The McCoy-Rigby Entertainment Production of Peter Pan, starring Cathy Rigby, returns to The Mansion Theater in Branson, Missouri giving local youth the chance to win a Walk-on part with the cast and the opportunity to help children battling cancer, benefiting the non-profit organization Discovery Arts.

Branson, MO – July 17, 2010 — Eight time Olympic Gold Medal winner, Actress and Speaker, Cathy Rigby returns to the Mansion Theater in Branson Missouri in the McCoy-Rigby Entertainment Production of Peter Pan, as the enduring swashbuckling lead character. Rigby will perform 8 shows a week through August 15, 2010.

As Spokesperson and Board Member for Discovery Arts, Ms. Rigby has teamed up with Discovery Arts’ Executive Director, Marilyn Clements, to offer children the opportunity to win a Walk-on during the second act of Peter Pan, and also fly at the end of the show, with the purchase of a Discovery Arts Peter Pan Adventure Ticket.

Discovery Arts Peter Pan Adventure Tickets can be purchased during each showing of Peter Pan at the Mansion Theater. A winning ticket will be announced during intermission of each performance; the lucky ticket bearer will then have a Walk-on part in the performance and will also fly at the end of the show.

Proceeds of Discovery Arts Peter Pan Adventure Tickets will go directly to benefit Discovery Arts Adventure Programs for children currently undergoing cancer and life-threatening illness treatments in the hospitals which they serve.

Discovery Arts uses the arts as tools to help children step outside the confines of their illness and into the world of creativity and imagination by bringing “Art Adventures” to the bedsides of pediatric cancer patients in six Southern California Cancer Treatment Hospitals.

“Seeing these children and their families first hand really makes you grateful for your own healthy children. I am excited to be the Spokesperson for Discovery Arts and to be a part of something that gives children who are undergoing cancer treatment a creative fun filled way to express themselves, while in an environment that is far from normal…. for these kids, normalcy is their greatest wish. Discovery Arts proves that anything is possible.” said Cathy Rigby.

In her recurring musical theatrical role as Peter Pan, Rigby has witnessed firsthand the positive impact of imagination and creative play for seriously ill young audience members. She said, “Many children with special needs come to visit after the shows. Some express their desire to fly like Peter despite their illness, some have asked me to ‘fly’ to their home and take them to Neverland, and some just want ‘Peter’ to sprinkle them with a little fairy dust. Each child has incredible creativity, imagination and such courage! Through Discovery Arts, I want to bring the wonderful healing powers of theater arts right to their bedside!”

Cathy Rigby earned a Tony nomination when she starred in the 35th Anniversary production of Peter Pan on Broadway. In addition to her lauded roles on Broadway and national and regional theatrical tours, she has performed in various TV movies. She has been honored with the National Broadway Theatre Award’s 2004 Distinguished Lifetime Service Award from The League of American Theatres and Producers, Inc. Tom McCoy of McCoy-Rigby Entertainment is also Board Member of Discovery Arts, since 1994 Mr. McCoy has been Executive Producer of the McCoy-Rigby Entertainment series at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts. McCoy-Rigby Entertainment recently opened the McCoy Rigby Conservatory of the Arts in Yorba Linda California. With 550 students, McCoy Rigby Conservatory of the Arts is dedicated to teaching youth excellence in dance.

Discovery Arts Peter Pan Adventure Tickets can be purchased during performances of Peter Pan at the Mansion Theater by Parents, Grandparents, and Guardians in kind naming the child entered to win the Discovery Arts Peter Pan Adventure with Cathy Rigby during each performance.
Discovery Arts serves over 3,500 children and their families each year. With programs at Mattel Children’s Hospital at UCLA, Children’s Hospital of Orange County, Miller Children’s Hospital, Jonathan Jaques Children’s Cancer Center at Millers, CHOC at Mission and Fountain Valley Hospital. All of Discovery Arts programs and services are free of charge to the hospitals, patients and their families, relying on the generosity of individuals, corporations, fundraisers such as the Peter Pan Adventure Ticket, and grants. “We began serving children in a small 14 bed unit at Jonathan Jaques Children’s Cancer Center. We are now honored to serve more than 3500 children and their families each year, doing 9 programs in 6 southern California hospitals,” said Executive Director, Marilyn Clements.
The National Cancer Institute states, “Children with cancer have enormous emotional needs, they need a safe place to express their feelings about their illness; they need relief from the pain and chaos of critical illness; they desperately need fun and normalcy”.

