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TONY ORLANDO and the LENNON SISTERS are back again at the Welk Theater in Branson.

By Bob Lindsey

Early into Tony Orlando’s Christmas show, he answers the question, “why does Branson start the Christmas season way before Thanksgiving? “Because Andy Williams wanted it that way,” said Orlando, another of the long-time Christmas entertainers in this southwest Missouri entertainment center.

But judging by the crowds, the interest is there as folks pack into Branson earlier every year for the Ozark Mountain Christmas season that starts the first week of November and runs until mid-December for most shows.

Orlando is back with the ageless Lennon Sisters for their show at the Welk Theater, located a few miles off the Branson strip (Highway 76). After nearly a year-long break to finish his book, the also ageless Andy Williams is back at his Moon River Theater, one of the most festive-looking theaters in Branson.

He was also the grand marshal of the Holiday Promenade of Stars parade that officially kicked off the season on Nov.7.

Tony  Orlando, Lennon Sisters

Although we didn’t see Andy on this visit, we did get to see Tony Orlando for the first time. His show at the Welk Theater shares the stage with three of the Lennon Sisters who perform the first half with an array of holiday and related songs like the appropriate “Sisters” from Irving Berlin’s White Christmas. Kathie, Mimi and Janet between sets tell stories and show slides and movies from their days on Ed Sullivan and Lawrence Welk

The girls would sneak back to their dressing rooms and listen to the early rock ‘n roll songs on Janet’s transistor radio. When they asked Welk about including a medley of rock songs, he told them he didn’t think, “it would be appropriate for his audience.” The sisters, however, thought it was perfect for the current Branson boomers and they did a nice rendition of their favorite ’50s and early ’60s songs.

Orlando, now 65, mixed Christmas songs with many of his hits he recorded with Dawn such as , of course, “Tie and Yellow Ribbon” and “Knock 3 Times” One of the show highlights was the songs and appearance of  the giant  15-foot tall puppets of rock icons Chubby Checker, Little Richard, the Everly Brothers and of course Elvis. (www.welkresortbranson.com)

Famous Russian Comedian

We also had the opportunity to see a Christmas show at the Russian comic Yakov’s  theater, where  a little New Year’s in Russia and the U.S. are added.  Yakov is still the main ingredient with his storytelling, corny but still funny jokes usually ending with “I bet you never thought of it that way. but you will now.”  The show throws in Lady Liberty, a skit if Yakov was President, and a band of pirates.

This is a delightful 2 1/2 hour morning show (it starts at 9:30) for all ages, mixing music, Russian and American dancers, wit and some of his intellectual insight into today’s world. (www.yakov.com)

Dino, the Liberace of Branson, has 2 and 8 p.m. shows at Yakov’s Theater. We saw his Christmas show last year and his talents are evident on the keyboard. With his talented wife Cheryl Katsonakis, Dino  celebrates the “reason for the season.”

Other new productions this holiday season include:

• “Miracle of Christmas” appearing at the new massive Sight & Sound Theatre depicting the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem with original music, over 45 actors, lives animals, on one of the largest stages in the country.

• New also is the Brule and Airo American Indian Rock Opera Christmas show featuring Native American music play with authentic instruments and dance performances.

• Debby Boone is performing Christmas Memories through Dec. 5 at the Oak Ridge Boys Theatre.

Silver Dollar City Christmas Old Time Christmas at Silver Dollar City features the lighted holiday parade each evening during the holiday season.

And of course, no visit to Branson for the holidays is complete without seeing the four million lights, and all the attractions at Silver Dollar City’s An Old Time Christmas. running through Dec. 30 and listed by several national media as one of the nation’s top holiday attractions.

Among the highlight are:

• The 5-story special effects Christmas Tree that comes to life at dusk each evening with changing colored lights, synchronized with Christmas songs while the lights on buildings on the Main Street square flash along with the music.

• Dickens’ Christmas Carol is a one-hour original musical adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic with special sets, visual pyrotechnic effects such as flying spirits and a cast of 14 including Scrooge, the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future, with a live band.

• The Holiday Light Parade includes eight floats with 100,000 lights and the new Culinary   & Craft School with classes on holiday specialties like cranberry dishes, cookies and more.

• Holiday musical shows include the Living Nativity drama, Frosty who comes to life, the Frontier Fa-La-la Follies a Cajun show featuring Cedric Benoit and the Cajun Connection. You can also sing-along Christmas songs on the Silver Dollar Steam Train.

And don’t forget the food. Silver Dollar City has a reputation for quality, home cooked meals and most of the offerings are available year-round. During Old Time Christmas they offer a holiday buffet with prime rib and traditional favorites such as turkey with cran-apple dressing. For kids there’s a lunch with Santa on weekends. The best kettle corn anywhere is found at SDC.  We like to get a big bag and walk around the park munching on the salty-sweet treat.

For more information call 800-831-4FUN or www.silverdollarcity.com.

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