Haygoods Shows Review from Dec. 2009-Jan. 2010

WOW! It doesn't seem like it has been a few weeks since we were in Branson. The last Haygoods show we attended was December 2008. The year flew by and the anticipation grew. I try to bring a little of 'home' to Timothy, Patrick, Dominic,Shawn,Michael,Matthew, Catherine and Aaron Haygood. This time it was homemade Vietnamese eggrolls (made by a coworker) and Whitey's Sgt. Camo ice cream. The ice cream is graham cracker with marshmallow creme and dark chocolate swirled throughout. It tastes like a frozen smores. It was interesting in keep both frozen from Davenport Ia to Branson Mo. But, nothing thawed and it arrived safely. Joanna and I arrived Wednesday the 30th and went directly to the Americana Theatre to get our tickets. What a delightful surprise to have Patrick (aka Dimples) there to meet us and collect the goodies. We got our tickets and then headed to the hotel to unpack and get ready for the first of our four Haygood shows. Our seats were all FRONT row center and we knew they would not have a normal show the entire time. We actually warned them that 'you have had a calm year until now...haha'. But, we were also told by a couple of them that they missed us and were looking forward to the antics. Prior to the shows Patrick comes out and all three sections have a balloon sack race. Needless to say we only won on one night. We made some new friends and go reacqainted with our other friends. Lots of cheers, hollars, YEE HAAAWs and laughs all week. During the introduction of each family member we made sure they knew they were appreciated. When they do the 'Blues Brothers' SHOUT routine the entire family has on dark shades. As the lights dimmed to begin the skit we reached in our bags and pulled out our matching attire. To say the least there is always a few grins from the stage as we sit there and enjoy the show. We then put them back in the bags and continue on. The tapping routine has changed to include ALL the Haygood guys. They tap so strongly and for so long YOU are worn out when they are through..haha We always give them a standing ovation whether anyone joins us or not. A couple of the shows Tim came out and talked about how they got started and then introduced the violin performances of 'Eleanor Rigby' and 'Amazing Grace.' Two of the nights they added, as Tim put it, a great song by a Bluegrass band called Bohemian it is titled 'Queens Rhapsody'....LOL He admitted later it had been banned by Branson city council and the actual name and group. He also commented 'this is a first for Branson. Something that was written AFTER 1965.' and then laughed 'I have always wanted to say that.' Each night Dominic pulled an unsuspecting woman onstage to be fought over by him and Michael during 'My Girl.' Ever woman in the audience wants to be part of that tug of war. ;-D During the Christmas show Dominic talks to Patrick and says there is a lady who has been sooooo naughty she didn't get anything for Christmas. Then he pulls the SAME one up on stage and gives her prank gifts from a big box onstage. Michael is in the box and brings out all kinds of things. At one point Dom tells him to find 'something she can take home to keep her warm OR something for the grandkids.' To which he pulls Aaron out with a pretty bow on his head. We immediately hollar a cheer to Aaron's blushing annoyance. Each of the ladies get one of my cards so we can send them pictures of their involvement. You can purchase DVDs of each show, which I did, but it is nice to also have a prints of your special time. Patrick's version of 'Great Balls of Fire' ends with a flame coming out of the piano. Needless to say, that is not the only thing that is HOT!! ha The Christmas show has their versions of traditional and fun songs. Another skit done with Aaron and Dominic has Dom lamenting that he has no one for Christmas or New Years and 'it is going to be cold and lonely.' We 'awwwww' for him which causes him to move his hands if asking for 'more awws' and then thumbs UP when it is good. He then says 'I am 27 and single', which he thinks should cause more 'awwws', but instead causes LOUD CHEERS! He and Aaron cannot make any of the nights with a straight face or the same dialogue. Oh what fun. Then they break into 'Merry Christmas Baby' and the entire family joins in the singing and dancing. Michael has a skit with Aaron when he sings 'I'll Be Home for Christmas'. There is a conversation between the two brothers that is deleted from a couple shows. It is not bad-just the audience...haha I could tell you about all the songs but then you would miss out on your own fun. The Christmas portion ends with Dominic's emotionally charged 'Mary Did You Know'. The audience is in complete silence and many tears when he is done. He has done this for about 7 years or so and he never tires. It is a song that should NEVER be omitted from these shows. If you are looking to view one of the shows from the past season I would suggest January 2, 2010. Best performances, laughs and overall enjoyment. The family and audience was AMAZING!! Thanks for letting me share. Annette www.thehaygoods.com