Airport Minglings, Musical Interludes & Midwest Rollercoasters: Branson, Missouri - Feature
The aspect of being forever accessible is the dream of all on Earth until we begin making our way into outer space which is on the cusp of possibility. On the eve of those important events as well as the Ares X-1 Rocket Test for the Moon, airports continue to thrive.
In Branson, Missouri which continues to build its infrastructure, the new Branson Airport, the first fully private commercial airport in the area, opened to fanfare with both Sun Country and AirTran flying maiden flights with more hopefully to come as Lee Greenwood sang to christen the moment.
The key to the reimergence over the next couple years of this area is the integration of youth. Known for years as a mostly older destination, Branson has the opportunity and potential to develop upwards in this aspect. Most of the performers in the area, save for the top headliners, are younger talent who are testing their wares in the town's numerous showrooms. Seeing the talent possible makes this almost what would call a summer stock option before the big elements of Vegas and New York but with the possibility of family, safety and affordable living. There is also a diversity of fun to be had although the particulars are still evolving.
The opening of the airport brought Branson's first Air Show to the runways with the specific highlights being a 300-foot wall of fire raged through on a flyby by the A-10 which was mainly used in Vietnam. Up in the VIP tent on the hill situated above the runway, the expanse and the isolated elements of the arena highlighted aerial acrobatic. Despite a low ceiling, the raging thrust of the Air Force Thunderbirds wowed the audience especially when in formation, another one of the team banked around with afterburners blazing about 1000 feet off the ground right past them.
The connection to the arts is unmistakable. Brad Pitt is a hometown boy from around the area where some of his relatives still live. The genuineness of the people are a direct reflection of that.
The shows performed key into this perception. There is decisive diversity in terms of elements seen. The most interesting and original seen was off the beaten path at the Branson Star Theatre in the engaging and nostalgic "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do" which is set in the Catskills in 1960 and features songs written for 70s icon Neil Sedaka and are instantly recognizable. The coolness, which can be updated, is buoyed by the young and vibrant performers reminiscent of a "Cry Baby" mentality. Add to that the aspect that performers from other shows (in their early 20s mostly) come to support their fans making the whole feeling interactive.
The Starlite Theater is another cauldron of diverse quality. The most insistent and stimulating of all was "Liverpool Legends" which is a Beatles Tribute Show which includes an integration of Laura Harrison, George's sister, who makes herself available for questions. This is a show that Paul McCartney actually came to Branson to see a couple years ago because a lot of their intensity is not mimicry but simple and elegant recreation. Some of the standouts that had the crowd up and cheering were "A Day In The Life" (with resonant psychedelic effects), "Something In The Way" and jump-up-and-down favorite "Twist & Shout" made famous to a new generation with the off-the-hook parade scene in "Ferris Buellar's Day Off". In a great antecedent, a British girl in her early 20s with her best girlfriend made her way to Branson specifically to see this show for her 21st birthday dancing like mad in the isles.
The Rankin Brothers whose great show highlight was a spot on rendition of Buddy Holly which was uncanny showed exceptional technical skill especially on guitar while "The World Famous Platters" played to a more subdued crowd that with the romantic interlude of "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes".
Heating up after that procession was "50s At The Hop" buoyed by the performance of a lovely brunette named Anna who brought an energy, both soulful and sultry, to the proceedings which really heightened the reality of how cool this music was in that time period when doo-wop was the new hip hop. That is the key: making these performances feel current and not just a paycheck. These younger performers are into it and one can tell. The great thing is that they are learning so they can make mistakes. It shows a genuine love for the art sort of like the enthusiasm you see from college football players before they join the NFL. It is all about the love of the game.
