Branson is where the has-beens go. It is an older audience- that's who remembers them. Andy Williams and Yakov Smirnov each have their own theatres, but we didn't go to see either. We prefer to remember Andy as he was, not how he sings at eighty years old. Mickey Gilley has his own theatre and we're sorry we didn't go.
There are over 50 theatre venues in Branson, many along the miles-long main street interspersed with stores and restaurants. The others are spread out over several miles on different roads. To "easily" (forget that at busy times) get to a theatre, you have to drive to it by following the Red Route, or the Blue Route, or the Green or the Yellow. So, even though we're only one mile away in Hollister, we have to allow at leat 45 minutes to get to the appropriate theatre.
One night, we went to the Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede, which we missed in Pigeon Forge, and enjoyed it. You get a four- course meal and a western-style show. We had very good stadium-style seats and the food was fine - you eat with your hands, even the soup. Huh? No, the soup comes in a bowl with a handle, so you drink it like coffee. Before the show (which is held in a large area), there's a good preshow magic performance in an adjoining theatre and you can also stroll the stables where the most beautiful horses are just inches away. This is probably done so they can herd you into the arena in a peaceful way.
-----To the left is Jim Stafford (hit song back in the day: "Spiders & Snakes"), who has his own theatre. Wouldn't recommend his show.-----To the right: we went to the Shoji Tabuchi show in his own theatre - he plays the violin (modern songs) and there was a really nice & professional Christmas Show - singing, dancing, etc.
