Not only does Denise “lose her head” and find herself divided into 12 parts as part of their amazing “Stargate” illusion (pictured below), she also demonstrates the fearless ability to be suspended 15 feet above a table of deadly steel spikes, transform from a tropical parrot into herself, be impaled with a dozen light sabers and three metal tubes, and if that weren’t enough, to float effortlessly in mid-air with no strings attached!

How can this be possible? Is it real?  Is it an illusion?  You’ve got to see it to believe it!

Denise Hamner is Divided into 12 parts during the Stargate Illusion in the Hamner Barber Variety Show

A Magical Life As A Professional “Box Jumper”

Before they were married, Denise was active in many athletic sports activities such as soccer and baseball.  Her background and training in sports has served her well.  Little did she know that after teaming up with her illusionist husband, she would be involved in some of the most physically demanding activities of her entire life.

One of Dave’s nicknames for Denise is his “little box jumper,” which is an industry term for a magic assistant who is able to perform a variety of difficult physical moves in order to create the effect for the audience.

During every performance of the Hamner Barber Variety Show, Denise goes through an exhausting array of magical stunts, dangerous falls and technical maneuvers to make the seemingly impossible… possible.

Although Denise provides the bulk of the stunts in the show, Dave also performs several physically demanding feats that allow him to vanish from one area of the stage and instantly appear far away in another.

It’s unbelievable to experience this magical team effort that developed over many years to perfect.

In one of their most spectacular effects called “Vertigo”, Dave hypnotizes Denise who is then placed on top of a Plexiglas trap door and raised fifteen feet above a bed of solid steel spikes.

There is genuine physical danger involved in this performance, and the surprise ending will take your breath away leaving you wondering how it was possible for the magical husband and wife team to pull off such a stunt.  No wonder their comedy partner Jim Barber calls Vertigo, their “most dangerous illusion”.

It’s important to also give credit to the Hamner Barber dance troupe, stage assistants, stage manager,  and lighting and technical crew who also help create the magical effects performed nightly at the Hamner Barber Theater in Branson, Missouri.  It’s truly a team effort to create something that appears effortless!

See It For Yourself!

Come experience the amazing magical stunts of The Hamners and the creative comedy of ventriloquist Jim Barber at the Hamner Barber Variety Show.  It’s Branson’s most popular magic and comedy show, and has something that appeals to every member of the family.

Click here for tickets or more information on the Hamner Barber Variety Show.

On Friday, February 11th the Hamner Barber Variety Show began it’s eighth smash season in Branson, Missouri at the Hamner Barber Theater on Shepherd of the Hills Expressway.  The magical Hot Winter Fun occurs weekends through February with a full time Branson show schedule from March through December.  Since the show first opened in 2004, the production has grown and developed into what is now considered to be one of Branson’s most popular attractions for families with a show that truly appeals to all age groups.

The acclaimed Branson magic and variety show features the original illusions of Dave and Denise Hamner and the inventive vocal comedy of ventriloquist Jim Barber.  The Hamners and Jim Barber met several years ago when they were both featured variety artists in the Osmond Brothers Show and the Glen Campbell Goodtime Show respectively.  Over the years the two acts waited for an opportunity to work together and eventually in 2002, Jimmy Osmond cast them both to appear in his American Jukebox Show which played for two seasons in Branson.  After that show closed, an opportunity was presented to both Dave and Jim to create their own show at the then named Victorian Theater on Shepherd of the Hills Expressway.  The Hamners and the Barbers purchased that venue a year later, and renamed it the Hamner Barber Theater.

Beyond the talents of the Hamners and Jim Barber, the variety show has an impressive cast of performers.  The gifted Hamner Barber Dancers who perform throughout the season include A.J. Heard, Ken Brown and Gwen Bliss.  All three of these artists have been lead dancers in several major Branson production shows as well as for many national and international touring shows.  Their choreography by A.J. Heard is interwoven throughout many of the magical routines performed by the Hamners and they are also featured in their own high-energy solo performance titled “Let Me Entertain You,” with powerful vocals sung by Bucky Heard, husband of A.J. Heard, and featured star in the Legends in Concert show at the Dick Clark American Bandstand Theatre.

The newest member of the cast this year is Nicco Zamudio who not only assists the performers backstage with technical needs, but also appears onstage as an assistant to the Hamners and Jim Barber.  Nicco recently moved to Branson from Lufkin, TX and demonstrates youthful exuberance and highly motivated enthusiasm for his participation in the show.

To add to the fun, magical Lex Pearson performs his funny off-the-wall brand of magic during his special “show between the show” comedy act during intermission as well as a pre-show performance in the Hamner Barber Theater lobby for the audience guests who arrive early.

Lex also assists during the main show as the illusion and stage manager for the Hamner Barber Variety Show.

Behind the scenes, there are also several very important cast, crew and staff that help make the magic happen onstage.  The Lighting and Technical Director for the theater is Paul Linden.  His impressive background in lighting, lasers, audio and theatrical production make him a very important asset to the production.

