Sight & Sound Theatres® is planning to establish an additional theatre location, to be built in Branson, Missouri. The project would include constructing a duplicate of the company’s Millennium Theatre® in Branson, where Sight & Sound is in the process of acquiring 50 acres of land. The company’s current corporate offices in Strasburg would remain the corporate headquarters, and all Sight & Sound operations in Lancaster County would continue as usual. Contingent on final approval of the project, the targeted opening date for the Branson theatre is June 2008.

Sight & Sound Theatres has been described in many ways: “the largest faith-based live theatre in America,” “the Christian Broadway,” “one of the top three theatre destinations on the East Coast” . . . and the list goes on. Each year, about 800,000 people come from across the country and around the world to experience a production at one of Sight & Sound’s two theatres in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

The company’s purpose is to visualize and dramatize the Bible through live stage productions, illustrating truth in the same way that Jesus did, by storytelling. Sight & Sound’s original musical theatre productions are characterized by the spectacular. Most shows feature a professional cast of more than 50, elaborate sets towering up to 40 feet high, hundreds of costumes, and trained animals ranging from camels and horses to dogs and flight-trained birds. Spectacular special effects permeate the shows and include set pieces that rise up through the stage floor, 3D video imaging, pyrotechnics, and artistic lighting effects including lasers. The company’s two theatres are the 2,000-seat Millennium Theatre and the 650-seat Living Waters Theatre, the company’s original location.

Prominent shows at the Theatres have included Noah-The Musical, Abraham & Sarah-A Journey of Love, and Daniel-A Dream, A Den, A Deliverer. Two new shows premiering in 2005 are Ruth, which opens May 21, 2005 at Millennium Theatre, and Psalms of David, opening June 18, 2005 at Living Waters Theatre. Leading off the 2005 season is the Easter spectacular, Behold the Lamb (March 5 – April 9, 2005), a perennial favorite to which new songs and additional special effects were recently added. The 2005 season concludes with Miracle of Christmas (November 12, 2005 – January 7, 2006), which recreates the world into which Jesus was born and concludes in a stunning Nativity scene featuring flying angels, three camels, majestically-costumed wise men and elaborate special effects.

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Dozens of shops, restaurants stay open during January, February, March.

Branson is a shopper’s paradise and during the winter months, prices at outlet shops, gift boutiques, antique stores, arts and crafts studios, and name brand chains are the lowest of the year. During Hot Winter Fun, January through March, shoppers in Branson will find dozens of stores open seven days a week offering great deals on name brand clothing, house wares, electronics, home décor, gourmet food, jewelry, furniture, novelty gift items and hand-crafted art.

Merchants in the Branson area want shoppers and diners to know they’re open this time of year, so many of them have joined forces with the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce Convention and Convention & Visitors Bureau to get the word out by participating in special events, advertising and other promotional activities.

Branson’s three outlet malls offer guests name brand merchandise at discounts of 25-65% off regular retail prices. All three malls are open seven days a week. Tanger Outlet Center features stores such as Bombay Gift Outlet, Mikasa, Old Navy, Dress Barn and many more. In 2005, shoppers have the added advantage of convenient Monday through Saturday hours of 9a.m. to 9p.m. and Sunday hours of 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Tanger.

Engler Block is an ideal destination for shoppers looking for one-of-a-kind hand-made items. Visitors can even watch craftsmen blow glass, paint or carve wood right on site. Engler Block features several shops all under one roof, including a restaurant.

No trip to Branson is complete without a visit to the historic downtown area. Be sure to visit Dick’s Old Time 5 & 10. It’s a trip back in time at this popular shopping destination filled with a variety of items you haven’t seen since you were a kid.

At Alaska Down South, shoppers will find Alaskan and African art, décor, jewelry, furniture and textiles. Many of the items are hand-made, one-of-a-kind heirloom-quality.

Artists and woodworking hobbyists can find a wide-range of raw materials at Art & Woodcrafters Supply. Shop for numerous wood patterns, paints, tools and more. The knowledgeable staff is there to help bring your ideas to life.

Whether you’re a novice photographer eager to see those vacation photos, or an experienced professional, Flash Photo, located on Highway 76 has the supplies, equipment and staff to help with your one hour processing, framing and equipment needs.

