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| The Dutton Family on stage. |
On April 18 and again on May 7, the Ole seagull had the opportunity to see what he can only describe as an entertainment miracle, the Dutton Show at the Dutton Family theatre. Now he knows that some might take offense at a mere show being called a miracle but as the term “miracle” is defined in Webster’s, “an extremely outstanding or unusual event, thing, or accomplishment,” he would respectfully suggest that, even in a town like Branson where there is so much outstanding entertainment, the Dutton Show is so extremely outstanding and unusual that it meets that definition.
The Dutton Family’s musicality, originality, familial synergy, energy, and innate ability to share “themselves” and their feeling of caring about each other and others with their audience makes the Dutton family and their Show special, very special. When that is blended into a show designed, from the pre show to the finale, to showcase and share their considerable individual and combined talents and to entertain not only adults but children, the result is one of the most exciting, original, fast paced, unique, fun filled and entertaining shows you will ever experience. Bottom line, don’t miss this show!
For those that don’t want to read an entire review, here’s the Ole Seagulls “one paragraph review on all that most people will need to know about this show.” Reread the paragraph directly above this one.
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| World champion fire dancer, Anelu |
The pre show starts off with an exciting preview of one of Branson newest and truly unique shows, the Samoan Polynesian show called “Island of Fire.” It included a sample of the Samoan dancing in the show and their world champion Fire Knife Dancer Anelu. That was followed by a hilarious video introduction showing some of the alternative ways of spending a vacation besides seeing the Dutton show. Of course the reason you’re laughing is because you are sitting at the Dutton Show and not experiencing one of the alternatives that you are laughing at.
The opening number, a medley with songs such as “Got to Have a Fiddle in the Band,” “Rocky Top,” “I’ve Been Everywhere Man” jump starts the show and sets the mood for the energy, originality, talent, excitement and blessing that is to come. Perhaps “jump start” is not the term to use because it would indicate that things settled down after that but this show never settles down. It is just one continuous exciting “jump start” after another, to paraphrase one of my favorite comedians, “What a show!”
The instrumental, vocal, and dancing versatility and talent of this family is obvious throughout the show. Even as individual members showcase their special talents, Amy and Abigail on the fiddle (violin), Jonathan, singing, Judith on the key board, Timothy on just about any instrument, Benjamin dancing, Joshua on drums and harmonica, Dean the guitar and Sheila on the base, it is the synergy created when they combine those considerable talents with each other in the interesting and unique ways that they do during various segments of the show that creates and extremely outstanding entertainment experience.
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| Benjamin clogging with while playing fiddle. |
As but one example of many, early in the show as Amy and Abigail play the fiddles in “Foggy Mountain Breakdown” and “The Wabash Cannonball Josh blends in on the Harmonica, then here comes Benjamin clogging into the scene while playing the fiddle, and then there is a mandolin and a banjo worked in with Jonathan and the cast also doing vocals. Now here’s the trick, it’s not just that all those things happening, seemingly at once, it is artful and beautiful way that they are choreographed into the number so that the result is a seamless, exciting, and unique entertainment experience that is amazing.
Another would be the Dutton’s unique presentation the old fiddle classic “The Orange Blossom Special” in an original and dynamic manner. The showmanship, musical ability, and special effects combine to present this favorite fiddle classic in a new bright, colorful, and exciting manner that entertains adults and children alike even as it “keeps them in the dark.”
Benjamin displays his dancing skills on more than one occasion during the show but his routine during “Dynomite Fusion” was great. “Like father like son,” no sooner had his dad finished than his young son Benjamin came out and danced a similar routine to the delight of not only the children in the audience but everyone. Big Ben better watch out cause Little Ben’s pretty good. That apple didn’t fall far from the tree.
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| Mary Poppins segment with grandchildren. |
As was the case with Benjamin, it is the entertaining integration of the Dutton grandchildren into strategic segments of the show that not only entertains the adults but also holds the interest of the children in the audience. One such special segment was during the Mary Poppins segment when an awful lot of the 19 Dutton grand children assisted with “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” and “Steppin Time.”
Does anyone know who those penguins were or where those kids went after they went down into the “hole?” Would one of the talented Dutton grandchildren appearing in the show, Jessica, Rachel, Natalia, Benjamin, Gabriel, Issac, Timothy, Joshua, Selina, Grace, Elena, Julian, Christian, Seth, Nathaniel, Luke, Leila, and Damien happen to know? The more astute reader will note that only 18 are listed but the number 19 Dutton grandchild, who is on the way and due in October, also performed with them.
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Dad, Dean, doesn’t look too proud as he
performs with daughters Abigail and Amy. |
Although playing the fiddle (violin) was kind of what got the whole family headed into show business, and most of them play a fiddle at one time or another in the show, the featured fiddle players are Amy and Abigail. Simply put these ladies are two of the finest fiddle players one will ever hear. If, like the Ole Seagull, you love hearing the fiddle or violin then you have found your Nirvana. Amy’s version of Tchaikovsky’s Czardus (Hungarian Dance) on the violin demonstrates why she was voted Branson’s best violinist of the year.
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| Timothy plays the piano with his wife Judith. |
The amazing thing about this family is their musical versatility, they write, they sing, and they play a variety of instruments. But even within this extremely talented family the instrumental versatility of Timothy stands out. Although displayed throughout the show, these skills are dramatically featured in the shows presentation of the “Randy Lynn Rag” and demonstrate why he is called Branson’s most versatile instrumentalist.
A large part of the Dutton Show experience is the innate ability of the Dutton’s to relate what they are doing to their audience on a family to family and personal basis. No where is that more apparent or more beautifully and meaningfully done than in the segment of the show where each of the Dutton couples are introduced and then sing their original song, “I Will.” It’s an extremely lovely and moving expression of what the commitment of true love is!
From the pre show introduction to the finale comedy is subtly interwoven into the show. On second thought it’s subtly done when Sheila, the mom of the Dutton Family talks about her family but when it comes to her kids doing comedy its more raw laughter than subtly. The pre show video, the audience participation number that makes an Ole Seagull wish he was a “Teddy Bear,” the “intermission gig” and the “Superhero” piece with Benjamin and Brandi, all serve to illustrate the point. But then whether done subtly or not laughter is still laughter and there is plenty of humor, joy, and laughter in this show.
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| One of the neatest Finales you will ever see! |
As would be expected in most Branson shows there is a patriotic segment with an acknowledgement of members of the military and veterans but there was just something in the way the Dutton’s did it that touched an Ole Seagull’s heart. From Bella Dutton’s poignant introduction, the arrangement and presentation of the whole segment, to the separate acknowledgments of the members of each branch of our Armed Forces as they stood and their theme song was played and sung, to “America the Beautiful” and Bellas’s graceful dancing it was, to this ten year U.S. Marine Veteran, very special.
It would be easy to say they saved the best to last but from the very first number in the show, it’s apparent that the Dutton’s only know how to give their best. The show’s finale, “Boil Them Cabbage Down,” is a continuation of that effort and then some. As the Dutton’s go from instrument to instrument, ending up with all of them simultaneously playing another members fiddle the result is a combination of musicality, instrumental versatility, and showmanship that is as exciting and entertaining a performance as anyone is ever likely to see.
The showmanship, musicality, originality, familial synergy, energy, and their innate ability to share “themselves” and their feeling of caring about each other and others with their audience makes the Dutton family and this show special. Bottom line, you don’t want yourself or your family to miss this show!
For further information or to purchase tickets by phone or on line, call 1-800-451-3791 or click here.
Photos by Basil Groman (complete photo gallery here)
