Sales and Marketing for the Branson Tourism Center. “From lakes and go-karts, to zip lines, acrobats, tigers, rides, amusements of all kinds and live shows, one would be hard pressed to find a place anywhere in the world where kids and families together can have a more fun filled vacation than in Branson, Missouri,” she continued.

Branson is known far and wide for the quality, variety, and quantity of the live shows it offers on a daily basis. That said however, Wood points out that while the content of all Branson shows is certainly suitable for children, not all shows will be as enjoyable to younger children as some others.

In this writer’s opinion, based on observing younger children’s reactions to Branson shows over the last 30 years, their enjoyment of a show will be directly proportional to the parts of the show that appeals to the things that they like. Although there are certainly individual cases that are an exception, this typically involves color, action, or something they can relate to such as the characters, story, peer performers, appreciation for a particular type of music, or some other factor. Typically, the longer that relationship lasts throughout the show the more they will enjoy it. The following shows are among some of our most popular Branson shows that, in our opinion, do that:

Acrobats of China is a colorful fast moving “circus” type of show appealing to children because of its many different acts of strength, agility, coordination and daring, along with constant action, colorful costumes, beauty and pageantry. The same thing that makes it a great entertainment experience for children makes it a great show for adults too

These pets do some truly amazing things!

Amazing Pets will hold children’s interest from the beginning to the end. It combines the antics of well trained cats and dogs, many of whom were rescued from animal shelters, and beautiful exotic birds with costuming, and an execution that provides a great entertainment experience for children and adults alike. Without spoiling the surprise, one thing is for sure, whether it’s the most unusual marriage ceremony most people have ever seen or a duplication of the cat jumping from the wire in the movie “Big Fish,” the antics of these pets are truly “amazing.”

Buckets N Boards Comedy Percussion Show features co-creators Matt and Gareth sharing their impeccable and slightly wacky skills that include precise percussion on a variety of surfaces, accompanied by delightfully silly songs, tap dancing, and lots of laughter! Kids and families just love this show and, when not in Branson, it is one of the most requested shows on Disney Cruise Lines.

Dixie Stampede features exciting entertainment and a fantastic four-course feast eaten “Dixie Stampede Style.” “Dixie” boasts a variety of fun features that include lumberjack relay, racing pigs, buffalo, 32 beautiful horses, all presented amid constant excitement, color, and pageantry. Add in the excitement of a friendly competition and you have an adventure and entertainment experience that the whole family will be immersed in from beginning to end.

it Starring the Hughes Brothers & Their Families combines color, action, and the incredible talents of this family into one of the most entertaining shows on any Branson stage. It simultaneously entertains both adults and kids throughout the entire show. From a kid’s perspective, in addition to everything else it offers, the strategically placed peer performances from kids of various ages throughout the show, holds their interest and increases their enjoyment from the beginning to the end.

Sight and Sound’s Moses brings the classic Bible story to life in an exciting production on their 300-foot surround stage. The color, excitement, live animals coming on an off stage, astonishing sets, stunning costumes, and a story that most kids can relate to combine in a spectacular production that will hold the interests of kids and their families throughout the whole show.

What kid doesn’t love magic? Here are two of Branson’s best:

Illusionist Rick Thomas will have you wondering if it’s only an illusion…or truly magic? He uses his exceptional showmanship and incredible gracefulness, honed by years of ballroom dancing, to present a Branson show of stunning illusions and spectacular beauty! In doing so, he demonstrates an amazing ability to interact with the kids in the audience, actually uses some of them in his illusions, and has a special inspiring message for them.

The amazing Reza!

Reza – Edge of Illusion, starring the magical master illusionist Reza, will bewilder and befuddle your brain with everything from big dazzling illusions to charming sleight of-hand trickery! He always leaves his audiences scratching their heads; struggling to rationalize what their eyes have seen with what they know is humanly possible! He is a young magician and kids love not only his magic, but the relationship he builds with them as he shares his cutting edge magic with them and get them invested in his performance.

For additional information or tickets for any of these shows or any of Branson’s other shows and attractions or for lodging arrangements please contact the Branson Tourism Center (BTC), one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services. BTC can be reached by either calling their toll free number 1-800-785-1550 or through their website www.BransonTourismCenter.com.

