Branson, MO – Yakov Smirnoff, America’s Favorite Russian, announced thathe’ll be moving to a new location in Branson, Missouri in 2004. “After
years of selling out shows in Branson at my present theater I knew it was
time to move to a larger theater. I’m pleased to announce that I’ll be
opening my show in 2004 at the newly renamed Yakov Smirnoff Theatre at the
corner of Highway 65 and 248.” Yakov’s present theater only seats 1300
visitors and the new location seats 2200.
“My new theater will allow me to entertain more fans and also makes us the
first theater in Branson as you arrive from the North. Much easier to
find, comfortable seating, and plenty of parking, plus there is outstanding
lighting and sound, along with additional space for our props.” said Yakov.
“I love the idea of being the first theater to greet visitors to Branson
and we’ve got some big plans for adding a fun, inviting look to the outside
of the theater. Besides that when I arrived in Branson in 1993, I thought
Mel Tillis owned Branson!”
Yakov will open for 2004 at his new location in Branson, Missouri on
Wednesday, April 14, 2004, at 9:30 AM. The theater, built by Mel Tillis in
1992, has also been the Branson home for Larry Gatlin & Gatlin Brothers,
Billy Ray Cyrus, Rick Springfield, Debbie Boone, Pat Boone, and many other
great entertainers. The theater will be renamed the Yakov Smirnoff Theatre
and is presently referred to as the Will Rogers Theatre.
It’s been quite a year for Yakov Smirnoff. Yakov premiered his hilarious
one-man Broadway show, “As Long As We Both Shall Laugh” in New York City.
Originally scheduled to run for six weeks, by popular demand the show was
extended to a twelve week run. As part of the successful run of “As Long
As We Both Shall Laugh” on Broadway, 5-Time Emmy Award winning director,
David Stern, shot the show for a PBS Special as well as for a video and DVD
released November 17, 2003. With positive reviews of “As Long As We Both
Shall Laugh”, including the New York Times calling Yakov “splendidly funny,
sometimes poignant, and always entertaining”, Yakov will be touring “As
Long As We Both Shall Laugh” across the country throughout 2004, while
still doing over 170 shows at his new theater location in Branson,
Missouri.
Yakov says, “I get the best of both worlds. Traveling across America to
perform and coming back to my theater in Branson allows me to continue to
expand my horizons, enjoy my family, and exercise my creative energy. Only
in Branson can you find a Japanese fiddler and a Russian Comedian playing
to sold out shows day after day. What A Country!”