The Branson Wal-Mart is conveniently located on the Hwy. 76 Strip adjacent to the Branson Mall and is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

While you’re shopping, enjoy a meal at one of Branson’s great restaurants or eateries to relax and refuel for the next round. From fine dining to fast food, Branson boasts a wide variety of choices, even during the winter months.

Start off your day with a mouth-watering Krispy Kreme donut. Located on the Strip, near Tanger Outlet Center, Krispy Kreme opened in 2004 and has quickly become a local hot spot.

Enjoy a great breakfast, lunch or dinner buffet at Branson’s Golden Corral, the largest one in the world!

For family fun, don’t miss the new Playtime Pizza, which opened in 2004, and features great games and activities for kids of all ages. Located on Gretna Road, between Branson’s three outlet malls, Playtime Pizza is an excellent choice for birthday parties, and other special events.

Branson has a great mix of cuisine styles to choose from at places like Pasta House, Lone Star Steak House, California Bar & Grill, Bob Evans, Luigi’s Pizza Kitchen, McFarlain’s Family Restaurant, Candlestick Inn, B.T. Bones and Rib Crib. The atmosphere and service are fantastic and with all the calories you burn shopping, you’ll definitely want to order dessert!

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One of the most popular and distinctive bands in the world will add some sizzle to Branson’s Hot Winter Fun season in March. Welk-Sullivan Productions announced today that Three Dog Night will perform at the Welk Resort Theatre in Branson at 8 p.m. on Friday, March 4 and Saturday, March 5.

Huge hit singles and albums along with sold-out concerts established Three Dog Night as the most popular American group in the late 1960s and early ‘70s. From 1969 through 1974, no other group had more Top 10 hits, moved more records or sold more concert tickets. Their list of hits includes Mama Told Me Not To Come, Joy To The World, Black and White, Shambala, Easy To Be Hard, An Old Fashioned Love Song, The Show Must Go On, One, Never Been To Spain and more.

Three Dog Night has 21 consecutive Top-40 hits, 18 straight Top-20 hits, 11-Top 10 hits, three #1 pop singles, 7 million-selling singles and 12 straight gold albums. They recorded music of the best and mostly undiscovered new songwriters of their time including Harry Nilsson, Randy Newman, Elton John, Laura Nyro, Paul Williams, Hoyt Axton and others. The group’s eclectic taste, combined with their ability to recognize and record hits in a distinctive and appealing style, resulted in Three Dog Night dominating best-selling charts for years.

“Three Dog Night’s success came not only in record sales and radio,” said Joe Sullivan, Executive Producer of Welk-Sullivan Productions. “Three Dog Night is known for their live performances and that’s the experience we’re bringing to Branson. Audiences are in for a real treat when Three Dog Night performs their classic rock/pop music in the intimate, elegant setting of Branson’s Welk Resort Theatre,” he said.

Three Dog Night’s signature sound features founding members Cory Wells and Danny Hutton on lead vocals, as well as original keyboardist Jimmy Greenspoon and guitarist Michael Allsup. Completing the lineup are Paul Kingery on bass and vocals and Pat Bautz on drums.

Welk Champagne Theatre and Resort opened in 1994. The destination resort complex includes a 160-room hotel, the Stage Door Restaurant & Lounge, a miniature golf course, swimming pool, game room and other amenities. The 2,245-seat theatre near Table Rock Lake has been home to The Lawrence Welk Show since 1994.

In 2003 the theatre was renamed The Welk Resort Theatre. A new alliance announced in October 2003 united the Welk Resort Group and SullivanShows in a venture designed to bring a vast array of new shows to Branson. Welk-Sullivan Productions has operated, managed and marketed the Welk Resort Theatre in Branson since January 1, 2004.

The theater’s 2005 entertainment lineup includes three seasons of Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers – new spring shows, Together Again with Pam Tillis in the fall and Celebrating Christmas 2005 with The Lennon Sisters; an expanded, 8-month schedule for Darren Romeo, the first and only protégé of Siegfried & Roy; The Lowe Family of Utah; and special events such as the Three Dog Night Concert. The complex is also the site for the 13th Annual BransonFest in April.

