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Editor Reviews

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Fan Reviews

Braveheart
October 15, 2008

I recently went to the Branson Variety Theater and experienced the amazing show Broadway. It was amazing and the highlight of the show for me was the Lead Female Vocalist. Darbie Pope had a fantastic glow round her as soon as she was carried on stage by 3 of the male dancers. As soon as she opened her mouth to sing, this amazing voice carried me away straight to New York and the theater district. The clarity and vocal range of this talented woman was phenomenal. Phantom Of The Opera where she changed into this operatic diva with the highest note at the end that I have ever heard. Basically her voice is truly amazing and the change between the different characters she had to portray, was not only shown in the costume change but also in the change of her vocal talents. Many shows around here the singers just belt out their songs one after another in the same way but Darbie has a special range and talent for giving you something different for each song she sings. Amazing, and Darbie Pope should easily win this award as she deserves it in my eyes.

Tuesdayblair
October 15, 2008

The Broadway Show at the Branson Variety Theatre is arguably the best show in Branson! There are many talented singers and dancers in the production, but there is only one shows topper. That show stopper is Darbie Pope, not only does she exhibit her vocal abilities and range, she also showcases some pretty snazzy dance moves! This show is a must see. Darbie has the ability to evoke a multitude of emotions from her listeners with her remarkable renditions of your favorite Broadway hits. From upbeat numbers from shows like Cabaret, Oklahoma and Grease to the more subdued "Send in the Clowns", Darbie will have you singing in your seat.

Deb803
October 13, 2008

Gene is the lead male singer in the Spirit of Broadway show at the Branson Variety Theater.  I remember the first time I saw Gene in the show I couldn't believe what I was hearing.   His voice is AWESOME!  He has one of the best voices in Branson.  He can sing anything from the music of “Oklahoma” to the rock in roll music of “Grease” and the classical music from “Phantom of the Opera” and “Miss Saigon”. When he sings “Music of the Night” you just might need a tissue; his version of this song might bring tears to your eyes, because he sings the song so well.  I love hearing him sing this song.  Honestly, I like hearing him sing any song!  He gets my vote!

Kbradleyar
October 1, 2008

Darbie Pope sings at the show: Broadway – The Star Spangled Celebration at the Branson Variety Theater.  This show is a variety of the most famous song and dances from past and current Broadway musicals.

She has been the female lead singer for the show last year and this year.   When she walked on stage for the first time last year I was amazed.   She has a fantastic voice and is a very talented dancer and performer. 

Over the years the numbers and songs have changed but my favorite songs she sings is from Phantom of the Opera.   She does those songs as good as or better than I have ever heard.   She hits some high notes that is very impressive.  I also love all the song she sings including the duets with Gene Yaws the male lead singer.   Their harmony is wonderful.   I have seen the original Phantom of the Opera on the Real Broadway and they do the songs as good as or better than was done on Broadway.

She sings a variety of songs during the show each in a different style and she does each fantastic.

KBradleyar
September 9, 2008

I had wondered how the show would be with Merrill Osmond not being in the show this year since he is touring with his brothers on their 50 Year Anniversary tour. He will return for the Christmas show.

I was amazed. This year’s show is better than the previous years shows which were all very good. Gene Yaws returns for another year with his great talent as the male lead singer and Darbie Pope returns as the female lead singer. Both are wonderful singers with rich singing voices.

They have redesigned the segments in the show and greatly improved the flow and energy of the performance. Last year one of my favorite number (Oklahoma) had been removed but it has been brought back this year. Keeping with the western theme, they added a number with Darbie Pope as Annie Oakly from Annie Get Your Gun which is very funny and very well done.

The Phantom Of The Opera segment has been greatly improved. Gene Yaws performs the song “Music of the Night” better that I saw it performed on Broadway by Michael Crawford. Gene and Darbie do a duet of “Phantom of the Opera” which catches the emotion of the play in that one song. I have not seen those songs performed any better by anyone.

