The cute uniqueness of its opening number with "usherette" Tiffany Sassanell auditioning for a part in the show.
BRANSON, Mo., September 1, 2013 — What do you get when you have some of the greatest music from Hollywood films being performed live on stage by four extraordinary vocalists, a superb cast of dancers in a spectacular, colorful, entertaining and beautifully choreographed production? In this writer’s opinion it would be two hours of the most entertaining vocal and dancing performances on any Branson stage while watching the extremely entertaining production show Hooray For Hollywood.
From the 1952 musical comedy Singing in the Rain to the 2012 epic musical drama Les Miserables, Hooray For Hollywood is a non-stop extravaganza of some of the greatest musical moments from the last 50 years of Hollywood film making presented live on stage. That’s “what” is being done, but it’s “how” it is done that makes this show such a wonderful entertainment experience.
When one considers that the performers in this show are performing some of the greatest musical moments in film making history the performance of the show’s singers and dancers is of critical importance. The vocal and dancing skills of this cast, in number after number, displays a level of talent that is absolutely amazing. The vocals are performed by Tony Turner, Cory Seay, Tiffany Sassanella, and Heather Petersen. The shows dancers are Becca Jennings, Amy Morlang, Shelley Tees, Kelly Weigand, Ruth Robertson, Tom Gray, Martin Bennett, Aaron LeMoine, Ollie Barrow, Clark Roberts and Charles Redding.
The way that the costuming, special effects and film clips are seamlessly integrated into each number with the vocals and dancing results in a different “mini production” for each different film and helps make this show the great entertainment experience it is. In the case of the film Titanic, it was a simple elegant “production” consisting of Tiffany Sassanella’s beautiful rendition of My Heart Will Go On,” accented by a beautiful gown, lighting effects and a video clip from the movie that created a unique and touching performance.
On the other hand, the “production” of “Less Miserables” involved three vocal solos, each with its own “mini set,” and the entire cast in its “finale.” The vocals, I Dreamed A Dream, by Tiffany Sassanella; On My Own, by Heather Petersen and Stars by Cory Seay, combined with the full cast performance of Do You Hear the People Sing, in this writer’s opinion, is one of the most powerful, moving and inspirational performances he has seen performed in a Branson show.
The "high flying" Heather Petersen performing "Feed The Birds" from Mary Poppins
And that’s just two of the many performances that follow, seamlessly one after the other. From many and realizing his opinion is subjective, this writers favorite three would be the “Usherette” opening to the show because it illustrates, very dramatically, the talent in this show the unique entertaining manner that will showcase that talent. Heather Peterson’s “hi flying” performance of Feed The Birds from Mary Poppins was as was another example of great vocal talent combined with “high flying special effects” and of course, as mentioned above, Less Miserables.
“It’s a tough act to follow,” comes into play when a show is presenting, live on stage, some of the most spectacular, memorable and beloved musical moments from over 50 years of Hollywood films. Hooray For Hollywood not only meets that challenge, but with its talented performers and great production makes those moments “its own.”
For additional information on Hooray For Hollywood please contact the Branson Tourism Center by calling 1-800-785-1550 or through its website, www.BransonTourismCenter.com.