Branson Critic - The Online Magazine for Branson Show Reveiws

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Known throughout the world for his soothing voice for over 50 years, Andy Williams is as vibrant as ever. This is his 17th year performing nightly at his Moon River Theatre. President Ronald Reagan declared his voice a “national treasure.” Williams has taken excellent care of our national treasure. It is obvious that he cares for his voice as a violinist would care for his Stradivarius. And like the master violinist, Williams plays his voice with precision. In addition to performing nightly, Williams just recently completed another CD recording project.

On 9 April 2008, the show opened with an outstanding performance by Branson’s sensational new group, The Entertainers, who also have their own show at the Moon River Theatre (6 June - 13 December 2008). This group first opened their show in 2007 and quickly became a major attraction on the Branson theatre scene. They consist of 11 outstanding musicians and singers, each with talent deserving of their own show. Award-winning violinist/fiddler, Dean Church, came up with the concept and pulled together the best performers Branson had to offer regardless of genre. Each member of the cast had a hand in formatting the show. As a result the audience is treated to a high-energy production by top quality artists who can extract every mood from rocking the house to generating a tear and a lump in the throat. Their 45 minute performance as part of the Andy Williams Show gives only the best of the best they have to offer. Dean Church started the show with his 105 mph fiddle playing. Bucky Heard brought out the goose bumps with When a Man Loves a Woman, and Donna Faulter May, with Terri Austin’s backup vocals, gave a superb rendition of Blue Bayou. And that’s just to name a few. The whole cast gave great performances from a broad variety of music styles. I saw their two-hour show last year and it is a solid two hours of the best entertainment you’ll find anywhere.

After a 15-minute intermission Andy Williams opened the second half with many of his biggest hits. He had so many over his career it would be impossible to cover them all in one show. Andy’s new vocal group, The Warnocks, were brought out on stage and introduced to the audience; Jamie and Sandi, and their daughters Ashlee, Anna, Rhonda, and Emilee. The Warnocks are a very gifted family that sings beautiful harmony and also performed some tricky choreographed moves and dancing throughout the rest of the show. The finale begins with bringing out The Entertainers again to perform a number of songs with Andy from the 50’s and 60’s jukebox era. The highlight of the finale teamed up Bucky Heard with Andy Williams to sing MacArthur Park. This was a powerful performance that makes one realize why Andy has had such a long successful career. MacArthur Park put Bucky Heard up against the Andy Williams standard of excellence. His voice is all his own but I believe his performance passed the test. See this show and I’m sure you’ll agree. Their performance reminded me how Andy has always surrounded himself with only the best of talent.

And finally, did he sing Moon River? You bet. It is readily apparent Andy Williams knows what his audiences like and he gives them what they want - the best quality show possible. Even though he has performed for and with all the best all over the world, you can see in his show that he has a down to earth sense of humor, loves living in Branson, and has no intention of ever slowing down.

Bob Cort, Editor
Photos by Velva Cort