“The renaming of the Andy William’s Moon River Theatre to the Andy Williams Performing Arts Center and Theatre (AWPAC) is really calling it what it was really meant to be by Andy’s design,” said Jimmy Osmond in a recent interview. He points out that, although used primarily as a theatre, the building was designed as a multi-use performance space that can handle large and small scale productions of various types of performing arts from Broadway productions, to concerts, dance, drama, music, and more. “Another important aspect of AWPAC’s operation is our performing arts educational efforts through our affiliations with various colleges and other schools where we work with their students to provide mentor ship programs and offer practical first-hand experience in an actual working environment,” he added.

Osmond is really pleased with the amazing, magical, and star studded entertainment that will be presented in the AWPAC during 2016. He said, “From magic and comedy, to music from just about every genre, concerts and spectacular productions, we are offering Branson visitors a wide variety of entertainment that follows the Andy Williams tradition for variety and quality.” The schedule is a blend of short, mostly one-day limited engagement performances by national stars such as Jennifer Nettles, LeAnn Rimes, Loretta Lynn, Ray Stevens, and others with extended performances from our resident shows, such as the magic of Illusionist Rick Thomas and the Andy Williams Christmas Spectacular starring the Osmonds and Lennon Sisters.

The full schedule of shows and concerts, as of March 22, is listed below sorted by the date of their first performance.

Illusionist Rick Thomas:  Mar 11 – Oct 29^*
CMT Presents Jennifer Nettles with 2016 Next Women of Country Tour:  Apr 8
Moon River and Me:  Apr 28 – May 12^*
LeAnn Rimes:  Apr 29
The Lettermen :  May 13 – June 4 and Sep 1 – Dec 10^*
Ray Stevens:  May 14
Rockapella:  June 13 – Jul 16^*
MJ LIVE:  Sep 24
Bill Engvall:  Oct 7
David Cassidy:  Oct 15
Loretta Lynn :  Oct 22
Jeanne Robertson:  Oct 29
Andy Williams Christmas Extravaganza:  Nov 1 – Dec 10^*
Hallmark Presents Maxine’s Christmas Carol:  Nov 1 – Dec 10^*
Southern Fried Chicks:  Nov 1
James Gregory with Keith Alberstadt:  Nov 3 – 5

Osmond says that the excitement they feel about the variety and talent of the nationally known entertainers coming in for limited engagement performances extends to their extended performance and resident shows which include:

Illusionist Rick Thomas: In a recent review of this show I wrote, “From the time the show starts until it ends with a ‘blast,’ it’s two hours of truly magical non-stop entertainment with a variety of illusions; close up magic; what I call ‘mind magic;’ doves, dogs, color, brightness, dancing, music and action that will ‘knock your socks off.’ The magic is illusionary, but the fun, excitement and enjoyment I experienced, and witnessed others enjoying was real.'”

The Lettermen: Continue to be one of music’s most romantic pop groups, making them an excellent show for couples; and with that untarnished, all-American image, every performance is perfect to share with the family! Although their biggest hits graced the airwaves back in the 60’s, that classic sound has endured in the decades since, thrilling their long-time fans and finding a new audience with a younger generation.

Andy Williams Christmas Extravaganza:  This special show is a shining example of why there’s no place like Christmas in Branson.  Carrying on the tradition of “Mr. Christmas,” the late and much-loved singer Andy Williams, famous sibling acts – The Lennons and The Osmonds – headline one of Branson’s hottest Christmas shows, in a not to be missed production filled with the spirit of Christmas, gorgeous costumes, festive sets, and amazing Christmas music!

Hallmark Presents Maxine’s Christmas Carol:  With this show, Branson has a holiday show even the Grinch would envy! Charles Dickens could never have imagined the role of Scrooge inhabited by a sassy sourpuss like Maxine. The call-it-like-she-sees-it, lovable curmudgeon delivers the iconic story with song, dance, and a heaping helping of merry and mirth, sprinkled with the best of her rude mood, and just a dash of attitude! Introduced to us by way of greeting card covers from Hallmark, the self-appointed Queen of Crabbiness, Maxine, has been a popular Hallmark character for over three decades and is now making her debut in Branson for Christmas 2016.

For additional information on any of the shows at the Andy Williams Performing Arts Center and Theatre, or any of the many other exciting things there are to do in Branson, please feel free to contact the Branson Tourism Center and talk with one of their Branson-based Travel Planners. They’ll be delighted to assist you! BTC can be reached by calling 1-800-785-1550 from 8:00 AM to 9:30 PM seven days a week, or through its website www.BransonTourismCenter.com.

