#1 – Your Hamner Barber Ticket Is Worth Money!

When you purchase a ticket to the Hamner Barber Variety Show, you are not only gaining admission to our award-winning magic and comedy production starring illusionists The Hamners and comedian ventriloquist Jim Barber… you also earn the opportunity to save money on your Branson vacation at no extra charge!

At our theater you’ll learn about several ways to reduce the cost of other Branson show tickets, attractions and dining establishments.  Show them your Hamner Barber ticket stub, and they’ll give you a nice discount off your purchase price.  By taking advantage of all the discount offers we have arranged, you could actually save more than you paid for our Branson show ticket! 

Keep your Hamner Barber ticket stub… it’s worth MONEY after you’ve been here!

#2 – Two Bonus Magic Shows at No Extra Charge!

The lobby of the Hamner Barber Theater is a fun and exciting place to hang out before showtime.  If you arrive within an hour of showtime, you’ll be able to enjoy amazing close-up magic by our witty and talented illusion manager Lex Pearson.  You won’t believe your eyes as he performs incredible tricks of the trade using cards, ropes, coins and more.

To keep the energy flowing during intermission, Lex also performs a “Show-Between-The-Show” Intermission Show in which he turns an unsuspecting member of the audience into a hilarious magic act.  This segment of the show is an audience favorite, and provides something that you won’t find at any other Branson theater.

Click here to watch the Branson Webcast Show interview with Lex Pearson.

#3 – Audience Participants Have Fun & Win Big!

Throughout the Hamner Barber Variety Show there are special opportunities for members of the audience to be part of the magical fun onstage.

In exchange for their participation, Dave Hamner and Jim Barber reward their volunteers with special free gifts that add up to hundreds of dollars in valuable prizes given away during each and every performance!

If you are asked to volunteer and you don’t want to, that’s alright… we won’t force you into it.  But we will tell you that those who do participate always have a great time!

Although seats in the front row and aisles are the best places to sit if you are hoping to be selected, it doesn’t always matter where you happen to be sitting in the audience. Enthusiastic audience members who love to laugh out-loud, cheer and clap their hands seem to stand out from the crowd and have a much better chance of being picked to go onstage and be in on the fun.

Hope to participate? Call our box office early to request front row or aisle seats!

#4 – Free Display of Vintage Ventriloquism Toys!

Jim Barber has collected many historical toys and memorabilia related to the art of ventriloquism and magic and a small display of some of his most prized collectibles is on display in the lobby of the Hamner Barber Theater.  Many of these items were manufactured from the early 1930′s through the 1970′s and feature rare vintage toys featuring such ventriloquist characters as Edger Bergan‘s Charlie McCarthy and Mortimer Snerd; Jimmy Nelson‘s Danny O’day and Farfel the Dog; Paul Winchell‘s Jerry Mahoney and Knucklehead Smiff; and Shari Lewis‘s Lamb Chops and Charley Horse.

Included in the collection are early career photos of young Dave Hamner and Jim Barber as they performed magic and ventriloquism.  There is even a framed photo of ten-year old Jim with his very first ventriloquist dummy.  The photo sits on the lap of that same dummy! Along side of this collection is another display case packed full of national and international performance awards that have been presented to both The Hamners and Jim Barber over the years. We hope you enjoy this rare collection of fun vintage toys and collectibles!

#5 – See Rare Film Clips of Famous Vaudevillians!

If you arrive to the Hamner Barber Theater at least a half-hour before showtime, you’ll be treated to some wonderfully rare and entertaining film clips featuring a wide variety of vaudeville performers from throughout the early 1900′s.

Unique circus acts, animal acts, magicians, ventriloquists, carnival sideshow artists, gymnasts, and physical comedy acts are all included.  You’ll also feel the energy of an old-time roller-coaster and other wild carnival rides that are no longer found on any midway in America. It’s a historical look back in time, and sets the mood for the amazing magic and comedy awaiting you and your family in the Hamner Barber Variety Show!

Enjoy all our FREE STUFF in Branson!

As you can see from the five fantastic freebies mentioned above, you get much more for your Hamner Barber ticket purchase than simply admission to our wonderful show.  To take advantage of all our theater has to offer, give us a call today and reserve your best seats available!  We even have a toll-free number so your call will cost you nothing… 1-888-335-2080.

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!

Before the screaming jet engines and the plumes of dense smoke, there was a modestly quaint and colorful performance happening nightly over the heads of astonished Branson theater goers.  The act was called the “Pirate Parrot Act” and was developed over many years of intense training, love and dedication by professional illusionists Dave and Denise Hamner who came to the Ozarks from their ranch home in Southern California where they raised their birds by hand and tended to them kindly as if they were their own children.    In their one-of-a-kind act, a beautiful bevy of exotic, tropical parrots appear from nowhere, flying low enough over the audience as to rustle the hair of anyone in their path.  There are macaws, cockatoos and even white doves creating a seemingly endless array of feathered fun to the delight of those looking up from below.  The giddy laughs of amazement and vocal cheers from the crowd is testament to the sheer magnificence of their original routine.  Branson audiences had never seen anything like this before.

