Stars of America’s all-time favorite variety show will reunite in Branson for nine performances at the Welk Resort Theatre in September 2006. Original guest stars from the Lawrence Welk television show scheduled to appear in the Welk Stars Reunion include Ralna English and Guy Hovis, Ava Barber, Jo Ann Castle, Ken Delo, Arthur Duncan, Jack Imel, Mary Lou Metzger along with Tim Padilla.
The Welk Stars Reunion is set for September 5 through 9, 2006. Showtimes are Tuesday at 8 p.m. and Wednesday through Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m. Tickets may be purchased at ReserveBranson.com.
“The Welk Show enjoyed 11 tremendous seasons in Branson,” said Joe Sullivan, Executive Producer of Welk-Sullivan Productions. “Many of these entertainers performed across America during 2005 to celebrate 50 years of Lawrence Welk on TV. We’re thrilled to be able to reunite these talented, beloved entertainers once again at the Welk Resort Theatre in Branson for this very special limited engagement,” he said.
“The Lawrence Welk Show” was broadcast for 27 years -- on the ABC television network from July 1955 to September 1971 and in syndication from 1971 to 1982. Demanding that his shows be clean and wholesome, Welk featured easy-listening music performed by a “family” of wholesome musicians, singers and dancers. The show’s enduring popularity has been proven time and again through highly rated re-runs and specials on PBS since 1987 and 11 years of live performances at The Welk Resort Theatre in Branson.
The Welk Resort and Theatre are located 3 miles south of Highway 76 on State Highway 165. The destination resort complex opened in 1994 and includes a 160-room hotel, the Stage Door Restaurant & Lounge, a miniature golf course, swimming pool, game room and other amenities. The 2,245-seat theatre near Table Rock Lake was been home to The Lawrence Welk Show from 1994 through 2004. A new alliance announced in October 2003 united the Welk Resort Group and SullivanShows in a venture designed to bring a vast array of new shows to Branson. Welk-Sullivan Productions has operated, managed and marketed the Welk Resort Theatre in Branson since January 1, 2004.