For more information on the treatment of children with cancer see: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/youngpeople

Discovery Arts Peter Pan Adventure Tickets can be purchased during performances of Peter Pan at the Mansion Theater in Branson.

For tickets to Peter Pan, please call The Mansion Theatre: (866) 707-4100

Peter Pan Schedule of Performances: http://www.themansiontheatre.com/cal/events/images/shows/peterpan.pdf

JOIN DISCOVERY ARTS’ CIRCLE OF FRIENDS:
Your support of just $15 a month will help bring “Arts Adventures” to a child with cancer, serious blood disorder or life threatening illness while they are in the hospital receiving treatment. Donations are graciously accepted online at: http://www.discoveryarts.org/donate-to-children-with-cancer.htm

###

Contact Discovery Arts
Website: www.discoveryarts.org
Telephone: 714 637-1774
E-mail: info@discoveryarts.org
Publicist: Cyrene Jagger
cjagger@discoveryarts.org
951.795.4455

About Discovery Arts:
Discovery Arts was created in 1993 by a dedicated group of entertainment industry professionals who began volunteering their time and talents to bring music, dance, art and drama to children with cancer, serious blood disorders and life threatening illness while they are in the hospital receiving treatment.
In recognition of the powerful impact of the arts on these children, Discovery Arts was formally incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit agency in 1998 with a mission to expand the delivery of “Arts Adventures” to many more children in many more hospitals. All of Discovery Arts programs and services are offered free of charge to the hospitals, patients and their families. Website: www.discoveryarts.org
About Cathy Rigby:
Cathy Rigby earned a Tony nomination when she starred in the 35th Anniversary production of Peter Pan on Broadway. Subsequently, her multiple talents have been lauded on Broadway at the Richard Rodgers Theatre as the Cat-In-The-Hat in Seussical the Musical. Other National and Regional tours include Annie Get Your Gun, Meet Me In St. Louis, South Pacific, Paint Your Wagon, The Unsinkable Molly Brown. Most recently Cathy Starred in AR Gurneys Silvia, to rave reviews at the La Mirada Theater for the Performing Arts.

Some of Rigby’s dramatic television movie credits include the “Perfect Body,” “Hard To Read,” “The Great Wallendas,” “Triathlon,” and the Emmy-nominated “Peter Pan” for A&E. A two-time Olympic gymnast, Cathy Rigby is the first American woman to win a medal in the World Gymnastics Competition and holds 12 international medals, eight of them gold. Cathy worked with ABC as a gymnastic commentator for 18 years. ABC-TV’s venerable “Wide World of Sports” named her one of America’s Most Influential Women in Sports. Cathy and her husband, Tom McCoy are Executive Producers of the McCoy-Rigby Entertainment Series at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts.

About McCoy-Rigby Entertainment:
www.mccoyrigby.com

Tom McCoy, of McCoy-Rigby Entertainment is also Board Member of Discovery Arts. McCoy-Rigby Entertainment recently opened the McCoy Rigby Conservatory of the Arts in Yorba Linda California. With 550 students, McCoy Rigby Conservatory of the Arts is dedicated to teaching youth excellence in dance. Since 1994, Tom McCoy has been Executive Producer of the McCoy-Rigby Entertainment series at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts.

McCoy-Rigby Credits include; Broadway: Peter Pan, Starring Cathy Rigby 1990, 1998, 1999, and 2005. National Tours: Seussical The Musical starring Cathy Rigby; Jesus Christ Superstar; and Annie Get Your Gun starring Cathy Rigby, and in 2007 the national tour of Camelot, starring Michael York. A & E Television Network Premiere of “Peter Pan,” Historic All Star Concert for Pope John Paul II; award winning documentary on “Balancing Wellness.” Many, many Emmy, Tony, and LA Theater Award nominations….some actual awards! McCoy-Rigby Entertainment has just purchased McCoy Rigby Dance Academy in Yorba Linda California. With 550 students, McCoy Rigby Dance Academy is dedicated to teaching our youth excellence in dance.