* Indicates  extended performance or resident show.

JC Brando as “Adele,” top right, Michael Knight and Elizabeth Scarborough as “Michael Jackson” and “Taylor Swift,” Dean Z as “Elvis “and the “Blues Brothers™.”

“We are just so excited to be starting our 20th anniversary season in Branson,” said Legends in Concert General Manager, Jeannie Horton. “The star studded lineup is mind blowing, even by Legends in Concert standards. It is designed to meet the changing demographics of our audience as they change throughout the season, and provides them with the stars that they have most often requested,” she added.

Horton points out that, in addition to the seasonal star-studded guest lineup, every performance of Branson’s Legends in Concert includes a Blues Brothers™ and Elvis tribute. The always entertaining, energetic, and exciting Blues Brothers™ tribute is performed by Clint Nievar. and Danny Zeligman. For the 2016 season, the Elvis Tribute will be performed by a rotation of noted Elvis tribute artists such as Bill Cherry, Cody Ray Slaughter, and Ted Torres, except when Dean Z is performing the tribute May 1 through the end of August, and November 1 through the end of the year.

Jeannie is excited about the opening lineup for the spring season, which started February 5. It includes a powerful tribute to Tina Turner and the Ikettes as Lori Mitchell-Gay opens the show with her always crowd-pleasing rendition of “Proud Mary;” Paul Eve’s tribute to Johnny Cash, including “Ring of Fire”, “Folsom Prison Blues,” and other hits; the crazy antics of The Blues Brothers™ that will just make “Everybody” want to “Shout;” Michael Knight’s return as Michael Jackson, starting off his set with a medley of hits from The Jackson Five, and working his way up to “Thriller” and “Billie Jean,” and the return of Bill Cherry as Elvis Presley, performing #1 hits from The Jumpsuit Era, like “See See Ryder” and “My Way.”

Here’s the amazing 20^th anniversary Legends in Concert 2016 lineup of stars, by season:

Spring: February 5 – May 17

Johnny Cash, Tina Turner, The Blues Brothers™, and Elvis through May 17, with Michael Jackson from February 5 through April 30, and Michael Bublé from May 1 through May 17.

Summer: May 19 – September 6

Johnny Cash, Kenny Chesney, Michael Jackson, The Blues Brothers™, and Elvis through September 6, with Taylor Swift from June 1 through August 15, and Martina McBride from August 16 through September 6.

Fall: September 8 through October 31

Barry White, Marilyn Monroe, Alan Jackson, The Blues Brothers™, and Elvis

Christmas: November 1 through January 2

Frank Sinatra, George Strait, Adele, The Blues Brothers™, and Elvis

And, it gets better! Although the obvious stars of the show are the tribute artists, it is the manner in which their individual talents and personalities are integrated with the show’s extremely talented dancers, vocalists, and live band, into a series of unique, exciting, and entertaining “mini concerts,” that makes Legends in Concert a spectacular and entertaining production that holds the interest of the audience from beginning to end.

For additional information or tickets for Legends in Concert, or any of Branson’s other shows and attractions, or for lodging arrangements, please feel free to contact the Branson Tourism Center, one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services; call 1-800-785-1550 or visit www.BransonTourismCenter.com.

“While maintaining its inspirational biblical perspective, Moses is the most spectacular, technologically advanced, show that Sight & Sound Theaters has ever put on stage,” said Mike Pitman, the Business Development Manager for the theatres. He said that people expect the inspirational and spectacular from Sight & Sound, but Moses takes it to an entirely new level.

“Wow, that’s saying a lot when you consider the spectacular productions, such as Noah – the Musical, Miracle of Christmas, Joseph, and Jonah, that Sight & Sound has become legendary for,” said Annette Wood, the Director of Sales and Marketing for the Branson Tourism Center. She points out that the legend will continue with the Branson premier of Moses on March 2, 2016.

This powerful and epic biblical story follows Moses on his quest for personal identity; what that meant as he decided to follow his God and, unbeknownst to him at the time, change the course of human history. Journey back to that time with your family and witness some of the greatest moments in biblical history; experience the exhilaration and celebration of the Israelites as they brush past you on their path to freedom; feel God’s awe-inspiring power as you sit in the midst of the parted Red Sea, and the moment God first speaks to Moses at the burning bush, all presented as only Sight and Sound can depict.

