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| Sean Paul and Juliane with Frankie |
Branson, Missouri is known for its fantastic selection and variety of shows, but of all the shows Branson offers there are very few of them that will hold the interest of a child for more than a few minutes. Grand Country’s Amazing Pet Show is one of those shows.
The good news for moms, dads, grandparents, and us “older kids” is that the show, while holding a child’s interest is a wonderful entertainment experience for adults too. A large part of the show’s enjoyment is the flow and ebb of its various elements comedy, audience participation, magic, “Frankie,” and the “amazing pets.”
That flow is controlled by Sean Paul who masterfully integrates the various elements of the show into an entertainment experience for “kids” of all ages. Sean Paul’s experience with providing entertainment for corporate group events gives him the expertise, talent, and ability to take what could be a “kids only” show and make it into an entertainment experience that will appeal to everyone. Of course the fact he also happens to be a magician, comedian, animal trainer, entertainer, and Frankie’s “dad” doesn’t hurt anything either.
After Stanley the Bell Hop, played by Chris Stanley warms up the crowd with his comedy antics and balloon artistry, Sean Paul introduces his lovely wife, Juliane and their “son Frankie.” To everyone’s delight “Frankie” turns out to be a cute Capuchins monkey that Sean Paul and Juliane have had for about seven years. Sean Paul said that for all practical purposes, Frankie is a member of their family, traveling with them just about everywhere they go and living in their home.
Frankie’s integration into the show is flawlessly done. In some areas, such as in one of the most unusual and humorous “Question and Answer” sessions a person will ever see, he plays a major part and in others a peripheral role, but his presence on stage at strategic times during the show, thanks to the backstage preparation and assistance of Juliane, always proves interesting and exciting.
Three diverse elements provide the transition from one step of the show to the next. The first is Sean Paul’s magic, the second his comedy and the third is the audience participation of different age children. All are artfully used throughout the show and without spoiling the surprise, involve all aspects of the show from rice toilet paper to Frankie and the dreaded and deadly “Mamba” and one of the cutest and most memorable twosomes on a bike a person will ever see.
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| Valery with feline pet just rolling along. |
A key element of the show is the pets. Trainer Valery Tsoraev has combined the antics of well trained cats and dogs, with costuming, and choreography and an execution that defines what the word “Amazing” in the title of the show means. Again, without spoiling the surprise, one thing is for sure, whether it’s the most unusual marriage ceremony most people have ever seen or a duplication of the cat jumping from the wire in the movie “Big Fish,” the antics of these pets is truly amazing.
During the intermission, a family from near Houston, Texas consisting of mom, Sheri, and her two daughters Megan and Madeline were asked what they thought of the show. Sheri said, “It was amazing” and commented on how much she enjoyed the comedy and audience participation. Both of the girls commented that they liked it and would see it again. When asked what their favorite part of the show was, Megan said she liked the ballerinas in the “Nutcracker” and Madeline liked the “doggie bike rides” and being up on stage.
Alena Oulianova and her trained birds add another element of variety, beauty, and surprise to the show. From the appearance of the “Fairy Princess” accompanied by dancing, aerobatic pigeons to the “Caribbean Pirate Girl” and her beautiful parrots this act and its incredible tricks is amazing.
At intermission and after the show, Sean Paul, Juliane and Frankie, Valery and one of his pets, and Stanley are available to meet and greet the audience. At the same time there are pictures and other show related items for sale but no hard sell was involved.
The Amazing Pets show is currently on break until March 14 at which time it will return for its first of three limited 2009 engagements. For additional information or to purchase tickets for this show please contact the Branson Tourism Center online or by phone at 800-785-1550.