On Friday, July 9, 2010, Irish music returns to Branson. “Eire & Brimstone” will be performing original and traditional Celtic-themed rock & roll music at Waxy O’Shea’s Irish Pub at Branson Landing, beginning at 10 PM, July 9.

Eire & Brimstone’s music runs the gamut from covers of favorites by U2, Flogging Molly and Great Big Sea, to new tunes like “Kings of Ireland” and “Everyone’s Irish Tonight”, penned by the band. Eire & Brimstone brings a decidedly acoustic-rock perspective on classic pub tunes like “Whiskey in the Jar” and “Wild Rover”, while retaining the folk sensibility of an Irish “trad session” band.

Excellent performers make Eire & Brimstone’s sound. With fiddle, acoustic guitar and mandolin leading the instrumentation, it’s easy to see that this is a different sort of Irish rock band than Branson has seen previously. Fan favorites “Dirty Old Towne” performed for several years with a hard-edged electric, Irish sound that was well-received in Branson. Sadly, Dirty Old Towne split in late 2009.

Helping to fill the void on the Branson music scene is Dan Richards, Dirty Old Towne alum, who anchors a driving acoustic rhythm section for Eire & Brimstone. Also in the band is seasoned performer Bonnie Riley, who is a fiddle champion, and plays locally with Delene, Joey Riley (no relation), and Penny Gilley. You will also hear mandolinist Sam Clanton, a Hometown Radio disc jockey. Tony King, host of Grand Country’s Amazing Pets show, is keeping time on drums. You have probably seen and heard upright bass player Todd Plympton, even if you don’t know him by name. He has played with numerous local bands in the past decade, most recently with Stolen Windows. Singing and writing original tunes is Michael Horn, guitarist from Branson’s Circle B Supper Show.

You will see kilt-clad lads at the Eire & Brimstone shows. You will be invited to join in toasts. And you should expect to hear everything from The Pogues to Violent Femmes – music that makes the pints go down easy and gets people up on their feet. Eire & Brimstone: Rock & Roll with a Celtic Soul!

Check out Eire & Brimstone at Waxy O’Shea’s on Branson Landing Friday July 9, beginning at 10 PM.

Ray Stevens Returns To Branson!

(Branson, Missouri) – Multi-platinum recording artist, songwriter, two-time Grammy winner and Branson legend Ray Stevens returns to the town he helped put on the map, with the show that audiences have been clamoring for! Ray returns for a special celebration of 50 years in the music business with a six week run at The Welk Resort Theatre from September 15th thru October 23rd. With over 14 million singles, albums and videos sold in his career, Ray Stevens brings all of his hits to the Welk Resort stage: from the hilarious “Ahab the Arab”, “It’s Me Again Margaret”, “Mississippi Squirrel” and “The Streak” to his new hit “We The People” and the classic “Everything Is Beautiful”.

Born in Clarkdale, Georgia, Ray Stevens started playing the piano at 6 years old. He knew then that music would be his life and he pursued a career that has spanned the entertainment world. In 1962, he recorded “Ahab The Arab” his first Top 5 hit. At the same time, he was living in Nashville, singing and playing on recordings for Elvis Presley, and working with the great Chet Atkins, as well as recording for numerous Pop and Country artists of the day. After recording hits including “Harry the Hairy Ape” and “Santa Claus is Watching You”, Ray was also busy producing other artists, including a young Country singer named Dolly Parton.

In 1970, Ray appeared on The Andy Williams Show, and was asked to be the host for Williams’ summer replacement show on NBC. Ray knew he needed a hit song for the show, and the end result of three days spent in his basement writing was “Everything Is Beautiful”, his first #1 hit on the Pop charts, and the song that won him his first Grammy for Male Vocalist of The Year.

In 1974, while flying to Los Angeles, Ray read an article about a new fad among college students called “streaking”. Inspired, he jotted down a few notes and when he got home, he wrote “The Streak”, Ray’s second #1 hit on the Pop Charts. For the next 10 years, Ray would record chart-topping hits, including “Shriners Convention”, “Mississippi Squirrel Revival” and “It’s Me Again Margaret”.

1991 brought the opening of his two thousand seat Ray Stevens Theatre in Branson, Missouri. Considered one of the pioneers of the “Branson Boom”, Ray performed 12 shows a week during the season to over 1.6 million fans. During the next two years, Ray would include his Branson show in his video releases, selling millions of videos worldwide. After 1993, Ray decided to take his show on the road, but still owned his theatre in Branson, and leased it to other productions. In 2004, he returned to Branson and reopened his show for two more seasons, finally closing at the end of 2005.

