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Christmas Shows at Grand Rivers Variety Begin This Month!

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Grand Rivers Variety! Christmas
 

Well, Kentucky, it’s the day after Halloween, and that always means a couple of things…

  • My Christmas lights, snowmen, elves, Santas, tree, and Baby Jesus all come out of the garage and into the house as pumpkins, ghosts, bats, and goblins come out of the house and go into the garage.
  • I tweak my Thanksgiving menu and recipes.
  • I begin a chorus of, “Why didn’t I start shopping earlier this year?!” – a chorus that doesn’t end until December 26th.
  • Christmas shows begin at Grand Rivers Variety in Grand Rivers, Kentucky!

If you’ve never been to one of the Christmas shows at Badgett Playhouse, you have to stop procrastinating and buy your tickets now! We love Grand Rivers Variety shows so much that I always feel that if I could just get everyone to attend ONE show, they’ll be hooked and instantly become regulars.  Honestly, once you treat yourself to one of the wonderful musical and/or comedy shows, you’ll want to see them all.

When it comes to the Christmas shows at Grand Rivers Variety, my personal favorites are:

The first three shows, along with a few other Christmas shows, will be shown throughout November and December. You can read about each of these Christmas shows on Grand Rivers Variety‘s website.

Attending any (or better yet, all!) of these shows will make the Christmas season even sweeter.  Hearing your favorite Christmas songs performed live is simply too beautiful to describe. Although it happened a few years ago, I still remember a standing ovation a young man received during a showing of Variety! Christmas.  My ears remember his spellbinding voice, my eyes remember the tears, and my arms distinctly recall the goosebumps.

Now ask me again why you should buy your tickets today.

You can, honestly, make this your best Christmas season ever. But why stop there?  Why not give a loved one (or loved ones) a Christmas gift they’ll remember for the rest of their life?  You could tell treat a mother, father, grandmother, grandfather, or other family member to a matinee show, followed by dinner at a local restaurant or to dinner, followed by an evening show. Tell them this is “one” of their Christmas gifts, then wait (at the end of the evening) for the inevitable, “You don’t have to get me anything else!”

See our Grand Rivers section to learn more about this ridiculously beautiful, cozy, and friendly town.  Find Kentucky Restaurants in the area and make the trip even sweeter!

We’ve taken friends and family to Grand Rivers Variety before and they always want to know the same thing… when are we going back?!  I’ve gotten to where I just wait for the question – because it’ll either be, “When’s the next show we can see?,” “What other shows are your favorites?,” “Are all the shows that fun?”  

 

A Tuna Christmas at Grand Rivers Variety

My parents and my in-laws would have loved the Grand Rivers Variety shows as much as we do.  If they were still living, we’d take them to ever single one! My dad was a lot like me, so I know A Tuna Christmas would have been a favorite. We’d have both been laughing so hard the rest of our group wouldn’t have claimed us.  Trust me, if you know anyone who’s favorite thing to do is laugh – buy your tickets to A Tuna Christmas today.

Read my first A Tuna Christmas Review.

See Grand Rivers Variety for dates, times, and ticket information. There’s no time like the present… and you won’t find presents than this!

More Grand Rivers Variety Reviews & News on Genuine Kentucky:

Big Band Christmas Show at Grand Rivers Variety

Grand Rivers, Kentucky and Beautiful Kentucky Lake

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Lighthouse Landing in Grand Rivers, KY

Grand Rivers, Kentucky is really a one-of-a-kind place.  The beautiful little village lies between a couple of lakes you may have heard of: Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake. We have, literally walked from Kentucky Lake (at Lighthouse Landing) to Lake Barkley (at Green Turtle Bay Resort and Marina).  It’s not a short walk, and it’s not necessarily an easy walk, but it is a VERY enjoyable one.

If you aren’t familiar with Grand Rivers, I have a few links I want you to check out. I’d love nothing more than for you to fall in love with the “Village Between the Lakes.”  I know that all I have to do to make that happen is to get you there just once – Grand Rivers will take care of the rest.