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Ronnie Prophet has just announced he has signed with country music legend George Jones to tour with the entertainer September 22 through November 6, 2005. “I worked with George in 1996 and am really looking forward to the tour coming up this fall,” Prophet said.

This news coincides with the announcement that Ronnie and his wife Glory-Anne will be on stage with their Down Home Country & Christmas Show at the New Shanghai Theatre in November and December 2005.

Down Home Country & Christmas opens November 10, 2005. The New Shanghai Theatre is home to the Acrobats of China featuring the New Shanghai Circus. The beautiful new 900-seat theater is located at 645 Hwy. 165, south of Stone Hill Winery.

Ronnie Prophet is an accomplished “finger style” guitar player and has had two Gold Albums. Prophet’s newest CD, Prophet Pickin’, has just been released. The CD includes Chet Atkins-style songs as well as songs written by Ronnie Prophet. One of his songs has been picked up by a Nashville publishing house and put on hold for an upcoming television project.

Originally from Canada, Prophet has been named Canadian Entertainer of the Year and Duo of the Year with his wife and singing partner Glory-Anne. Both are now United States citizens. Ronnie and Glory-Anne are veterans of their own television shows and Ronnie had a popular show in Nashville’s famed Printer’s alley, the Ronnie Prophet Carousel Club. They have been performing in Branson since 1997.

Ronnie & Glory-Anne said, “We’ve lived and traveled all over, and here in Branson we really feel we are ‘back home’!”

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With several qualified agencies vying for the opportunity to create a new advertising approach for the Branson/Lakes Area, leadership of the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce & CVB is announcing their choice for the 2005 branding and advertising campaign. The nationally-respected Kuhn & Wittenborn of Kansas City was selected based on their experience, their proven commitment to research-based campaigns and their overall industry track record.

“They understand where we’re going and what we’re trying to achieve,” said Ross Summers, president and CEO of the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber & CVB. “That was clear during the selection process when they showed genuine interest in our branding campaign and expressed strong support for the branding study, saying it was a great foundation upon which to build a creative campaign. They also conducted their own focus groups and preliminary research to enhance their knowledge of our product.”

Selected by Chamber members and staff, Kuhn & Wittenborn (K & W) will now lead the second phase of the branding campaign initiative.* K & W’s client log includes work with Sprint, Microsoft and Crown Center Corporation, which owns Hallmark. Destination and tourism marketing is also key to their resume having headed up work with the Convention & Visitors Bureau of Greater Kansas City, the Kansas Speedway, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Worlds of Fun/Oceans of Fun, and the Kansas City Zoo.

“With the support from our community, our members and our city, we are confident that K & W will help us achieve our long-term goal of seeing first time visitation numbers increase,” said Summers.

K & W is the 2003 recipient of the American Business Ethics Award, recognizing the agency’s commitment to ethical practices in their everyday operation and philosophies.

Branding Workshops Offered
Chamber officials say while K & W works on creative concepts for 2005, area businesses can learn about incorporating branding strategies into their own marketing and advertising campaigns during community branding sessions presented by the Chamber’s vice president of marketing and public relations, Dan Lennon and brand marketing consultant, Linda Antus.

The free public sessions will help area businesses understand the Chamber’s recent branding research findings, interpret the branding study’s recommendations for targeting new visitors, and be updated on the Chamber’s brand advertising campaign.

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Silver Dollar City blasts into 2005 with a new explosive-launch roller coaster, Powder Keg; a new Bluegrass & BBQ festival combining the hot sounds of American bluegrass music with an all-American favorite food; and a new Salute to the American Cowboy within the Festival of American Music & Crafts. New for Kids’ Fest, “Newton’s Revenge” is a live show that explores the zany side of science, and the “Purina Dog Team Challenge” presents world-champion Frisbee-catching dogs in amazing team competitions. Throughout the season, the 1880s-style theme park features music and entertainment, demonstrating craftsmen, themed rides and foods from festival specialties to home-cooked feasts.