Last year where Gene Yaws performed a song from Jeckel and Hyde by himself, this year they perform a duet from the same musical. Because there is only one male singer, they have changed some of the songs and changed some numbers to duets. This does not take away from the show but I think enhances it. There are still several solos by Gene and Darbie that let them showcase their remarkable talents.

The final and I have always thought one of the best numbers the show does is GREASE. This year they add a new song “Summer Nights” with Gene and Darbie. They do a great job with the dancers as the Tbirds and the Pink Ladies.

No review of the show can be complete without saying the dancers are the best I have ever seen. They do a great job dancing thru the different segments and they make it look so easy. They give a 100% each show and it comes thru in the quality of the show.

If you like Broadway musicals and/or dancing, go see this show. It is a very professional show with some great talent.

They have a 10:00am show on certain days of the week along with a 3:00pm and an 8:00pm production.  The show times change each day.

Sweetheart47
August 15, 2008

Broadway - The Star-Spangled Celebration.  It is the best show in Branson.  If you like Broadway at all, then this is the show to see.  I too am a Merrill Osmond friend/fan and miss him in the show. Merrill was awesome in the show.  But when I saw what Gene was doing in this show--Oh my gosh!!!  Gene, Darbie, and the dancers are absolutely AWESOME!!!  I am a Broadway Musical fan and this definitely tops Broadway!!  I can't imagine seeing anyone else sing these songs or do these dances. 

The phantom of the Opera songs are so romantic.  The Oklahoma songs  and the Grease songs are so cute.  The whole show is so good and it gets over before you're ready for it too.  But it also makes you want to come back again and again.  And I have!!! In the past couple of years, I've seen it about 20 times or more!!

Sweetheart47
August 1, 2008

If anyone has been to see the Broadway show at the Branson Variety Theatre then they know why Gene Yaws should be voted Best Singer/Performer 2008 (Male).

Gene has the most beautiful voice that I have ever heard.  He shouldn't just be singing IN Broadway, he should be singing ON Broadway. But then he wouldn't be in Branson entertaining us!!  His voice mesmerizes you.  Gene is very talented.  He has a wonderful personality.  When Gene sings, he brings out so many emotions.  He is serious and then he is silly.  He is very dramatic and really gets into the song that he is singing.  He becomes the character in the song that he is singing.  You start believing that he is that character.

When Gene sings the songs from Phantom of the Opera you forget that there is anyone else around you.  You feel as if he is singing right to you.  You feel as though you should be waltzing around the room with him.  When he is singing with Darbie, it is absolutely, positively the most romantic thing ever.  Gene and Darbie were meant to perform together. They definitely click!!  When Gene sings the songs from Grease and Oklahoma it makes you want to get up and dance. 

When the show is over Gene, Darbie, and some of the dancers come out to the lobby of the theatre to sign autographs and take pictures.  Go by and talk to Gene.  When you leave, you will feel as if you have made a new friend.  And when you return the next time, he remembers you and lets you know. 

In the last 2 years, I have seen the Broadway show many times.  Gene just keeps getting better and better!

MH
Jonesburg, MO
The Broadway X-mas Show -- A family affair
Recommendation: Yes
Ratings: 5 of 5
February 17, 2006

Upon prior trips to Branson, we often considered seeing a show, but we avoided the shows due to our 2 toddlers which we felt might be disruptive to other patrons who paid good money to enjoy a show... My sister-in-law finally convinced us to consider seeing this show last November ... and convinced us that our toddlers would blend right in. Was she ever right ... the girls thoroughly enjoyed the show and the cast was very friendly to the girls after the show. We are in the process of reserving some tickets for the upcoming show in November -- hoping to get seats closer to the stage. We would DEFINITELY RECOMMEND this show to parents of small children. WHAT A WINNER!!! -- Maggie

Nelia H
Springfield, MO
Broadway's Variety Christmas Show
Recommendation: Yes
Ratings: 5 of 5
November 28, 2005

I loved this show! It is a very fast paced show with even little children loving it. I was sitting beside a family of 4 and the children were just thrilled. From the dancing chickens to the fantastic Osmonds, you can't go wrong with this show! My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed it and will go back again to see it.

