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LAWRENCE WELK: mILESTONES & mEMORIES
The largest and most exciting reunion concert of Welk Stars in the history of “The Lawrence Welk Show” was presented nationally on public television in March, 2001. This “once-in-a-lifetime” concert features 47 Welk performers whose work with the Show spans seven decades.
LAWRENCE WELK: MILESTONES AND MEMORIES is a three-hour, five-act musical reunion special, celebrating the Welk Show’s remarkable longevity and accomplishments.
The special includes over 30 favorite songs and musical numbers, plus a special medley of 25 more songs in the final act, all performed on stage at the Champagne Theatre in Branson, Missouri. The special reunion concert was recorded before large crowds of enthusiastic, longtime fans who traveled across the country from all 50 states to be a part of the historic event. The concert received standing ovations too numerous to count.
Highlights of the program include the first-time-ever performance by Bobby Burgess and his three dancing partners, Barbara Boylan, Cissy King and Elaine Balden, and an exuberant piano duet by Jo Ann Castle and veteran virtuoso, Big Tiny Little. Also included are exciting numbers by The Lennon Sisters, Pete Fountain, Tom Netherton, Anacani, Myron Floren and Guy Hovis and Ralna English, in one of their rare performances together on stage.
Adding to the momentous occasion are guest appearances by all five living Champagne Ladies including Lois Best (1938-1939), Jayne Walton (1939-1945), Helen Ramsay (1947-1949), and Roberta Linn (1950-1953), who were honored with a special performance by Guy Hovis and today's Champagne Lady, Norma Zimmer (1960-present).
The Welk Stars and musicians are the guides on this unforgettable musical journey through the 20th century, recalling entertaining stories from the past and some of the Show's historic milestones, illustrated by rare archive footage and photographs.
Group production numbers include an original opening song entitled "Milestones and Memories," as well as "That's Entertainment," "My Heart Will Go On," "America the Beautiful" and the program's finale, "In the Sweet By and By."
The final act is an emotional Musical Family reunion of all the Welk Stars on stage showing their love of one another and music. Included are segments of many popular hits from “The Lawrence Welk Show” and meaningful renditions of songs such as "Together Wherever We Go" and "Will the Circle Be Unbroken."
Following in the great Welk tradition, music is provided by the superb 20-piece Lawrence Welk Orchestra playing many of the Welk original arrangements, under the direction of Maestro John Bahler. Guest musicians from the past are featured in some of the numbers including a lively reunion of the "Hotsy Totsy Boys," with a special tribute to dixieland music, Mr. Welk's favorite musical style.
The program also includes a touching segment that celebrates the lives of members of the Welk Musical Family who have passed away, narrated by Tom Netherton, and illustrated with carefully chosen video clips and personal photographs.
LAWRENCE WELK: MILESTONES AND MEMORIES was originally released on PBS in 2001 by OETA -The Oklahoma Network. Robert L. Allen and JoAnn Young, Executive Producers; Bill Thrash, Producer; Dennis Glore, Director and JoAnn Young, Writer.
MEDIA CONTACT: Susie Dowdy, National Publicist, 405-841-9275
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