For years, Branson audiences have asked, “When will Ray be back?” Now, after 5 years, Ray Stevens returns to Branson with all of his hits, all of his laughs and what he promises will be his best show yet.

The Ray Stevens Show schedule covers six weeks; September 15th through October 23rd. Performance times: 2 and 8pm Wednesday and Thursday, and 8pm Friday and Saturday. Prices range from $44.00 (elite seating + tax) to $39.00 (adults + tax) and $19.00 for children and are available by phone at 800-505-9355 or on-line at WelkResortBranson.com.

For Immediate Release
Date: May 18, 2010
Contact: Fred Athay, 417-559-5170, fredathay@hotmail.com

Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre opens in Branson

Branson – It would seem that something goes wrong in every wedding. Usually these make for funny stories after the fact. But who would’ve thought that a death at a wedding would be good for so many laughs. And not just a death…a murder.

Detectives, clowns, millionaires and musicians converge in Til Death Do We Part, a new interactive comedy about a wedding gone wrong performed by Ozarks Murder Mysteries at the Circle B Theatre.

In ‘Til Death Do We Part, old loves, rivalries and ambitions surface as a wedding is interrupted by murder. Not only is the audience challenged to determine whodunit, they are drawn into the events themselves.

Guests interact with the characters during dinner – a pre-wedding reception provided by Showtime Catering, and later attempt to solve the mystery over wedding cake.

Fred Athay, managing director of Ozark Murder Mysteries, believes there is fertile soil for comedy theater in Branson, which is known more for music and comedy revues.

“It’s something very unique to Branson,” said Fred Athay, managing director of Ozark Murder Mysteries. “There isn’t really anything like it. I’ve thought for years that a show that’s scripted and well acted, yet interactive with the audience, would be successful here.”

Sam Hoover plays the lead role of Bruce Montgomery, the groom engaged to marry millionaire heiress Tina Louise, played by Kim Fertig. Other cast members include Kerry Richardson as the folksy father of the bride, Karen Richardson as the manipulative mother of the groom, Rick Swan as the ex-boyfriend, Angela Walker as the ex-girlfriend, and Blake Walker as the intoxicated judge. Other cast members include Tim Adkins, Heather Beyer, Sam Brotherton, Norma Judah, Jenna Murphy, Lisa Murphy, Jessica Nordberg, Lisa Straka, Nancy Town, and Amie White.

Athay says the response from the groups initial performances has been very positive.

“We’ve actually had people saying they haven’t laughed this hard in years,” Athay said. “The response has been really encouraging. The talent and the commitment of the cast tells me that this is really going to be great. But the audience response to the story itself is also really positive.”

Dinner shows are performed Sunday evenings at the Circle B Theatre. Doors open at 6 and dinner is served at 6:30. Call 417-336-1828 or 800-678-6179 for reservations.

Beginning Saturday, the Presley family will be seen weekly in more than 40 million homes. Their half-hour music and variety series premiers at 6:30 p.m. “Presleys Country Jubilee” stars three generations of the family, and the producers have added guest appearances by other Branson performers.

The show airs during the six-hour Saturday night schedule of continuous music and entertainment that earns high Nielsen ratings. It follows “Reno’s Old Time Music Festival” and precedes “The Marty Stuart Show.” The channel is carried by systems including DISH Network, DIRECTV, Comcast, Mediacom, Time Warner and more than 600 rural cable systems.

Source: BLACC/CVB

Branson High School Performing Arts gave their premier performance of its production of “West Side Story” on Feb. 25. The musical is a love story set in the 1950’s focusing on the rivalry between two teenage street gangs of different ethnic and cultural backgrounds.  The original production opened on Broadway in 1957.

Remaining scheduled performances of West Side Story include February 26 and 27 at 7 p.m. and a matinee on February 28 at 2 p.m.  All tickets are $6 and may be purchased at the door on the date of the performance.  Tickets may be reserved by sending an e-mail to the following address: corbind@branson.k12.mo.us Reserved tickets may be picked up at the door prior to the performance.