  • You can read all of the articles I’ve written and pictures we’ve taken by clicking the following link.  Be warned, though, there are many glowing reviews: Grand Rivers, Kentucky.
  • You can also read my (again many and glowing) Grand Rivers Variety Reviews.
  • You don’t have to go all the way to Nashville or Branson, Missouri for entertainment – you can just go to Grand Rivers! The talent at Grand Rivers Variety will blow you away.  Read more about Grand Rivers Variety and buy tickets for an upcoming show. Thank me later.
  • Visit Green Turtle Bay‘s website to learn about condos on the lake, boat rentals, Docker’s Bayside Grill (outstanding burgers!!!!!).  These people are so unbelievably friendly and warm. You’ll love them… even more than the burgers.
  • Check out our photo album on Genuine Kentucky for pictures of Grand Rivers.

Red, White, and Tuna: You’ll Laugh Until You Cry and That’s a Promise

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Red White and Tuna Grand Rivers Variety

I sat at my computer (much needed coffee cup to the left, much beloved cat to the right) for about 10 minutes this morning trying to think of an appropriate opening sentence for this review.  You see, I’m impossibly obsessed with the Greater Tuna shows at Grand Rivers Variety.  And this isn’t just any review, this is a Tuna Review. Everything has to be just right!

Here’s the thing. One of my most defining characteristics is this: I love to laugh – the more the better.  Got it from my dad. He was incredibly generous with laughs and I’m not the least bit stingy with mine.  Naturally, a lifelong lover of laughter is drawn to things that make them burst out with CRAZY laughter – the kind that makes everything in the world disappear.  Everything except the raining endorphins brought on by laughter.

The Greater Tuna shows put on at Grand Rivers Variety don’t just rain laughter, they cause floods. It may not have been on the news, but there was a flood in Grand Rivers last night. Fortunately, we were all washed away by “feel good” endorphins as opposed to “get wet” water.

The boys (Bill Minihan and Steve Sherling) were all over their game last night.  These two incredibly talented and hilarious actors could hold their own with anyone – Steve Carell, Jack Black, Robert Downey, Jr., Dane Cook… In fact, and this is no lie – as much as I love this list of comic actors (each are personal favorites), I had just as soon see a Greater Tuna show in Grand Rivers as one of their movies.  I’m not sure how we, as Kentuckians, got such a lucky draw. These guys could be in Hollywood right now, in movies or on tv, making millions do the CRAZY laugh – as opposed to working their mojo in beautiful Grand Rivers, Kentucky.

We got VERY lucky.

Even though it was a Wednesday, the crowd last night was really good.  I was afraid that the middle of the week would cause a problem, but apparently I’m not the only one who loves to laugh.  The crowd (of all ages) was practically in a fit of laughter the entire time. Some who were sitting around us had never seen a Greater Tuna show and I felt like looking at them and going, “I know, right?!” but it’s hard to speak when you’re doubled over laughing.

Speaking of crazy laughter – why, when we’re in fits of laughter do we hold our cheeks or cover our mouths? Are we attempting to keep our facial parts in place?  I understand the doubling over. One has to find a position in which they can breath. Such gyrations!

At one point, I even slapped my husband’s arm – as though it was his fault I was being swept away in a fit of laughter.  Fortunately he has big arms and was busy laughing, himself.

A little background, in case you aren’t familiar with the Greater Tuna shows. Two actors (the aforementioned Bill Minihan and Steve Sherling) brilliantly portray a town of colorful nuts and hysterical misfits from the fictional town of Greater Tuna, Texas.  When the boys step out in drag, they literally have to wait to say their lines after the laughter dies down.  Words cannot possibly do their characters or their performances justice.  I’ve seen a great number of bucket lists and “Things to See Before You Die” books, but I’d respectfully suggest each one add this one: See Bill Minnihan and Steve Sherling as the ladies (ladies???) of Greater Tuna.

Visions you’ll never, ever forget. Bill makes a lot of woman… a whole lot of woman, and Steve’s footwear was absolutely killer.  The thought of him strutting around in heels makes me laugh even now.  These two performers lose themselves in these deliciously outrageous characters the way LeBron James loses himself in basketball, John Grisham loses himself in writing, and Halle Berry loses herself in loveliness.  They are willing to go to any and all lengths to entertain their crowds – and that’s just what they do.