The final show that invigorates the scene is two fold. Seemingly a paradoxical choice, the Acrobats Of China takes on some elements of say "Mystere" formerly at the Mirage in Vegas and strips away the sets. Here it is the sheer will of the students. This more than any other show brings the face of Branson into the 21st Century with aspects of hip hop culture mixing with the actual Western influence on these kids while maintaining their Chinese cultural identity. They are only allowed to come over for nine months at a time to perform and are rotated. The best sequence of the performance was the Butterfly Lovers sequence which has metaphors of "Romeo & Juliet". The lyrical essence of the shadows against the walls gave the show a great internal quality.
The one really exceptional element that is not really visible in Vegas, NY or LA but that is present in Branson is the outreach to schools and the like. Much like the aspect of performers in the 60s and 70s in Las Vegas, it speaks alot to the community of artists. Here, during the performance of "Acrobats Of China", a high school band from South Dakota came in as experience working as the opening act to get the feeling of a real audience for a performance. They then stayed for the actual acrobat performance and you could really see the interaction of enthusaism which connected the two.
In terms of a younger hangout element in the area, the list is glaringly short as the infrastructure continues to change and adjusts to the younger crowd which they are trying to reach.
Silver Dollar City is an amusement park of sorts like a Six Flags that was a surprise of riches. One never hears it mentioned in the same breath as Branson unless you are a local but it provides a window to the youth. A couple of the roller coasters stand up to par most specifically "Wildfire" which rages around in inverted rolls and Powder Keg which blasts off like a lit fuse with a shot into the sky. In terms of water rides, the "Flooded Mine" integrates a shooting style game with Disney-style "Pirates" animatronic fun.
The most thrilling ride that made certain teenagers get off was the apt "Giant Swing" which rockets the riders up in the air with force and throttle like a pendulum on speed. And as far as a show, the one that stood out was "The Follies" set in the saloon whose cast brimmed with beauty, youth and energy. Georgia, one of the burlesque can-can girls, was a stand out with her commitment, performance and sheer aura while the comic relief riled the audience with his thinly veiled innuendos. This show is great fodder for adults relying on wordplay while the physical antics kept the kids entertained and unaware. You felt that, despite being in a theme park, it was like you were in one of those old saloons. Classic.
In a quite paradoxical set up, the park sits over a gigantic cave system that is one of the biggest in the country. The tour of this national protected space named "Marvel Cave" incorporates a healthy walk down into the caverns 550 feet below the surface filled with drop offs, rock formations, waterfalls and bats. It again speaks to a diversity of riches in the area.
In terms of places to eat and drink, the selections are limited but growing. However is the small places and hole-in-the-walls that stand out. The central point to start from is Branson Landing right on the edge of Table Rock Lake where the Hilton Promenade rests. A short walk up the hill produces Mr. G's Italian Restaurant made famous locally because Frankie Avalon (of "Grease" fame for younger audiences) would eat there every night when he was in town performing. The lasanga is hearty and filling and the house salad ensconced in blue cheese hits the spot.
As far as take out, Thai Town which is a little further up the hill offers a healthy interpretation that is not too filling but agrees in terms of flavor and portion. When going to the shows (especially at the Starlite), Amazing Buffet next door is a nice quick affordable jaunt with hot and sour soup, sesame chicken, rice and crab rangoon for a great price. In terms of bars, in the direct area of Starlite, Montana Mike's offers a nice afternoon hangout drinking Sam Adams Lager draft and nibbling on potato skins (nicknamed "boats") with sour cream and Monterey Jack cheese. Back at the Landing, the late night until 1am is at Waxy's O'Shea drinking Beamish near the stool McCartney once sat for a pint when he came to town.
Branson has massive potential. With the opening of their new airport directly in relation to the city, the possibilities become heightened. The city has relevance for youth but more infrastructure needs to be added as the city evolves to draw them. With a diverse amount of entertainment interests that spotlights a youth refining their craft from the play "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do" to "Acrobats Of China" to "50s At The Hop", the talent is there. Silver Dollar City, close by, provides relaxation and thrill. The future is hiding right behind the corner as Branson makes its way into the 21st Century.