Celebrate the New Year with emotion in Branson.

Missouri's "Little" Las Vegas

Branson, a small city in Missouri in the Midwest United States, is famous worldwide for its highly entertaining shows for families.

This place offers a full range of unique performances that can't be found anywhere else. According to the mayor, "In Las Vegas, tourists might not see what we offer here, but in Branson, we have some of the same kinds of performances as in Las Vegas."

Most theaters are built along the main 8-kilometer-long West 76 Country Road, nestled among amusement parks, mini-golf courses, restaurants, and hotels of all kinds.

Of course, the spectacular shows are the biggest draw for tourists, from around 10 am until late at night. Therefore, it's known as the "City of Shows".

A paradise for live shows.

Branson has hundreds of shows every day, catering to all ages, genders, and budgets. Coming here to enjoy New Year's Eve, I, like many other tourists, chose a show that suited both my budget and my preferences.

In the afternoon, I chose to attend the "Acrobat of China" circus performance – a highlight from China. My first impression was that before the show, all visitors were treated to a cup of hot tea brewed by a Chinese artisan.

Having been present in this city since 1998, this "little circus" now has more than 50 performers and performs 2-3 shows daily at a theater with a capacity of over 2,000 seats.

With their award-winning circus show "A Dream Journey," the performers presented audiences with breathtaking aerial acrobatics, incorporating dance, modern dance, and musical theater. In addition, acts involving headpieces, stilt walking, and balloon performances also provided moments of excitement for the audience.

Completely engrossed in the captivating performances, I didn't even realize how hungry I was. At that point, I turned to "The World's Most Exciting Dinner Show" to enjoy a delicious four-course meal while watching a comedy show with animal acts.

"Dolly Parton's Stampede" truly offers diners one of the most "difficult to eat" shows of their lives. Just as they pick up their food (no knives or forks are provided) and put it in their mouths, they're left gaping in amazement, then putting it down and applauding the performances. Perhaps that's why the show's name is associated with the word "stampede," because tourists are too busy holding their food – that's just my guess!

Throughout the evening, I was constantly taking pictures of the horsemen's acrobatic stunts, laughing hysterically at the actors' witty banter, and cheering on the pigs racing or the dogs in relay races. It all happened so fast and continuously until the very last second that my meal of a huge turkey was almost untouched, so I had to take it home in a "to-go box."

Yet, even leaving the concert was a challenge. Hundreds of people lingered to buy souvenirs, and the large number of people attending the next show meant that the already spacious auditorium became packed!

I also had the opportunity to listen to musicians playing the Hawaiian guitar and enjoy a sweet mocktail, savoring the warm, cozy moments of the year-end amidst the -10°C cold.

Late at night, I went to Dick Clark's American Bandstand to enjoy the "Legends In Concert" performance.

It was exciting to be able to enjoy performances by The Blues Brothers™ (TM added because they were registered), Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, Tina Turner, and even current hits all in one concert. The fact that the singers were dressed up like in a "Facebook" show, playing their own instruments, dancing, and interacting with the audience during the performance made the show feel fresh, even though the songs were somewhat old.

Once-popular songs like Rolling on the River, Simply the Best (Tina Turner) – re-titled according to the original song and singer, Jackson (Johnny Cash), Soul Man, Almost (The Blues Brothers™), Candle in the Wind (Elton John), Suspicious Minds, Teddy Bear, Burning Love (Elvis Presley)... brought tears to the eyes of older female audience members, making them want to get closer to their idols even though they knew they were just "stand-ins".

Each performance, when combined, created a truly spectacular show. From the choreography, costumes, hair, and makeup to the music and stage effects, everything was superb. This show deserves a place on any "must-see" list for visitors to Branson.

The show ended just as fireworks exploded across the Branson sky, signaling the start of a new year 2019 filled with good hopes for everyone!

Here are the addresses of the shows:

• Acrobats of China: 4080 W 76th Road, Country
• Dolly Parton's Stampede: 1525 W 76 Country Road
• Legends In Concert: 1600 W 76th Road, Country

Vinh Phan