It’s as though laughter is their life source and the more laughter they bring about, the longer they’re allowed to live. If there’s truth behind this theory, apparently these boys want to live forever.

From Grand Rivers Variety’s website: The much anticipated third installment in the Tuna trilogy takes the audience through another satirical ride into the hearts and minds of the polyester-clad citizens of Texas’ third smallest town. Along with Tuna’s perennial favorites, some new Tuna denizens burst into the 4th of July Tuna High School Class Reunion. This sets the stage for a show full of fireworks and fun!

Fireworks, fun, and a flood.  They forgot to mention the flood.

During the first fifteen minutes, I kept trying to remember favorite, classic lines to tell my daughters (and to include in this post).  However, after about 20 minutes into the show, I’d ran out of fingers to count them on as well as the ability to reason.  It’s all good, though.  Crazy laughter can sweep me away anytime it wants.  I was delighted to see that some new insanely funny characters had been added, but even more thrilled to see old favorites back – more deliciously entertaining than ever.

My husband told me that he’d heard that this one was EVEN funnier than the others.  I kind of scoffed and thought, “As if. Nothing could be funnier than the other Greater Tuna shows.”  At one point (it was either right after I popped my husband’s arm or right at the time the stranger beside me slapped mine), I stopped scoffing and conceded that this one was, indeed, the funniest one yet.

If the thought of three hours of GREAT entertainment, CRAZY laughter, and rushing floods of endorphins sounds like a good time to you, I strongly urge you to head over to Grand Rivers Variety and buy tickets.  Pronto! There aren’t many shows left and this is one you’d be a nut to let get away.

As we were leaving, I noticed that (like us) everyone else was still laughing – and most of us were holding our stomachs. Laughter is such a glorious ab workout.

One final thought: It doesn’t matter what age you are, Greater Tuna will give you an evening you’ll never forget.  Directly in front of us were two rows of high school kids.

They spent the evening doubled over laughing hysterically.  Directly beside us (and in the row behind us) were people who… well, let’s just say they’d been out of high school longer than most of us have been out of diapers.  They were also lost in fits of crazy laughter.  All of us had the time of our lives and felt it from our heads to our toes.

At one point (and it’s worth noting that we were only an hour into the hilarity) a woman behind me laughed so hard she snorted.  It was after one of Bill Minihan’s big women sashayed onto the stage.  The lady told her husband, “I’ve never laughed so much in all my life!”  They both just kept laughing and laughing – along with everyone else in the theater.  A bunch of red-faced, doubled-over, laughing, snorting, people having the time of their lives.

That’s my kind of evening!

People who, if they could take the time to think and reason, would feel woefully sorry for anyone and everyone on the outside of the theater. There was so much happiness and fun in the air that it crackled.

That, dear readers, is what you can expect from a trip to Greater Tuna.

Again, please go to Grand Rivers Variety and order your tickets right now.  I want YOU to have the same wonderful time we all did last night. I want YOU to remember what it’s like to get so swept away by laughter and fun that everything else slides away.

It’s a natural high that even caffeine can’t touch.

Also, if you’re on Twitter… and you really should be!… follow Grand Rivers Variety (@GRVariety). They’ll keep you updated on new shows, show times, and a lot more.

Click HERE for 2013 Red, White, and Tuna Dates!

More Grand Rivers Variety Reviews & News on Genuine Kentucky:

 

Ring of Fire: The Johnny Cash Musical Show at Grand Rivers Variety

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Johnny Cash Ring of Fire at Grand Rivers Variety

Saturday night, my husband and I took a couple of friends to see Ring of Fire: The Johnny Cash Musical Show in beautiful Grand Rivers, Kentucky at the Badgett Playhouse.  If you’ve read Genuine Kentucky for any length of time, you know that we frequently see shows at the Badgett Playhouse.  They’re always a lot of fun and this show was no exception.