Opening in Spring, the new $10 million roller coaster Powder Keg sends riders into a thrill zone within seconds of climbing aboard, launching riders from 0 to 53 miles per hour in just 2.8 seconds. A thrill ride unlike any other in the history of the theme park, Powder Keg combines the shocking speed of the compressed air-launch with spiraling turns, negative gravitational or “G” forces, and “floater” hills at speeds up to 64 miles per hour for a truly wild ride experience, billed as a “blast in the wilderness.”

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The Best Western Center Pointe Inn in Branson has received the Signature Training Award for outstanding quality and hospitality. This award recognizes hotels whose front desk agents obtain a perfect score on all five test calls anonymously made each month by Signature Training examiners.

“We’ve actually received nine perfect scores out of ten calls within the past two months, which places us first out of the 2,100 hotels participating in the program nationally,” observed Richard Frender, General Manager. “The front desk personnel have worked hard to attain this level of excellence and such an honor confirms their commitment to providing quality service.”

The Signature Training program is a follow-up to annual training sessions. Upon training completion, front desk agents are expected to answer the phone according to acceptable procedure. Signature Training examines them by making five anonymous calls each month to all participating hotels. To obtain a perfect score, specific criteria must be met in five distinct areas. The test calls provide a checking system to ensure front desk agents are acting within Signature Training’s guidelines for all calls.

“Receiving all perfect scores within a month is truly commendable,” stated Gail Myer, VP of Operations. “There’s no way to distinguish a Signature Training call from an ordinary inquiry, which says a lot about the front desks’ consistency in excellence.”

Located at 3215 W Highway 76, the Best Western Center Pointe Inn is in the heart of Branson’s entertainment with over 25 shows, attractions and shopping outlets within one mile. The 164-room inn features an indoor pool, spa, sauna, exercise room, game room, deluxe continental breakfast, ticket service, high-speed internet access and level parking.

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Myer Hotels of Branson is pleased to announce that four of its properties have been honored in 2004. The Comfort Inn & Suites and the Comfort Inn West each received Choice Hotels Gold Award while the Best Western Center Pointe Inn and Best Western Music Capital Inn received the Best Western Director’s Award. Additionally, for the third consecutive year, Myer Hotels has been named a 2004 Top Hotel Company in Hotel and Motel Management Magazine.

“These awards are tremendous honors exemplifying the hotels’ exceptional service, facilities and hospitality,” stated Gail Myer, VP of Operations.

The Choice Hotels Gold Award is an annual accolade for hotels exceeding Choice Hotels’ rigid quality assurance standards. To qualify, a hotel must undergo rigorous inspection evaluating each operating department. Departments are rated based on staff knowledge, attitude and professionalism; training; safety and security; maintenance and energy conservation; and physical conditions. By receiving the Gold Award, the Comfort Inn & Suites and the Comfort Inn West are placed in the top 5% of 5,000 Choice Hotels internationally.

Similarly, the Best Western Director’s Award is the chain’s highest honor for outstanding quality standards. The award recognizes Best Western International hotels with cleanliness and maintenance inspection scores of 950 points or more out of a possible 1,000. Hotels must also meet Best Western’s design requirements and high customer service scores to qualify for the distinction.

Chris Myer, VP of Marketing, noted, “The hotels’ team members daily exceed our mission of ‘Friendly, Fantastic Service Always.’ These prestigious awards attest to the dedication they embody.”

In the lodging business for 37 years, the Myer family has actively contributed to Branson’s hospitality market for over 20 years and received numerous awards. Myer Hotels emphasizes excellent locations, countless amenities, and exceptional customer service while focusing on great value in the upper mid-scale area.

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The 56th Annual Adoration Parade and Lighting Ceremony was held Sunday, December 5, 2004 in historic downtown Branson Missouri. Scheduled parade participants included 18 bands and 30 float and walking units.

The new parade route went off without a hitch, according to longtime parade chairman Edd Akers of Akers & Arney Insurance Associates, and chairman of the Adoration Parade Committee of the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau.

“The rain stopped and we were able to proceed as planned with the start of the lighting and the parade, Akers said. “The new route worked out just fine as well. It really was a wonderful event and we were so pleased to see such support from our community and the visitors who came to witness this historic annual tradition.”

