Let’s take a look at another entertainment option in the Live Show Capital of the World. Located at 3090 Shepherd of the Hills Expressway in Branson, MO is the Hamner Barber Variety Show, an Ed Sullivan-style variety show full of magic, comedy, music and ventriloquism. The show begins with a comedic look at how magician Dave Hamner and comedian Jim Barber got their starts, then falls into a series of magic tricks performed by Hamner and his wife Denise. I enjoy magic shows because I love to be surprised and amazed, but unfortunately my seat on the far end of a center aisle exposed me to a few behind-the-scenes glimpses of how birds appeared and disappeared, plus gave away one of the neatest entrances by Barber in his classic “Austin Powers” costume. Barber’s ventriloquism is hilarious, even if his character voices sound remarkably similar. Two of the best segments are a Les Miserables duet with Barber and one of his characters where Barber engages in a tug-of-war match with an audience member over a baby, and his version of “Ventriloquist Karaoke” where Barber provides the voices for two unsuspecting male audience members as they sing a hit by The Supremes. Absolutely hilarious.
The illusions in this show are powerful, and the music and choreography leading up to each trick really heightens the excitement. Unfortunately, in their effort to keep the show fast-paced by alternating an illusion with a comedy bit, the Hamner Barber show actually make it more difficult to keep momentum, so the beginning of each new segment feels sluggish and a lot of the dramatic effects were lost. However, one magic trick that should not be missed is their multimedia tribute to veterans, an illusion over three years in the making.
The Hamner Barber Variety Show is a great show for families no matter the age of your children. My rating for this show – GRAB A FEW KIDS, PACK UP THE CAR, AND MAKE A NIGHT OF IT WITH THIS FUN SHOW!
This show runs at 3 pm on Sundays and 8 pm Tuesday – Saturday through mid-December. Located in the Hamner Barber Theater, tickets are $29 for adults, $16 for teenagers age 13 – 17, and $8 for kids age 4 – 12. They also have a group rate for groups of 15 or more. Reservations can be made by calling 1-888-335-2080 or by visiting their website.
The illusions in this show are powerful, and the music and choreography leading up to each trick really heightens the excitement. Unfortunately, in their effort to keep the show fast-paced by alternating an illusion with a comedy bit, the Hamner Barber show actually make it more difficult to keep momentum, so the beginning of each new segment feels sluggish and a lot of the dramatic effects were lost. However, one magic trick that should not be missed is their multimedia tribute to veterans, an illusion over three years in the making.
The Hamner Barber Variety Show is a great show for families no matter the age of your children. My rating for this show – GRAB A FEW KIDS, PACK UP THE CAR, AND MAKE A NIGHT OF IT WITH THIS FUN SHOW!
This show runs at 3 pm on Sundays and 8 pm Tuesday – Saturday through mid-December. Located in the Hamner Barber Theater, tickets are $29 for adults, $16 for teenagers age 13 – 17, and $8 for kids age 4 – 12. They also have a group rate for groups of 15 or more. Reservations can be made by calling 1-888-335-2080 or by visiting their website.
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