West Side Story is under the direction of Debbie Corbin (drama), Billy Gowers (chorus) and John Kerley (orchestra).

Editors Note: Saw the opening performance. These kids and everyone involved with the show have worked real hard and put in lots of hours and it shows. This is wonderful entertainment. Don’t miss it.

For all philanthropic citizens and lovers-of-theatre, Tri-Lakes Community
Theatre’sSEASON PREMEIRE RECEPTION is being held following opening night of “Pirates of Penzance,” Friday,
January 29 at the Branson Star Theatre next to Olive Garden.

This special reception is in recognition of those that support Tri-Lakes Community Theatre (TLC) and its ideals of entertainment, opportunity
and education.Over the last decades, TLC – a not for profit 501C3 organization – has distributed over $20,000 in scholarship funds and produced over 60 shows
for and with citizens of the Tri-Lakes area and performed in dozens of local theaters. This reception is in your honor and will help ensure future
opportunities for those interested in the arts.

The reception is free to those of TLC Supporting Membership status and up. To become a supporting member and receive two free tickets to
each show this season and attend the reception, a donation of $100 is asked per couple.Please call 417-337-0190 by Jan. 22 for reception reservations.

Pirates of Penzance
Fridays & Saturdays, Jan. 29 & 30 and Feb. 5 & 6 at 7 p.m.
Sunday matinees Jan. 31 & Feb. 7 at 2 p.m

A Night of Comedy One-Acts!
Fridays & Saturdays, Feb. 19 & 20 and Feb. 26 & 27 at 7 p.m.
Sunday matinees Feb. 21 & 28 at 2 p.m.

Branson area business owners have been thinking about spring for months. On Tuesday, Jan. 12, more than 15 presenters will preview dozens of special events planned for March through May at the OMS Community Presentation & Press Conference at 10 a.m. in the Keeter Center on the campus of College of the Ozarks.

Ozark Mountain Spring was selected as the way to package and publicize the many events taking place during those months, said Kathleen Bullock, Tourism Development Director for the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce. The goal was to identify the season, much like Ozark Mountain Christmas, a recognizable seasonal campaign which draws many visitors each year.

“This is our second year building on the success of last year, and we’re running full steam ahead,” Bullock said.
One highlight of this spring’s events is Silver Dollar City’s 50th Birthday Celebration, and they’ll use the occasion to look toward the future, said spokeswoman Lisa Rau. That includes the new $7 million Tom & Huck’s River Blast attraction. “We have a responsibility to always grow the market, and to promote the past, present and future of Branson,” Rau said. “This water raft ride is the biggest water battle in America, and it harkens back to the mighty White River.”

A returning event is the Wal-Mart FLW Bass Fishing Tournament March 3-6, said fishing enthusiast Tate Womack, director of sales at the Jim Stafford Theatre. Last year, 150 fishing pros competed on Table Rock Lake for the top prize of $100,000.     The weigh-in and awards held at the Branson Convention Center drew more than 12,000 people to the tourney’s Family Fun Zone featuring climbing walls, a chance to get the pros’ autographs, Branson entertainers and more, Womack said. “It was standing room only,” he said.

A first-time event is “See The World In Branson,” a project of the Branson Area Receptive Association. Area businesses select a country to highlight, and more than 27 are already making plans ranging from the Hughes Brothers’ tribute to their Scandinavian heritage to Australian cowboy music by Ricky Boen at the Hamner Barber Theatre.

As part of its continuing commitment to serving the community, Branson Tourism Center, one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services and sellers of Branson show and attraction tickets and lodging, is proud to sponsor this press release on this site.

Country music’s Gene Williams provides one of country’s newest groups, “New Trick,” a stage for a nationwide premier of its first music video on the Jan. 9 and 10 broadcast of the “Gene Williams Country Music Television Show.” Click here for full press release.

Publication of this press release, on this site, sponsored by Branson Tourism Center (BTC) one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services and sellers of Branson Show tickets, attraction tickets, and lodging. BTC can be reached by calling 800-785-1550 or through its website www.BransonTourismCenter.com.

Pointe Royale Golf Club is in the January issue of Golf Digest in the article “New Courses, Good Deals.” Pointe Royale is among courses with rates under $65. Pointe Royale Golf Village completed a $1.5 million redo in April after a $3 million remodeling of the clubhouse.