Before I launch into Ring of Fire, I just want to rave a little bit about Badgett Playhouse, Grand Rivers, and the Variety! Music, Memories, & More shows and cast. My husband (Michael) and I also frequently go to the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. We see shows at the Opry as well as the Ryman. We always have a great time – Nashville restaurants, combined with the great talent keep us coming back.

I’d love for more Kentuckians (as well as people in other states) to realize that we have a “baby Nashville” in our own backyard. No, Grand Rivers doesn’t have as many restaurants as Nashville (Thank goodness! Who needs the traffic?!) – but many would say that the infamous Patti’s Settlement more than makes up for it.

A few quick facts about Patti’s Settlement (from Grand Rivers.org)

  • VOTED #1 Restaurant for Tourism by the State of Kentucky
  • Blue Chip Award given by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
  • Pork Producers Award
  • General Manager was voted Manager of the Year by Kentucky Restaurant Association
  • Voted #1 by Southern Living Magazine’s Reader’s Choice Award for Best Small Town Restaurant in Southeast United States

Other outstanding restaurants in the area include Willow Pond (Calvert City and Eddyville), Lake Barkley State Resort Park Lodge’s restaurant, Catfish Kitchen (Draffenville), and Majestic Pizza and Steakhouse (Draffenville – some of the best pizza anywhere!).

Trust me, I can vouch for each of these restaurants – they’re excellent. If you’re lodging in the area, and time isn’t a problem, you can find even more restaurants in Paducah, Benton, Murray, and Aurora. If you ever get a chance to eat at Aurora’s Willow Pond, do so. The hush puppies will blow your very mind.

The Variety! Music, Memories, & More shows are as entertaining as the shows we see in Nashville.  Each time I leave, I wonder, “Why aren’t these singers, comedians, musicians, and dancers in Nashville?”  I don’t say it out loud, of course, because I don’t want Nashville to know they’re here.  Why spoil a great thing?!

Ring of Fire: The Johnny Cash Musical Show

Have you ever raved about something (a restaurant, movie, tv show…) to someone, then when they watch it – held your breath, hoping they liked it as much?  With most things in life, it sort of plays out like that. However, whenever we take friends or family to a Variety! Music, Memories, & More show, I’ve never held my breath once. I KNOW, beyond a hint of doubt, that the people involved will never let us down.

Never have. Never will.

The friends we took were from Nashville, so they’ve seen, and heard, some great entertainment. It was wonderful to know that they’d see great entertainment on this night as well.  One minute into the show, they were laughing, tapping hands on their legs, and having a great time. Honestly, there was never any doubt in my mind that the rock would roll just like that.

The show was one that every Johnny Cash fan will want to see. Not only do the ridiculously talented singers and musicians do the songs GREAT justice, you’re treated to precious footage and memories of Johnny Cash, his life, and his childhood. It all blends together perfectly to celebrate the life and music of the Man in Black. It’s a 2 hour tribute that you wish would last a couple of more hours.

The show included “regulars” that we know and love: Sara Minihan, Scot Durham, Eddie Holland, Thomas Michael, and Stephanie Jo Newton. I was reminded, again, of how much Stephanie Jo Newton’s voice reminds me of one of my favorite country star’s, Lee Ann Womack. Thomas Michael, who is consistently a crowd favorite, was featured heavily in this show and it was a stroke of genius. His rich, beautiful voice was ideal for Johnny Cash songs. The musicians were, as always, outstanding.

Unfortunately, the website (Grand Rivers Variety) doesn’t have the Cast list featured for this particular show, so I can’t give the name of the drummer – but he was really something special!

Fortunately, my husband and I were so impressed with two new faces that he took my notebook and asked Bill Minihan for their names! Barry Jobe and Chad Mullins blew us away. Suffice to say, they were two more performers who had me wondering, “Now… just why aren’t they on stage at The Grand Ole Opry or in Nashville making country music?!” Of course, this was wondered silently. Many times over. Shhh, we don’t want Nashville taking them away just yet.

Barry Jobe did quite a few vocals and did so beautifully. Chad Mullins also did vocals, in addition to playing the banjo unlike I’ve ever heard it played before. I was mesmerized. If either is ever in concert, I’m so there.