Assisting Paul is follow spotlight operator Bonnie Frerking.  Bonnie is an important member of the crew who brings many years of experience in technical theater production.  Her lighting cues are vital throughout the show, and she never misses a cue.  When not working the lights above the audience, Bonnie also assists in other areas of the theater including the lobby concession sales during intermission.

Of course, the business side of the Hamner Barber Variety Show is just as important as the production aspects.  Our two lead staff members who manage the day-to-day operations are Box Office Manager Jan Braschler and Administrative Sales Manager Vance Hebblethwaite.  Both Jan and Vance have been working at the theater since it was first built sixteen years ago in 1995 for the Braschler Music Show.  More information regarding the theater history is available on this website.

Other important staff members who assist the production throughout the season are Concessions Manager Jan Hammit, Gift Shop Sales associate Norma Jones,  Concessions and Gift Shop associates Wanda Scritchfield and Faye Brown, as well as the friendly and experienced Box Office associates Glenda Adams and Brenda Hahn. When you call or visit the Hamner Barber Theater, you can be assured that you will be greeted by a genuinely friendly and knowledgeable staff who will make you feel welcomed as an honored guest.

Beyond the theater employees, cast and crew, there are dozens of other important individuals and businesses who assist with the day-to-day operations, promotion, marketing and general maintenance of the theater facility and property grounds.  Though these people are never seen by the theater guests who attend the performances, their involvement is essential to each and every show at the venue throughout each year.

On your next trip to Branson, be sure to include Branson’s premiere magic and comedy show, the Hamner Barber Variety Show on your itinerary of fun things to do in Branson.

Dave & Denise Hamner and Jim Barber are certainly recognized worldwide by their peers. Individually and jointly, these masters of variety entertainment have received many of the top honors delegated only to the best in their industry.

Branson audiences are in for a treat when they experience the original and unique award-winning routines of the Hamner Barber Variety Show.  There’s no other show like it in the world!

HAMNER BARBER SHOW AWARDS

Below are some recent honors awarded the Hamner Barber Variety Show:

• “2010 National Telly Award” – Video Excellence – “Veterans Tribute” (read article)
• “Best Branson Variety Show” - Branson Christian News 2007 & 2008 (read article)
• “Must See Show of the Year” - BransonCritic.com 2005 (read article)
  

THE HAMNERS AWARDS

Below are some of the individual honors awarded to the Hamners:

• “Entertainers of the Year” International Magicians Society Merlin Award - 2006 (read article)
• “Magic Masters Award” - World Magic Seminar, Las Vegas – 2002
• “Best Manipulation” International Magicians Society Merlin Award – 1999
• Siegfried & Roy “Bronze Lion Award” – World Magic Stage Competition, Las Vegas – 1997
• 1st Place – Stage Competition – Texas Association of Magicians – 1994
• 1st Place – Stage Competition – Abbotts Magic Competition – 1994

JIM BARBER AWARDS

Below are some of the individual honors awarded to Jim Barber:

• “Best Specialty Act” – WWS Branson Show Awards – 2008 & 2009 (read article)
  
• “Ventriloquist of the Year” International Magicians Society Merlin Award – 2006 (read article)
  
• “Ventriloquist of the Year” – Vent Haven International Convention – 1994
• “Comedy Entertainer of the Year” – National Association of Campus Activities – 1989
• “Funniest Person In America” – (Tennessee) – Showtime The Movie Channel – 1985
• 1st Place – Pepsi’s Mid-South Laff-Off – Nashville – 1984
• 1st Place – Senior Ventriloquist Contest – Vent Haven International Convention – 1984

Related Information: The Hamners Biography, Jim Barber Biography

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

Branson, Missouri must be the magician and ventriloquist capital in the area of the country I live in. There are more ventriloquist and magicians performing there than I have ever seen. Currently there are five magicians performing there as well as three top quality professional ventriloquists.

One of the Magicians performing there this year is world renown magician Brett Daniels, who is performing at the Grand Palace Theater. His show is a true magic work of theatrical art and entertainment. It is a very entertaining two hour show which has everything in it from huge illusions such as making a fighter jet appear on stage to simple sleight of hand routines with cards. After watching his show it is easy to see why he has such acclaimed fame as a performer.

Darren Romeo, the singing magician is also there, and you can see a magic show at the mall theater next to Wal-Mart. Kirby VanBurch still draws audiences to his theater.

The Hamners who are at the Victorian Theater (on Shepherd of the Hills Expressway) do a variety of illusions that blend wonderful theatrics and their work with birds. At this same show you will also find Branson’s top ventriloquist performing, Jim Barber. This is a must see show if you get to the area. It is a wild mixture of Jim’s humor and creativity. The theater sits off the road and behind the Victorian Shop/Inn and is close to the Shoji Tabuchi Theater. But once you get there and the show starts you will be given a true treat to see two top quality acts combined together for one unique show!