Winners in the band competition were: Red Division (less than 40 members), first place, Riverton High School, Riverton, Kansas; second place, Hollister High School, Hollister; and third place, Pleasant Hope High School, Pleasant Hope, Missouri. White Division (40 – 70 members), first place, Reeds Spring High School, Reeds Spring; second place, Strafford High School, Strafford, Missouri; third place, Forsyth High School, Forsyth. Blue Division (more than 70 members), first place, Joplin High School, Joplin, Missouri. Central High School was the winner in the Drum & Bugle Corp Division.

Bands were judged by Chris Ford, director of bands at Glendale High School; Leon Bradley, former director of bands at College of the Ozarks; and Korey Willnauer, former director of bands at Branson High School.

Float winners in the ‘non-profit with a religious theme’ category were: first place, Boyd Church of Oak Grove Arkansas; second place, First Baptist Church, Branson; third place, Faith Life Church, Branson.

In the ‘non-profit with a non-religious theme’ category, the winners were: first place, Branson Rotary Club; second place, (tie) Chateau on the Lake (representing Youth Life) and Branson High School Student Council; third place (tie) Boys and Girls Club of the Ozarks and Girl Scout Troop 294.

In the ‘for-profit with a religious theme’ category, the winner was Camp Little Paws, the only entrant.

In the ‘for-profit with a non-religious theme’ category, winners were: first place, The Vacation Channel; second place, Taney County Tire; and third place, Brier & Ivy Rose Quilts.

The floats were judged by June Hartley of Dick’s 5 & 10; Gayla Roten, director of the Downtown Branson Mainstreet Association; and Monica Bryan, vice-president of the Branson Arts Council Board of Directors.

Pre-parade activities began at 4 p.m. with holiday caroling by the Forsyth High School Select Choir under the direction of Phillip Matney. Greg Pyron, of Hometown Radio, served as master of ceremonies and Bob Hubbard gave the invocation.

Ambrus Leigh, of Presleys’ Country Jubilee, sang “Silent Night” accompanied by cast member John Presley on keyboards, while the giant Nativity scene atop Mt. Branson was illuminated. Leigh is a junior at Branson High School and the great-granddaughter of one of the early parade organizers, more than 50 years ago.

Commentary on the Adoration Parade and Lighting Ceremony was broadcast live on KOMC, 100.1 FM. The event was also taped for broadcast on The Vacation Channel, and will air Tuesday, Dec. 7 and Wednesday, Dec. 8 at 8pm.

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The Brett Family is excited to announce that Claude McNeal’s AMERICANA THEATRE will be their new home for the 2005 Branson show season. On April 29th, 2005, the Brett’s will kick off their 7th sensational season in Branson. Their new 2005 show time will be 10:00 a.m.

“We’ve always loved the Americana Theatre and when Swing Swing Swing approached us to share the theatre with them, it just felt like a perfect fit!” says Tom Brett, Father and co-producer of the Brett Family Show.

“We’re really excited to be moving to this great location right in the heart of it all!” Says Andrea Brett. “The theater and stage are very well suited to our show. We’re thrilled to be associated with the Swing Swing Swing Show, which is truly a class act production. We think our shows will complement each other very well and see this as a very positive move in every way.”

Claude McNeal, an internationally recognized Director, with over 70 smash stage productions across the country and Europe, including New York and London, went looking for just the right show to share the theatre with Swing Swing Swing. McNeal stated, “The Brett Family became the obvious choice for our Theatre. They have a fantastic, very genuine show, and I believe that the venue’s new look and feel will serve to even further enhance one of Branson’s leading shows.”

Rob Skaff, Executive Producer of Claude McNeal’s productions commented, “Both The Brett Family Singers and Swing Swing Swing offer a certain level of diversity to Branson. Each show respects the traditional products in town, but also celebrates the uniqueness and style of their own performances. I could not think of a better fit than The Brett Family for Claude McNeal’s Americana theatre and am very pleased we were able to work things out with Tom and his family.”

Expect nothing less than a first-class performance from The Brett Family. Guaranteed to wow audiences of all ages! The regular season runs from April 29th to October 31st, Monday-Saturday with a NEW show time of 10AM. Celebrate Christmas with The Brett Family November 1st thru December 14th Monday-Saturday, also at 10AM.

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