great show

Written by boanite

i thought kirby's show was great..i loved the cats and all the illusions and after the show he was so kind to his fans.and spent a very long time talking with us

A Magical Experienc!

Written by Jerm

This is a unique reveiw because I just finished reading a review from someone else that was at the performance the same night I was and we both have very different perspectives. That is perfectly ok, that is what makes it fun. Everyone has their own likes and dislikes.:)

I have seen Kriby before several times and I've also saw Brett last year in his show at the Grand Palace. I was very anxious to see both of their combined talents in their brand new show together at the Grand Palace. When we arrived we noticed that they were doing some work to the outside to the Grand Palace. Which I am very thankful for. I really appreciate that they are maintaining this beautiful theater. There were tons of people in the lobby milling around waiting to be let in the theater. To me it just added a bit more suspense wondering what they were doing in there. When we were let in we had a little wait for the show to start but there again it didn't bother us. We had fun visiting with the people seated next to us. The center section of the Grand Palace was almost filled. Some started clapping and then the show started. I didn't hear any music being turned up to cover the clappling of the people. If any music was turned up it was the music to start the show.

From seeing both entertainers individual shows I've seen all the illusions except for one before. Even having seen them already I still couldn't figure out how they were done. I know there is a "trick" to them but it would still take a lot of practice and precise movements to pull the illusions off and for that I applaud them. One false move could destroy the entire illusion. Some illusions were done at an angel from where I was sitting and I still couldn't figure out how they did that. I saw nothing that let me in on the secrets to the illusions. The bulk of this show is each peformer performing individually but there are a few instances when they perform an illusion together. Each performer had people working for them in their individual shows and in this new combined show they took both casts and combined them into one show. There are some female dancers that are also assistants that performs some very nice dance numbers throughout the show. The dance numbers aren't just filler they give you a sneak peak at what the theme is for the next bit of magic.

Some standout moments for me in this show includes a new illusion that Brett performs. He uses Vince Gill's song "Go Rest High On That Mountain". He "levitates" to the very top of the Grand Palace state. It was awesome! I also really enjoy the exotic animals that Kirby uses in the show. When I saw his show last year, I don't think he ever took any of the animals out of their cages. This year he does take a couple out of their cages and walks them to the side of the stage. I think that is neat because it allows you to see the animals better. Speaking of animals he takes this snake out this box and kind of moves it close to the people in the front row. One lady in the front screamed which cracked me up. If I was sitting up there I would have probably wet my pants, LOL! Another illusion that I really enjoyed is one where Brett and a female get on a motorcycle and are rasied to the top of the stage and then all of a sudden they are gone. I won't tell you how this illusion ends in case you go and see it. Having see almost all of the illusions before the fun for me was listening to the comments around me from people that have never seen the show before. The people sitting next to me, probably in their 40's, have never seen either performer before. They OOOH and AWWWWD through the whole thing. The people behind us were talking at intermission about how they couldn't figure out the tricks. From the standing ovation at the end of the show there were lots of mystified people that left the Grand Palace that night. I wouldn't hesitate in telling people to go and see this show for themselves. I wouldn't mind going to see it again myself.

:):)

Kirby Van Burch Show

Written by libraria

Kirby Van Burch was great! When he first came out on stage, I thought I was going to be disappointed, cause I thought he looked a little "arrogant", but as the show went on, he showed himself to be a caring, funny person. His wife, Bambi, was great. Cost was $26. I also spent an addtl $10.00 to go on the after-show backstage tour, which was very interesting. He and Bambi signed pictures for everyone, they were very pleasant. One of their poodles was in the room also, being friendly to all. The poodle was "Speckles"; not much body hair, but what she had on her head was pink. Also got to see the white tiger, two bengal tigers and the black leopard in their traveling cages. The animals are well cared for, and not asked to do anything they don't want to do.

The Kirby Van Burch Show

Written by JonC

Kirby Van Burch, in my opinion, is the best illusionist in Branson. He's billed as "the Prince of Magic" and for good reason. Let me temper that statement by saying that I think all the magic shows playing are wonderful in their own ways - some use song, some use comedy, some use pure razzle-dazzle. But my favorite for pure "magic" is Kirby. From his signature (and unbelievable!) illusion, the revealing onstage of a 35 foot Bell helicopter in four seconds, to the integration of his exotic animal family, including a royal white Bengal tiger, assorted leopards, a panther and a lion, he hands-down out-performs all the rest of the "purveyors of prestidigitation" (that's magic to us regular folk.) The show is also billed as having beautiful sets, an award winning dance troupe, and hilarious comedy - true on all three fronts. The sets are carefully crafted and lit to perfection so as to lend a wonderful backdrop for the jaw-dropping illusions, the dance troupe is Broadway caliber, performing intricate routines with ease, precision and most importantly, high energy. Unfortunately I didn't get the name of the choreographer, but whoever it is did his/her job well! The comedy comes in all forms and from unexpected sources: some from Kirby himself and his lovely wife Bambi and then the show comedian who hits just the right notes for a family-oriented show, staying away from "blue" material and yet staying bright and topical. All in all, I think the Kirby Van Burch Show is one of the best shows I've seen in Branson, or anywhere for that matter.