The Hamners Magical Birds with Jim Barber & Chico Pete

From the moment the curtain opens on the Hamner Barber Variety Show, the audience is transported to a magical world where beautiful tropical birds appear seemingly out of nowhere, flying over the heads of the astonished audience.

With all the action, one would think an umbrella would be in order, but fortunately that isn’t the case.  Famed Illusionists The Hamners have worked diligently with their friendly flock of magical birds to ensure that an accidental blessing from above doesn’t befall an audience member.

Master Ventriloquist Jim Barber’s canine sidekick Chico Pete is another story all-together.  While he’s fairly confined to Jim himself, Chico often let’s loose with hilarious songs and frisky humor that may leave the audience rolling in the aisles.

That’s just the tip of the iceberg of incredible family entertainment awaiting you at the Hamner Barber Variety Show.  There are amazing original illusions galore that you won’t find in any other magic show in the World.  Jim Barber’s unique puppet characters and multi-octave singing voice will even have the audience becoming part of this fun Branson show.

Individually, The Hamners and Jim Barber have headlined their acts in such mecca’s of entertainment as Las Vegas, Laughlin, Reno, Atlantic City, Atlantis Resort, and even Hollywood’s Famed Magic Castle to name a few.  Together, they combine two amazing variety acts into one incredible show that can only be seen at the Hamner Barber Theater in Branson, Missouri.

By the way, the theater gift shop carries a wide array of magic tricks, photos, dvd videos, quality jewelry, and just in case… umbrellas too!

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

Hamner Barber Variety Show February – December 2010

2010 BOX OFFICE RATES Adult (18+) $ 29.50 Teen (13-17) $ 16.50 Child (4-12) $ 8.50 Infant (0-3) FREE 11.6% sales tax additional

2010 promises to be the biggest and best season so far for the Hamner Barber Theater.  The Branson venue on Shepherd of the Hills Expressway is celebrating 15 years of presenting great family entertainment and the 7th year under the Hamner Barber ownership and name.

We feature three full time production shows and several other benefit or special event programs throughout the year.  Sign up for our FREE newsletter to stay up to date on all the latest news and reviews!

Hamner Barber Variety Show (evenings)

An incredible evening of fun featuring amazing magical illusions, hilarious comedy, dance and more.  Stars of NBC’s “World’s Greatest Magic,” The Hamners present their award winning illusions.  Jim Barber is considered one of the world’s great ventriloquists and was recently featured on CBS’s “Late Show with David Letterman.”

More Information on Hamner Barber Variety Show

The Keatings, A Father & Son Musical Experience (afternoons)

The Keatings, Ken and Josh, take audiences on a musical journey that spans numerous genres including pop, jazz, rock, country, opera, Broadway, standards, and even gospel. Audiences are captivated by the unique combination of powerful voices from a father and his talented 18 year old son.

More Information on The Keatings Show

Ricky Boen & Texas Mud (mornings)

Branson’s hottest morning show offers the best way to start your day! “World Champion Fiddler” Ricky Boen and his “Western Swing Group of the Year” Texas Mud presents the most “toe-tapping” show in town. Incredible twin fiddles, harmonized vocals, gut-busting comedy of Branson’s only female comedian “Ida Claire” and the charming vocals of 11-year-old  Brooke Hale.

More information on Ricky Boen & Texas Mud Show

PURCHASE TICKETS TO ALL HAMNER BARBER SHOWS!

In a town that pays tribute to veterans on a daily basis, there’s a show which does it all up in as good a fashion as this writer has ever seen. We were so impressed with the way all vets are honored by the Hamner Barber Variety Show last Friday night. That segment which closes the show is done with class and true appreciation of the sacrifices made by our service men and women around the world. A great song performed here by Jim and Dave, “Thank You Is Not Enough,” Well done, gentlemen.

I guess I’m starting at the end and working backward toward the front in this review. A little different for me I guess, but this show is different from other Branson shows. Oh, there’s music and dancing alright but there’s so much more, like the most amusing bit when Jim Barber’s head is on the ventriloquist’s character and the character’s head is on Jim’s body. How does he do that? And the almost perfect voicing of Jim’s “friends” even when they’re in a duffel bag of sorts. Barber is so good at what he does and I never realized what a nice singing voice he possesses. That was evident as he sang “Bring Him Home” from Les Miz. Oh, and a hats off to whomever is responsible for the sound in the theater, it’s very clear and audible. One can understand each word.

The Hamners, Dave and Denise, excel at what they do as well. They’re world class illusionists who, while entertaining, also manages to get across their point in living the joys of Christianity.

One of their most mystifying feats is “mysteries of the lost ark,” an illusion which encompasses the fate of the Ark of the Covenant. Dave is a minister of the gospel and pastors a congregation who meets regularly at 10 a.m. each Sunday in the theater.

Right here I have to mention the birds. The parrots and others which Dave and Denise use in their part of the show. Their birds are gorgeous and their flights over the heads of the audience always elicits a chorus of oohs and aahs from the patrons.

It was good to see A.J. Heard on stage dancing as well as she ever has. A.J. is an expert choreographer and has graced the Branson scene for some time now. She’s also the keeper for one Mr. Bucky Heard who, as we all know, needs a lot of keeping.

Linda accompanied me on this review saying she wanted to see the show that so many people have mentioned to her over at the Oak Ridge Boys Theater. She was not disappointed. Nor was I. Nor will you be.

The theater is located at 3090 Shepherd of the Hills Expressway and you can call 417-334-4363 for more information.

About the author Ronnie Page:

Ronnie Page is the Entertainment Editor for the Branson Daily Independent and celebrates over 50 years in the gospel music profession having started his career in 1956 with the Oak Ridge Quartet (later the Oak Ridge Boys). Along the way he spent some 20 years with the world famous Chuck Wagon Gang. Ronnie sang with the original group during the 60’s and 70’s and he recently retired from today’s Chuck Wagon Gang.

Page hosted his own TV show in Nashville for some 18 years while still performing with some of the nation’s top gospel groups. In addition to singing with the Oak Ridge Boys and the Chuck Wagon Gang, he also sang with and managed the Swanee River Boys and the Rangers Trio.

He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in Nashville along with the present day Oak Ridge Boys. He’s also a recipient of the coveted 2006 “Pioneer Award” presented by Nashville, Tennessee’s Music City Showcase in recognition of a half century of gospel music leadership.