Front row.

The whole night was memorable, fun, and very entertaining. One of my favorite moments was the song Jackson by Thomas Michael and Stephanie Jo Newton.  Their voices were wonderful together and each did their parts perfectly. Stephanie Jo, at a young age, is outstanding at something that many performers (even veterans) don’t quite get: You don’t have to “oversell” great songs, great writing, and great talent.  You just let it flow. It’s something I’d noticed before about her and, when I realized that she’d be singing Jackson with Thomas, I thought, “This will be a true test..” After all, the song is so spirited and fun, it would have been really easy to go overboard with facial expressions and try to FORCE the audience to have a good time.

Stephanie Jo and Thomas each realized that the song, the lyrics, and the story they told were the real stars, and they gave them center stage. By doing so, they showed their own star power.

I hope you’ll make your way to beautiful Grand Rivers, Kentucky and see Ring of Fire: The Johnny Cash Musical Show.

Click HERE for 2013  Ring of Fire dates!

More Grand Rivers Variety Reviews & News on Genuine Kentucky:

With The Fabulous 50’s Show, Fabulous is an Understatement

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The Fabulous 50s Show at Grand Rivers Variety

There were a couple of standing ovations, dancing in the aisles, and an audience full of happy, twisting, singing, laughing,  clapping, and thrilled individuals who were having the time of their lives.

It wasn’t a Montgomery Gentry concert or a Johnny Depp autograph signing.  And it wasn’t even me in a Starbucks, though the description’s fitting.  It all went down in beautiful Grand Rivers, Kentucky at Badgett Playhouse  The Fabulous 50’s Show lived up to its name and then some.

The dance numbers were fantastic and the singing was even better.  As always, there was plenty of humor and remarkable chemistry among the cast members.  The majority of the audience (except for, maybe, 10 of us) lived through the 50’s the first time around and seemed to be totally enthralled by the lovely trip home afforded by this extremely talented group of performers.

I’ve always loved 50’s music and these singers brought it to life as beautifully as anyone could have.  Michael Inge was so powerfully moving during one of his ballads that we all gave him a standing ovation.  As you know, I’ve been to The Grand Ole Opry on a number of occasions and I can tell you, truthfully, I’ve never heard anything any better.  Ever.

I loved the entire show, as did the sold out crowd. There were a few great  films during the show as well. One showed several commercials from the 50’s and they were beyond hilarious.  I kept thinking, “Are you kidding me?!” – You’ll have to see them to believe them.

The costumes were also incredible, as were the sets.  A very, very friendly couple from Paducah who sat beside us (and lived through the 50’s) were saying how everything was “just right.” The lady said, “It was just like that.”  I think she was especially moved by the fact that, according to her, Bill Minihan’s character was “exactly” like her husband was.  She even used the word “cocky!”  I loved it.  When I was leaving, I wanted to have a chance to tell each of the performers how amazing they were but they were, literally, swarmed with ecstatic men and women who were doing just that. Ironically, the couple beside us were talking to the Minihan’s (Bill and Sara) and I didn’t want to interrupt.  So I just floated outside and watched, joyfully, as others came floating out – each a little happier than the last.

The smiles? They lit up the little town of Grand Rivers.

You have one more opportunity to see The Fabulous 50’s Show this year – on September 4.  Please click HERE for ticket information.  If you know anyone who lived during the 50’s or anyone who wished they’d seen the fun firsthand, invite them along.  I promise you, you’ll all have the time of your life.

In fact, any time you get a chance to see a show at Grand Rivers Variety, don’t hesitate for even a second.  Get thyself to The Badgett Playhouse Theater in Grand Rivers, Kentucky every chance you get.  You’ll never be disappointed.  Their always entertaining Variety! Music, Memories & More show is currently running – it’s definitely a must-see.  Check out the full schedule on GrandRiversVariety.com and grab your tickets ahead of time.  It’ll be the smartest thing you did since you began drinking coffee.

More Grand Rivers Variety Reviews & News on Genuine Kentucky:

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