When asked what his favorite scene in the show was, Pitman, who has seen the show in Lancaster, PA, said that it would be difficult to pick just one because of the scope of what the show covers, the incredible cast, and the spectacular special effects. Would it be the awe-inspiring feeling he got sitting there when all of a sudden he felt a gush of air as he found himself in the midst of the parting of the Red Sea; the impactful and powerful scene at the top of the mountain when God first speaks to Moses at the “burning bush;” or one of the show’s many other inspirational and exciting scenes?

Parting of the Red Sea.

“The show has incredible special effects throughout that leave people asking, ‘How did they do that?'” Pitman said. Another of his favorite scenes illustrating that point is where the staff of Moses turns into a snake, crawls down a stair banister, and turns back into a staff again. He loves the way that this enables the audience to feel like they are literally with Moses, surrounded by the mountains, at the “burning bush,” and in the Red Sea when it parts around the Israelites as they escape Pharaoh’s wrath.

He points out that another interesting aspect of the production is the way it shows how the Israelites were treated as slaves, and their celebration at being freed as they rush right through the audience on their path to freedom. You realize the true exhilaration they had because God answered their prayers. “It’s pretty powerful,” he said.

Pitman points out that there are cast members and live animals transitioning to and from the stage, in and around the audience, periodically, throughout the show, and that people are not permitted to enter the auditorium for seating while that’s happening. In order to ensure that you’ll not miss part of the show, he strongly suggests that audience members be in their seats before the show starts and by the end of intermission.

Branson Tourism Center’s Wood said that Moses will run through December 31, 2016, and that tickets for Moses are currently available through the Branson Tourism Center. She recommends getting them early to ensure not only availability on desired dates, but the best available seats. For additional information or tickets for Moses, or any of Branson’s other shows and attractions, or for lodging arrangements, please feel free to contact the Branson Tourism Center, one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services; call 1-800-785-1550 or visit www.BransonTourismCenter.com .

Dave and Denise Hamner with some of their winged friends during their astonishing bird illusion.

Branson has a number of fabulous magic shows, but only one offers a variety of high quality entertainment along with world class illusions, sleight-of-hand, and a Veterans salute that is truly as monumental as it is magical, Hamners’ Unbelievable Variety Show,” said Annette Wood, Director of Sales and Marketing for the Branson Tourism Center. Dave Hamner who, along with his lovely wife Denise, not only produces the show, but stars in it, said, “The show is magically reminiscent of the format of the current NBC prime time hit show, America’s Got Talent, and also of one of the greatest variety shows to ever appear on TV, The Ed Sullivan Show. From magic to great vocals, to comedy, and more, the constantly changing mixture of different types of entertainment, color, and action provides a magical and exciting experience that will have our audience sitting on the edge of their seats anticipating what’s coming next.”

Hamner is really excited about the changes in the show this year, saying that both the award-winning vocalist, Tamera Tinoco, and impressionist Jeff Brandt, are working on some great new material for the show. “We might even see a little Journey,” he chuckled.

Everyone’s favorite, the loveable Gakita the gorilla, will be returning, as will dancers AJ Heard, Ken Brown, and Mariya Serykh. The father-daughter team of Vadim & Mariya will again amaze audiences with their strength, balancing adagio, and high-flying silk act. New this year will be the comedy of Ken Brown, featured in various ways throughout the show.

The magic and illusions of Dave and Denise Hamner will be the focal point of the show. Their signature, one-of-a-kind bird act, with flaming swords, coins, and beautiful Macaws and Cockatoos appearing and flying out over the audience; seeing the transformation of a beautiful woman into “Gakita” the gorilla, and their award-winning Veterans Finale, are just a part of the “magic” that these two masters of illusion perform throughout the show.

Although he wouldn’t reveal what it was, Hamner said that he can’t wait to perform the new comedic illusion they are preparing for this season in cooperation with Don Wayne, a brilliant designer of magic illusions, who has worked with David Copperfield. And that’s just one of the new illusions being added to the show including the resurrection of a favorite from the past, Stargate.

Hamner said that from little kids, to grandma and grandpa, this is a show that the whole family will enjoy, one where they’ll have a great time together. Hamners’ Unbelievable Variety Show premiers its 2016 Branson season on March 8. For more information, or tickets please contact the Branson Tourism Center by calling 1-800-785-1550 from 8:00 AM to 9:30 PM seven days a week, or through its website www.BransonTourismCenter.com.