Jim truly shows why he is one of America’s premier ventriloquist with his quality vent control and voice range as well as his wacky sense of humor. He also conbines puppetry and a magical illusion for a routine with one of Axtell’s ape puppets that truly is unique and very funny. Jim also uses Chico the Chihuahua, the Baby, Seville, and the Norwegian Orangutan. Jim also does a hilarious Austin Powers spoof that truly is right on.

Jim and the Hamners also will have a Christmas show playing in November and December called “The Wings of Christmas.” So if you ever decide to go to the Branson area, make sure you check out Jim’s show. Your funny bone will thank you!

Also in Branson you will find two other ventriloquist – Patty Davidson and Todd Oliver. Both are also great ventriloquist and worth the effort to check out. Patty is working at the Dalena Ditto show at Mickey Gilley’s Theater (on the main strip), and Todd is still out on the Branson Belle with his unique vent dog act.

Branson is truly a fun place to visit but be warned – the traffic is even more fun to drive in, Ha! If you want to learn patience, try driving from one end of the strip to the other in the middle of the summer. It is also about as bad in the Fall so do not be in a big hurry to get anywhere fast because you won’t.

While I was at the Hamner Barber show, I got to talk a short while with Jim. It was fun talking to him. He reminds me of myself a lot with his creative ideas and love of ventriloquism and magic. I found out from Jim that two of his puppet characters were made by none other than Verna Finly, Chico the Chihuahua and Baby, which would explain the unique characters of these two puppets. So go to Branson and have loads of fun! There are fun Fall festivities coming up.

David and Denise Hamner have headlined many major production shows around the world, presenting their award winning and original feats of magic. Venues include not only Las Vegas, Disneyland and Hollywood’s famous “Magic Castle” but also Branson where they starred in the productions Branson City All Star Revue and Magic of the Night which earned them multiple “Featured Performance” honors in the Branson All American Entertainment Awards. They were recently presented the prestigious “Magic Masters Award” by their magical piers in Las Vegas as well as the “Merlin Award” for “Best Manipulation.” Internationally know magicians Siegfried and Roy personally honored the Hamners by presenting them with their “Bronze Lion Head Award” for performance excellence.

The Hamners are best known for their one of a kind act in which they produce ten enormous exotic birds. Their beautiful Macaws and Cockatoos appear amid flying cards, flaming swords, falling coins and jewels and then perform an incredible flight over and around the audience before gracefully returning to the stage. Other original illusions to be featured in the new variety show include The Stargate, The Lightning Levitation, The Syringe Impailment, and Vertigo: The Fall of Death. The Hamners have performed these effects on many national television shows including NBC’s “World’s Greatest Magic” and on specials produced for the Trinity Broadcasting Network.

Dave Hamner is also an ordained Minister with extensive educational training. He and his wife Denise have held special theater worship services in Branson whenever they appear here locally. The Hamners are excited and feel blessed to once again have the opportunity of preaching the gospel each Sunday morning at 10:00am at The Victorian.

Jim Barber is recognized as one of the world’s great ventriloquists and has been honored as the “International Ventriloquist of the Year,” “Comedy Entertainer of the Year,” by the National Association of Campus Activities and Showtime, the Movie Channel named him one of the “Funniest People in America,” for his creative approach to the art of ventriloquism.

Jim was first introduced to Branson as the featured comedian in Glen Campbell’s Goodtime Show. He has since been featured in other successful Branson productions with The Osmonds, Tony Orlando, Kirby VanBurch and the late Eddie Rabbitt. He served as a national co-host for the Jerry Lewis “Stars Across America” Labor Day Telethon and has appeared on many national television shows on The Nashville Network, A&E, Fox, ABC, and NBC. Jim appears regularly in Las Vegas, Reno and major resort destinations performing for national corporate events and his participation in USO shows have taken him around the world entertaining our troops. He is also a favorite aboard cruise ships and was recently a featured artist for the maiden Caribbean voyage of the world’s largest cruise liner, Cunard’s Queen Mary 2.

Beyond his reputation as an area performer, Jim also combines his creativity with computers as co-owner of Image Works, Inc., a video production, graphic design and publishing company. Jim has extensive training and experience in multimedia and has personally developed projects for Silver Dollar City, Big Cedar Lodge, Glen Campbell, Jimmy Osmond, Yakov Smirnoff, Pierce Arrow, Paul Harris and many other businesses in the Branson area and around the country. He also is honored to serve on the board of directors for “Mountain Country Habitat For Humanity” and his family are members of First Presbyterian Church of Branson. Jim’s wife Diane has an extensive musical theater background and will perform in the new show’s holiday production, “The Wings of Christmas” during November and December.

Related Websites:

Hamner Barber Variety Show Site
www.hamnerbarber.com

Jim Barber’s Sites
www.jimbarber.com
www.imageinc.biz