(CelebrityAccess News Service) – A new alliance will unite the Welk Resort
Group and SullivanShows in a venture designed to bring a diverse array of new
shows to Branson, MO. Effective January 1, Welk-Sullivan Productions will
begin to operate, manage and market the Welk Resort Theatre in Branson.
“We are very pleased to join with Joe Sullivan in this new venture,” said
Larry Welk, president of Welk Resort Group. “I don’t believe anyone has a better knowledge of the Branson market than Joe and we feel that together we can bring an exciting array of shows to the Welk Resort Theatre.”
Joe Sullivan, president of The Sullivan Company, will be responsible for booking acts, managing theater operations, production, entertainment/theater sales and marketing, budgeting and staffing. SullivanShows operations will move to the Welk Resort Theatre at the end of the 2003 season. Staff from SullivanShows and Welk Resort Theatre will be combined.
“We are very excited about the opportunity to present shows all year long
at the Welk Resort Theatre,” Sullivan said. “When we brought The Moody
Blues to the venue earlier this year, we recognized that fans love the
up-close and personal experience this intimate theater affords. When the
concert was over, they loved the fact that there was live music available
for another two hours in the Stage Door Lounge, just off the theater lobby.
Many of them stayed on the property at the Welk Resort Hotel, so it was much
more than a concert for them, it was a complete entertainment experience.
Our plan is to offer a repeat of this experience, with a variety of
artists, many times in the years to come. A complete talent
lineup for 2004 will be announced in the next few weeks.” SullivanShows is presenting Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers in their
third season in Branson. The Gatlin’s 2003 schedule at The Will Rogers
Theater runs through December 13. The final limited engagement event for
SullivanShows in 2003 is The Elvis Presley Story starring Ronnie McDowell,
The Jordanaires, Scotty Moore and D.J. Fontana at The Will Rogers Theater on
Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. Other limited engagements presented this year by SullivanShows include Rick Springfield, The 5th Dimension, Billy Ray Cyrus and artists for the SummerFest ’03 Concerts on the Landing including Foreigner lead singer Lou Gramm, Christopher Cross, Gary Lewis &The Playboys and other ‘60s &‘70s
artists.
SullivanShows has also produced the BransonFest “Big Shows” since 1993.
BransonFest kicks off the spring season in Branson, showcasing Branson
entertainment, attractions, arts, outdoor adventure and cuisine.
BransonFest 2004 is set for April 6 – 10 at the Welk Resort.
Larry Welk opened the Welk Champagne Theatre and Resort in 1994. The
2,245-seat theater near Table Rock Lake has been home to The Lawrence Welk
Show since 1994. This year the theater was renamed The Welk Resort Theatre.
The destination resort complex includes a 160-room hotel, the Stage Door
Restaurant & Lounge, a miniature golf course, swimming pool, game room and
other family-friendly amenities. The Welk Resort Group will continue to
operate the hotel and restaurant. Welk-Sullivan Productions will operate
the theater, concessions and gift shop.–Bob Grossweiner and Jane Cohen
