Kenny Rogers joins Branson Landing's festivities
November 22, 2013


Santa and the cast of The Toy Shoppe gather around Kenny Rogers and his family. Helping to cut the ribbon are Kenny's two twin sons, Jordan and Justin and Chloe Channell, a star in the show. In the background is Kenny's wife, Wanda Miller Rogers. At far right is Kelly Junkermann, co-director of the new production.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the grand opening of the Toy Shoppe Express Train that circles Santa's Tree House took place in Branson Landing's Town Square (across from the fountains) early this month.

Kenny Rogers and his wife Wanda, their twin boys named Jordan and Justin have front seats on Branson Landing's Toy Shoppe Express Train. Santa and community members joined them on the inaugural ride.

Making a guest appearance was singer/song writer Kenny Rogers, joined by performer Billy Dean. Rogers was promoting his new holiday musical, The Toy Shoppe that he created with Kelly Junkermann and two of his band members who wrote the music. Starring Dean and Chloe Channell from "America's Got Talent" fame, it will be performed at the Starlite Theatre, 3115 W. Hwy. 76 in Branson.

The show is "perfect for this city," Rogers said. "It's about families."

The plot, stressing appreciation for the value of every individual, involves storytelling by Hank Longley (Dean), owner of Longley's Toy Shoppe where toys come to life. The audience is introduced to Hero the Dog, Cheeseball the Mouse and Bruno the Bear, who with Longley provide old fashioned entertainment for the entire family.

Rogers, with an impressive career spanning seven decades, said he was "excited" about the production and just "a little bit nervous." When asked whether he would come back to perform in Branson, he told his assembled well-wishers, that maybe he would sing "White Christmas" as an introduction to The Toy Shoppe show. They wanted to hear the songs that had chronicled his life.

For tickets call the Starlite at (417) 337-9333.

Click on any photo to start a slideshow of photos taken during the ribbon cutting ceremony and the luncheon afterward.





Photos by Mari Winn Taylor & Vince Rosati

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