Swedish drummers and Chinese acrobats feature among highlights
Silver Dollar City, Branson, Missouri, is planning its biggest ever year of live entertainment with more than a dozen “blue-ribbon” productions planned.
“From a show perspective, there isn’t a time of year when we are not offering something spectacular,” says Brad Schroeder, director of special events. “Silver Dollar City is like a 50-acre performing arts hall, constantly presenting the best shows we can create and find worldwide.”
Opening with World-Fest on April 4, the Zhejiang Balancing Monks of China bring their unique show to the United States for the first time ever. An internationally-acclaimed troupe of two dozen acrobats and head-balancing monks, they demonstrate mastery of body and mind. This show is being created and co-produced for Silver Dollar City by Love Productions of New York City.
Rhythm and dance stomps to the stage in June when KidsFest welcomes the Swedish supergroup JEERK (pictured). Five spectacular performers use their percussion skills, body movements and an array of novelty props to drum, dance, and crash their way through this loud but fun stage show, again making its US debut.
Other planned productions during the season include the new 28-member Peruvian music and dance troupe Jallmay, the Feet of Fire Irish dance show, VeggieTales live stage show, the Magic of Peter Gossamer, the All American Cowgirl Chicks trick riders, Wings Over Missouri birds of flight, the Headin’ West musical drama, and an acclaimed production of A Dickens’ Christmas Carol. There’s also Great American Country Nights in Echo Hollow, featuring contemporary country hits with a talented cast of singers and dancers.
Silver Dollar City is an award-winning theme park based around the 1880s and features, in addition to its strong show programme, 30 themed rides, over 100 demonstrating craftsmen, six annual festivals and specialty foods throughout the season.
