Charles Biggs

In addition to his newspaper, Mr. Biggs also hosts a radio program called “Tulsa Beacon Weekend” on KCFO AM 970 that can be heard across areas of South East Kansas down through the Tulsa area into south East Oklahoma.  Listen to his recent live telephone interview with Jim Barber and Dave Hamner.

LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW
Download MP3 File of the Full Interview

A synopsis of Mr. Bigg’s published article is reprinted below…

The Hamner Barber Variety Show is “for the birds” and is “full of dummies.”  But those are good things.

Dave Hamner is an accomplished magician and his performance evokes “how did he do that” comments over and over.

A spectacular portion of his act involves the magical unveiling of a host of macaws and cockatoos – one by one – that seem to come from nowhere.  And Hamner produces the birds so quickly, you have to wonder how in the world he does it so fast.

The birds don’t seem to mind.  They emerge and take a short circular flight over the stunned audience.

It’s a lot of fun.  - Charles Biggs, Tulsa Beacon Editor

The article goes on to describe Jim Barber’s opening portion of the show…

Jim Barber is a man of many talents. He opens with the most unique ventriloquist act I have ever seen.  His head is on the body of the dummy while while a dummy’s head appears to be on top of his body.  How does he do that?  It is very funny and captivating.  After that sequence, he comes back on stage and offers a free referral to his chiropractor.

It’s a lot of fun. - Charles Biggs, Tulsa Beacon Editor

Next, the article describes some of the physically impossible illusions and accolades that have been bestowed on both the Hamners and Jim Barber…

As with most shows in Branson, Hamner and Barber love what they do and it shows.  When Barber brings a couple of unwitting volunteers on stage, it’s hard not to smile when you see how much fun all three are having.

Hamner is joined by his lovely wife, who must be as athletically gifted as Barber to handle some of the magic.  The Stargate presentation was mystifying as her head seems separated from her legs by three large holes in a large frame.

It’s a lot of fun.

The Hamners have been featured on NBC’s World’s Greatest Magic.  His card tricks and magic coins are amazing. The Hamners have won two Merlin Awards from the International Magicians Society and were named Entertainers of the Year.

Barber has performed on every major TV network and was a guest on Late Show With David Letterman.  Barber won the International “Ventriloquist of the Year” Merlin Award – an award based on talent plus wholesomeness.

Barber does a takeoff of Mike Myers as Austin Powers that is a hoot (and surprisingly close to the original).

“It’s groovy, baby.” - Charles Biggs, Tulsa Beacon Editor

The rest of the article discusses the Hamner Barber show’s magical multimedia tribute to Veterans that he describes as “particularly meaningful,” and “accompanied by a video that will stir any patriotic heart (and a surprise ending).”  Also mentioned is the “Mysteries of the Lost Ark of the Covenant” illusion which Mr. Biggs called “a spectacular and meaningful moment.”  Finally the article promoted the November and December version of the show entitled The Wings of Christmas which combines the best of the regular season Hamner Barber show, and a second half featuring original music, magic and a special Christmas message.” The online version of the full review can be read here, or a copy of the print version of the article is also available for download.

About the Tulsa Beacon

The Tulsa Beacon is weekly family newspaper founded by Charles and Susan Biggs and originally published in April, 2001. The Tulsa Beacon features news from Tulsa, Oklahoma and the surrounding area. It includes local columnists, a recipe page, church news, columns by Dr. Billy Graham and Dr. James Dobson, local editorials and letters to the editor, syndicated columnists (Robert Novak, David Limbaugh, Mona Charen and Walter Williams), local sports, television listings, movie reviews, classified ads and legal notices.  The newspaper is available by subscription in it’s printed form, or online at TulsaBeacon.com.

This will be the biggest version of the show yet with new illusions and a special tribute to all of our beloved American Veterans.

Make plans now, to join us in Branson during Ozark Mountain Christmas!

A BRANSON HOLIDAY FAVORITE (Nov through mid-Dec)

The Hamner Barber Theater invites you to experience the magic of “The Wings of Christmas,” our original holiday production that will amaze and inspire you at the same time.

The first half features the best of our award winning Hamner Barber Variety Show, featuring the incredible illusions of The Hamners, as seen on NBC’s “World’s Greatest Magic” and other TV specials. Co-star Jim Barber will have you rolling in the aisles with his inventive comedy ventriloquism. Jim has been featured on many television programs including, CBS’s “Late Show with David Letterman.”

The second half is pure imagination and whimsical fun. As the curtain opens on the second half, the audience is transported through the magic of multimedia to an animated world of childhood Christmas memories. The entire cast performs favorite cartoon classics from A Charlie Brown’s Christmas, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and The Grinch Who Stole Christmas. Jim Barber as “The Grinch” is engaging and creative as he dances in and out of a video screen while singing the holiday classic from the film of the same name.

The Hamners rekindle fond memories of early Christmas presents as they magically produce some magical toys that when combined with Dave Hamner’s imagination, become real and bigger than life.

Santa & Mrs. Claus Sing a Holiday Classic with a Twist!

Music is the thread that weaves this production together. Featured are the beautiful vocals of both Dave Hamner and Jim Barber. Also featured is Jim’s talented wife Diane Barber. The Barber’s magically appear and serenade each other with a cleverly revised version of “Baby It’s Cold Outside.” A terrific troupe of singing dancers rounds out the cast.

The spectacular finale will bring you to your feet with applause, featuring our theme song written by T.J. Kuenster especially for this production. T.J. has been the musical conductor for Country Music Hall of Famer, Glen Campbell for over 30 years. He has also written musical scores for many animated feature films including “All Dogs Go To Heaven” and “Rock-A-Doodle”. His original score, “Wings of Christmas” is the perfect piece to conclude this spectacular production.

The entire cast joins Dave Hamner and Jim Barber onstage as a large flock of beautiful birds appear flying to center stage over the heads of the amazed audience. Many folks may not appreciate the intense training that it took for this spectacular fly-in, but they are stunned and delighted at the shear beauty and the power of the experience.

SPECIAL ADDITION TO THE SHOW
The most popular additional to the Hamner Barber show this year has been a magical, multimedia tribute to veterans and active military.  This will certainly be a highlight of the show for years to come. Having been in production for over two years, the new segment includes rare and exclusive video, stirring vocals and dance with a spectacular, never-before-seen, magical illusion.

This November and December, please join us for the Hamner Barber Theater’s production of “The Wings of Christmas.”