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BY PAT LINDSEY

For many families in Missouri and the surrounding states, it takes a trip to Branson to kick off the holidays and really get them into the spirit of the season. Some of those families enjoy seeing their favorite holiday shows, such as Andy Williams, the Osmonds, Shoji Tabuchi or Yakov year after year, but this year it was time to break out of the old routine and sample some of the exciting new shows.

That’s exactly what our family did earlier this month when we took our annual holiday trip to Branson and Silver Dollar City. By combining a couple of our traditional favorites with a few first-time shows, we created some new holiday memories .

Showboat Branson Belle—–

Our three-day weekend began with a 4:30 p.m. holiday dinner cruise aboard the Showboat Branson Belle, a trip we had already taken before. But traditions are difficult to change and we never tire of ventriloquist Todd Oliver and his talking dogs, Irving and Lucy. No matter how many times we’ve heard some of the same jokes, we roar when the lines are delivered by a talking dog.

Joining Oliver are the Show Stoppers, four very talented young people who sing, dance and change costumes in the blink of an eye. The Russian adagio dance duo of Elena and Vadim Serykh, thrill the audience with their graceful dancing as they perform breathtaking feats that make their act an original in Branson or anywhere else. A full hour of variety entertainment follows the three course meal that is prepared aboard the paddlewheeler that sails Table Rock Lake. Three cruises operate daily until New Year’s Eve. For schedules and information call 1-800-775-BOAT or www.showboatbransonbelle.com.

Mannheim Steamroller—–

The late afternoon cruise allowed us enough time to squeeze in an 8 o’clock show that same evening. Our choice for this one was Mannheim Steamroller, an odd name for a group of accomplished musicians who have created their own contemporary style of holiday music. The Branson Orchestra accompanied the six Mannheim Steamroller musicians who hail from all parts of the country. You might not think you’re familiar with this group, but their rendition of “Deck the Halls” has been the theme song for KSDK-TVs Christmas Parade for many years.

Arranger Chip Davis has done a fabulous job of mixing well-known Christmas songs such as “Feliz Navidad” with original compositions that are likely to withstand the test of time. For more information: 1-800-884-4536 – www.thegrandpalace.com.

Silver Dollar City—–

Saturday was our Silver Dollar City Old Time Christmas day and another opportunity to see a musical adaptation of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol at the Old Opera House. This year’s show is laced with pyrotechnics and special effects that make the ghosts of Christmas Past Present, and Future foreboding, but often comical, too. The song, “Thank You Very Much,” is straight out of the Oliver soundtrack, but no one seems to mind, because it gives all of the actors a chance to celebrate the future death of Mr. Scrooge, as seen through the eyes of Christmas Future.

Of course, anyone who is familiar with the story knows that Scrooge eventually learns that money alone cannot make a man wealthy or happy. An Old Time Christmas at Silver Dollar City continues through Dec. 30 (except Dec. 24 and 25. For more information: 1-800-831-4FUN or www.silverdollarcity.com

Hamner & Barber—–

We could have easily filled an entire day and evening with Silver Dollar City shows and other attractions, but we left earlier than usual to catch the 8 o’clock Hamner Barber Show. We added this show to our itinerary after meeting Jim Barber, an award-winning comic ventriloquist and co-owner of the Hamner Barber Theater at breakfast that morning at the College of the Ozarks and sponsored by the Branson Lakes Chamber and CVB.

Like many comedians, Jim Barber appeared to be a quiet, laid-back, but friendly guy offstage, but when the curtain went up on his show later that night, he burst into song, dance and wackiness. When Barber throws his voice to his dummies, his lips never move, and when he comes out on stage with his head on a baby’s body, everyone in the audience does a double-take. (If you watched The Late Show with Dave Letterman last April during Ventriloquist Week, you undoubtedly saw Jim Barber and his baby act.)

Barber’s partner, Dave Hamner, is an illusionist who is a master at pulling cockatoos, parrots and doves out of scarves and other unlikely places. Hamner and his wife, Denise, team up on stage to mystify the audience with card tricks, disappearing acts, and birds in flight over the audience. Hamner is also an ordained minister who holds gospel services in the theater on Sunday mornings. For information go to their web site: hamnerbarber.com

Twelve Irish Tenors—–

Typically, Branson doesn’t have a lot of Sunday morning stage shows (for obvious reasons), but we decided to take in The Twelve Irish Tenors, a group previously unknown to us. It turned out that the 12 young men of Irish descent were not only a good bet, but my favorite show of the whole weekend.

For two hours, I was totally captivated by their beautiful voices, energetic dancing and gorgeous selection of holiday and popular contemporary songs. Each tenor has a turn in the spotlight for his solo, but the other eleven are always there to provide back-up vocals. Songs by Barry Manilow, Frank Sinatra, Elton John, and the Beatles were among their repertoire with, of course, some Irish folk songs.

The Irish Tenors rotate with an Osmond Brothers show at the Branson Variety Theater. For information: 888-GO-BRANSON www.bransonvarietytheater.com

The holiday season officially began in Branson the first weekend in November, but it’s not too late to make travel plans and start creating your own holiday memories. Branson’s Chamber and CVB web site is www.explorebranson.com.

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