Toys For Tots And Cassandré Invite you to
The Americana Theatre November 26, 2010 – 2pm Show,
to Help Needy Children in Our Area!

Bring a toy, and see one of Branson’s favorite shows, Cassandré The Voice of an Angel for FREE! This special day will be Friday November 26, at the 2pm show ONLY. Please make sure your toy is new, still in original package and please make your gift a $10 to $15 value.

Special requests are being made for children 13 – 18 years of age,
CDs, DVDs, watches, wallets, bath/body sets, jewelry are perfect items for this age group!

Call The Americana Theatre at 417-339-4663

Branson High School students have organized a benefit concert and silent auction – “Songs of Hope” – for one of their fellow classmates, Taylor Poor, who suffers from Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD).  RSD is a rare, neurological disorder causing chronic pain throughout the body.  Proceeds from the concert will pay for a treatment program for Taylor that is not covered by medical insurance.  The students hope to raise the $20,000 needed for the treatment.

“Songs of Hope” will be held at the Oak Ridge Boys Theatre and is scheduled for November 7 at 3 p.m.  The concert will feature performances by Country Tonight, Paul Harris, Voices of Glory, the BHS Vocal Jazz Ensemble, Premiere Dance Academy and Maddi Bailey.

Tickets may be purchased directly from the Oak Ridge Boys Theatre box office (239-1333), Branson High School Cheerleaders, or the Branson High School Gifted students.  All tickets are $10 each.

October 19, 2010

Elvis tribute artist Joseph Hall will be moving his show to The Americana Theatre in 2011! “I am absolutely thrilled to be moving my show to the strip and to The Americana Theatre.” remarked Hall.
“I am also very excited to be working in the same theatre as The Haygoods! They are an incredible success story here in Branson!”

“Joseph is an amazing entertainer” said Timothy Haygood, director of operations for The Americana Theatre and the founding member of The Haygoods.” We saw him on NBC’s Americas Got Talent, where he placed in the top ten and loved his energy, his moves, and his voice! He is one of the best!
Girls go nuts for him, so he will be a perfect fit at our theatre”!

Joseph’s all new show will be backed by an ALL LIVE BAND. The show will be produced by Joseph Hall in conjunction with The Haygoods. “We are designing a whole new, full production show featuring many costume changes, special effects, full audio visual integration and state of the art lighting and lasers, backed by an incredible LIVE Rock ‘N’ Roll band” said Dominic Haygood, one of the Haygood brothers.” This will NOT be a standard impersonation show. It will be an incredible entertainment extravaganza featuring the music of Elvis Presley as portrayed by Joseph Hall!”

Joseph Hall has been seen on Good Morning America, NBC’s Americas Got Talent, USA Today, Fox News, and many more. He has toured through out the United States and Europe and has performed at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. He has also been officially recognized by “Elvis Presley Enterprises”.

The Haygoods are one of Branson’s longest running shows. They have performed for over 5 million people in the last 19 years and are currently the owners of The Americana Theatre in Branson, Missouri.

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Media Contact:
Chris Dodson
417-339-4663 ext. 202
theamericanatheatre.com

Wednesday, October 13, 2010 Bill Chrastil will return to Owen’s Theatre in Historic Downtown Branson with
“The Many Performances of Bill Chrastil”

Bill has been in Myrtle Beach SC since his daughter Mindy suffered a life threatening brain injury as a result of a fall.

We’re excited about Bill returning to Branson and happy to hear Mindy is improving.

Bill will be performing Wednesdays at 8 p.m. and Thursday thru Saturday at 2 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased by calling the theatre 417.336.1113.

We’re looking forward to seeing you at Owen’s Theatre for “The Many Performances of Bill Chrastil”

The Branson Arts Council is giving you a chance to relive the 80’s. The 80’s were a great time; the creation of MTV revolutionized the fashion and music industry. So we are celebrating the 80’s with a “Retro” 80’s Dance Party. Front man Bucky Heard from Legends In Concert has put together a group of Branson’s best entertainers John Sousan, Kenny Christiansen, Dino Phillips, and Scott Lancaster. Together they are the band “RETRO” They will be performing for the Branson Arts Councils “RETRO 80’s Dance Party” at Club 57 located downstairs from Dick Clarks American Bandstand Theatre on Friday September 3, 2010 starting at 10 pm.
Fans from the 80’s can rock out to their favorite bands like AC/DC, Styx, Aerosmith, The Police, Rick Springfield, Journey, Foreigner, and many more hits of the 80’s. There is a $3.00 cover charge at the door to get into the event which will benefit the Arts Council’s children’s programs “Hands On Clay” and “Children’s Youth Symphony.” Club 57 is also donating a portion of the evening’s proceeds to The Branson Arts Council.
There will be prizes for the highest hair, best 80’s attire, and door prizes all night long from Adventure Zipline, Hollywood Wax Museum, IMAX Entertainment Complex, Montana Mikes, Florentinas Italian Restorante and many more.
Fur sure, cowabunga baby, cause this party is gonna be aces! So don’t be an airhead and miss this bangin 80’s Retro Party and support The Branson Arts Council.
The Branson Arts Council provides competent, creative arts leadership to our community stressing listening and active response to needs in the arts identified by the community. “To make available artistic, cultural, and educational opportunities, and to support, strengthen and enhance these opportunities for all citizens of our community.”

The Branson Arts Council is giving you a chance to see one of Branson’s coolest shows for kids for only 5 dollars. Rock U Mentally Live is a modern day version of School House Rock. Bucky Heard and Chris Skillern join forces as two zany scientists’ along with their colorful puppets taking you on a fun filled adventure through the use of creatively designed skits, exciting original music, energizing choreography, “larger than life” costumed characters teaching children to be socially and environmentally responsible. Come join them Saturday September 4, 2010 at the Dick Clark American Bandstand THeatre for a 10 am show. A portion of the proceeds from this one day event will benefit the Branson Arts Council’s Children Programs “Hands on Clay” and “Children’s Educational Youth Symphony”
The Hands on Clay class offers children with free instruction utilizing local artists as instructors. The classes are for children ages7-12 and ages 12-16. This is a very popular summer activity held on four Saturday mornings in June/July. There is also an “Open House” at the conclusion of the program that features all of the pottery made by the students during this activity.
The Educational Youth Symphony is a partnership with the Dick Clark American Bandstand Theatre, the Springfield Symphony and the BAC. The Symphony provides an educational concert for youth in Branson. Approximately 50 symphony members brought life to the symphony for over 700 children in the Branson area. It is educational as well as very entertaining.
The Branson Arts Council provides competent, creative arts leadership to our community stressing listening and active response to needs in the arts identified by the community. “To make available artistic, cultural, and educational opportunities, and to support, strengthen and enhance these opportunities for all citizens of our community.”
The Branson Arts Council and Rock U Mentally would like to invite parents and kids of all ages to come enjoy the show and help the Branson Arts Council. Daycares, Clubs, and other organizations are invited to come as a group and enjoy the show.

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

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Contact Discovery Arts
Website: www.discoveryarts.org
Telephone: 714 637-1774
E-mail: [email protected]
Publicist: Cyrene Jagger
[email protected]
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, [email protected]

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.