The Hamners were receiving high recognition for their magical effects, long before bringing them to Branson.  In addition to appearances across the country, they’ve performed at major attractions such as Disneyland and Hollywood’s Magic Castle.  After a performance in Las Vegas, entertainment Superstars Siegfried and Roy presented the Hamners with their prestigious Bronze Lion Award for excellence and shortly thereafter, they were asked to perform with their beautiful birds on NBC’s “World’s Greatest Magic” TV special which has been aired around the world numerous times.  Host John Ritter introduced the Hamners as “the most amazing bird act in all of magic.”

When the Hamners were hired to perform at a theater in the Mutton Hollow Theme Park in Branson, Missouri (most recently known as Celebration City), they were so taken by the beauty of the Ozarks, that  they sought out other opportunities to stay in the area.  After an invitation from Jimmy Osmond to join him and his talented brothers at the Osmond Family Theater, The Hamners began to earn a reputation around Branson as one of the most amazing support acts in town.  When their contract at the Osmond Theater expired, Dave and Denise were offered a featured role in a new production show called “Branson City Lights” which then led to an opportunity to finally headline their own “Magic of the Night” spectacular at the Remington Theatre.  A couple years later, they once again teamed up with Jimmy Osmond to perform in the “American Jukebox Show” where they shared a dressing room with comedian, ventriloquist Jim Barber who had also been cast in the new show.  Although the Hamners and Jim Barber had been friends for many years prior, this opportunity to appear in the same show brought them much closer together.

After a successful two-season run, the plug was pulled on the American Jukebox Show creating an opportunity for the performers to move on to new ventures.  Jimmy Osmond traveled to England to produce and star in various projects, and in the Spring  of 2004, Jim Barber and The Hamners were offered an opportunity to co-star in their very own “Hamner Barber Variety Show” at another venue that they now own together, the Hamner Barber Theater on Shepherd of the Hills Expressway.  In 2010, the award-winning variety show will celebrate it’s seventh-season as Branson’s most unique family show featuring magic, comedy, music and dance.

In addition to their magical feathered friends, the Hamners have also invented and developed many never-before-seen stage illusions that can only be experienced at their Branson show.  In the world of illusion, The Hamners are true originals in every sense of the word.  As long as they continue to step out onto the stage of the Hamner Barber Theater, there will be magic in the air above Branson!

“Its variety is straight forward magic, ventriloquism and comedy, but the way they are presented, by two masters of their craft, Illusionist David Hamner and comedian-ventriloquist Jim Barber, separates this variety show from any other in Branson, perhaps in the world.” - Gary Groman aka The Old Seagull

Families with children, retired adults, motor coach groups, military reunions and student travel groups all agree that the Hamner Barber Variety Show was a highlight of their trip to Branson. Mr. Groman explained why the show is the perfect entertainment choice for every type of audience.

“There are relatively few shows in Branson that will hold the interest of children for the majority of the show. There are still fewer that can hold the interest of children while genuinely doing the same thing for adults. The Hamner Barber Variety Show is one of these shows. The constant rotation of the magic with the comedy and ventriloquism flows smoothly from one segment to the next keeping the audience waiting in anticipation for what is coming next and it makes no difference whether the age of the audience member is 10 or 70.” – Gary Groman aka The Ole Seagull

The article also discusses highlights of the production show including the entire cast of performers, dancers and magic assistants.

“It is not just the variety of the magic; it is the manner in which Hamner, his wife, Denise, and their supporting cast, present that magic. Dancers A.J. Heard, Ken Brown, and Kelly Nolte, who also double as magic assistants along with Lex Pearson and Michael Maeder, have been choreographed and worked into the presentation of the vast majority of illusions. The result is some of the most beautiful, entertaining and exciting magic available on any stage anywhere.” - Gary Groman aka The Ole Seagull

Mr. Groman continued the article with comments about Jim Barber’s unique ventriloquism routines throughout the show.

“The comedy and operatic duet with Seville is amazing, but when it turns into trio that’s “magic.”… Audience members might wonder why Barber opened the bag and kept the “baby,” but they will not be able to stop laughing because he did. Not to be outdone by the Hamner’s and their exotic birds, Barber works with a Chihuahua type character called “Chico Pete” and takes the audience to new levels of laughter all the while demonstrating why he is one of the nation’s top ventriloquists.” - Gary Groman aka The Ole Seagull

Finally, Mr. Groman added his coments regarding the Hamner Barber magical multimedia tribute to veterans called “Thank You’s Not Enough” that has generated a huge amount of positive comments from both audience members, national military organizations and press alike.

“The show’s tribute to America’s veterans, living and dead, active duty personnel and their families is a show highlight that is both innovative and beautifully, humbly, and respectfully presented from the heart. In the world of illusions, performers have made people, airplanes, animals, trucks, and even mountains disappear or appear, but none has topped the emotional and patriotic size of this finale tribute illusion. It is a special blessing.” - Gary Groman aka The Ole Seagull

Special thanks to Gary Groman for writing this terrific review of the Hamner Barber show. Please visit the Branson Courier website to read the full article and more wonderful Branson news articles by this talented and prolific author affectionately known as The Ole Seagull.

Watch the video below to hear more about their recommended things to do in Branson, and watch for a cameo appearance by our own Jim Barber when the video host Serenity mentions “comedians that will make you laugh so hard, you’ll forget what you paid ‘em.”