Dreamscapes Travel & Lifestyle Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dreamscapes.ca/i/725964
of China, the Presleys' Country Jubilee (no relation to Elvis), and Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede, a horse and buffalo extrava- ganza. Heck, even Barry Williams, who played Greg Brady in the popular '70s sitcom The Brady Bunch, has a variety show in Branson. STARSTRUCK This chilly fall evening, I squeeze past a car- avan of buses blocking the entrance to the Moon River Theater, home of the beloved Andy Williams Christmas Show. The lights dim, but before the curtains rise, U.S. mili- tary veterans seated in the audience are asked to stand and be recognized. I'm moved by the love in the room and find out this is a regular occurrence in Branson. After the applause, Jimmy Osmond enters with older brothers Jay and Merrill. The Lennon sisters glide on stage in their slinky red dresses. Together, they present a heartfelt tribute to Williams, who passed away a few years ago. I sing along to One Bad Apple and ABC, It's Easy as 123, while black- and-white clips of their younger selves and Williams are projected on jumbo video screens. The second half of the show is devoted to a well-crafted arrangement of Christmas jingles that remind me of the tel- evision specials I stayed up late to watch when I was a kid. The next morning after gulping down a bacon, egg and biscuit breakfast at Clockers Café in downtown Branson, I catch Dublin's Irish Tenors and the Celtic Ladies at the King's Castle Theatre. Amazed by countless costume changes, we are dazzled with Danny Boy, then an eclectic mix of hits by Glen Miller, Leonard Cohen and Adele. After the show, I join the lineup of grey-haired groupies to meet these young stars in shim- mering gowns and black tuxedos. I get used to feeling star-struck in Branson and it's no different at Mel's Hard Luck Diner where all the servers get to sing and sell their CDs. In between filling salt OPPOSITE TOP: All aboard the Showboat Branson Belle for some great food and magical entertainment. Branson/Lakes Area CVB ABOVE: Mel's Hard Luck Diner chef Larry croons classic tunes for his lunch guests while serving up cheeseburgers and fries. Rena Godfrey BELOW: Showman Shoji Tabuchi, known for his gifted fiddling and flashy jackets, delights packed audiences year-round. Branson/Lakes Area CVB FALL 2016 DREAMSCAPES 41