Tad S
Searcy, AR
Broadway
Wouldn't walk across the street to see this show if it were free...
Recommendation: no
Ratings: 2 of 5
November 27, 2005

My wife picked out Broadway Christmas show and since neither one of us had ever been, we thought it may be a good one! At least it looked professional in the brochures!

-Seating: Was comfortable and the temperature of the venue was fine...

-Music: Music was ok, but the Osmonds threw in country songs that didn't even fit in places!

-Comedy: No comedy what so ever! There was an attempt, but only a small one...

-Acting: Was really bad! Not only that, but the choreography was terrible! I don't blame the dancers, as they looked on cue most of the time, but whoever put this show together HAD to look at it and KNOW it wasn't up to the other shows offered in Branson!

-This show was so bad, that my wife wanted to leave at intermission...It was almost as if whoever put this thing together came up with the price and worked backwards until they got SOMETHING that they could charge for!

Would highly recommend other shows for the money of this one...And as such, will probably steer clear of anything with the Osmonds in it! Although David, the newer Osmond sang two really good songs and should probably break off on his own before the older ones ruin him! :)

Jo Ann G
Houston/TX
Broadway
Broadway Bombs
Recommendation: No
Ratings: 2 of 5
November 07, 2005

This show does has some very talented individuals, but it seems very amateurish in many ways. The costuming was very poor for several numbers. It reminded me of a college musical, but the price was not comparable!

This show could be more polished and with more attention to detail and costuming, it would be much better.

Megan R
Joplin, MO
Broadway
Recommendation: Yes
Ratings: 5 of 5
Date: October 14, 2005

I got to go see the Broadway show last night and it was wonderful. I particularly liked the young pretty dark-haired singer. She played Christine in the 1st Phantom song. She did a really awesome job and I enjoyed her performance, I thought she was by far the best. You could really tell she put her all into her performance and enjoys doing what she does. I personally think she needed to sing more songs than what she did. She was GREAT!!!!

Her costumes were very flattering and she just seemed to beam on stage. I look forward to seeing her many more times in Branson. Keep up the good work!!

John M
Knoxville/TN
Broadway
Recommendation:   No
Ratings:   1 of 5
August 13, 2005

The first year we saw this show it was very good, especially the woman who sang "Memory" from "Cats".  On the strength of that we went back to see it last year.  What a lame, tacky show--and that woman singer wasn't in it anymore (although she is still on your web site)! 

Most of the singing is obviously pre-recorded, the dances look tired (and in some cases downright goofy) and just going through the motions.  Same for "Spirit of the Dance".  It's the last time we'll set foot in the Bobby Vinton Theater again!

Don W
Westland, MI
Broadway
Recommendation:   Yes
Ratings: 4 of 5
July 10, 2005

I'm a 47 year old man, my wife is 51. This was our 1st Branson visit.  We ended up attending 10 shows and this show was near the middle of the pack in quality and enjoyment for both of us.  We attend many national traveling & local theater group shows in the Detroit area.  This was more beautiful than our local groups and very close in appearance of set and costumes to national traveling shows.  This is primarily a DANCE show that would be enjoyed by teens and up. 

The singers were good, but dance, costuming and set changes are the best qualities of the show.  Two major disappointments: taped music instead of a live band, and no taps on dancers shoes.  Almost every song done was a number that on Broadway type shows would include tap dancing.  There was no tap dancing at all in this show.  Even our local theater groups employ tap.  All in all it is a very good DANCE show.  It was also our most expensive show we attended, so I was very disappointed that the music was played off a cd or hard drive.

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