Businesses bring free show back to Fort Scott

Two local businesses are bringing popular Branson, Mo., entertainers back to Fort Scott this spring.

The Cheney-Witt Funeral Chapel and Shepherd Team Auto Plaza have partnered to bring back the Rankin Brothers Classic Music Revue, a variety show from Branson that includes impersonations, tributes and comedy. The show has been scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday, March 1 at Memorial Hall.

Matt Witt, of Cheney-Witt Funeral Chapel, said there was such a positive reception in the community toward the show last year, which was part of the funeral home's 150th anniversary, it was decided to bring the entertainers back for a repeat performance.

"We had such a response," Witt said. "(Shepherd Team Auto Plaza President) Dave Shepherd loved the idea. We both thought it was something neat to do for the community. Our way of saying thanks and providing an evening of enjoyment for residents of the county we serve."

Witt said the two businesses will split the costs of bringing the show to town, "so it's still free to the public."

"We worked in friendship with the family," he said. "We worked it out where they can come back again."

Organizers chose the Rankin Brothers show once again due to its popularity last year and because it provides family entertainment.

"We know who they are, it's wholesome entertainment," Witt said. "There's nothing off-color, it's not offensive and it appeals to such a broad spectrum and age group. No matter how old you are, there will be something you can relate to. It's one of the neatest variety shows you'll find."

The Care to Share cancer support group will have a concession stand available and all proceeds will benefit that organization. Tickets for the event are free, but those who attend must have a ticket.

About 1,300 tickets will become available on a first come, first served basis on Feb. 15 at either the funeral home, located at 201 S. Main St., or at Shepherd Team Auto Plaza, located on south U.S. Highway 69, Witt said.

Organizers will use a seating map and each ticket will represent an assigned row and seat.

"So people won't have to worry about getting there real early, and possibly standing in line if there is inclement weather," Witt said.

Last year, due to high demand for tickets to the show, organizers encouraged local residents who had tickets but didn't plan to attend the show to contact the funeral home, where a waiting list included names of those who wanted to go but didn't have tickets.

"For people with tickets who can't go to the show, we'd like for them to return them so they can be used by someone else," Witt said.

More information on the Rankin Brothers show can be found on their website, www.rankinbrothers.com. The Rankin Brothers were voted Entertainers of the Year for 2013 by BransonShowAwards.com, according to the website.

The stars' of the Revue impersonations include Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison and Buddy Holly. Backing the brothers up are the Rankinettes, who perform popular tunes sung by females from various time periods, as well as a full band. The brothers perform classics in a number of genres from the 1950s the present day, authentically reproduced to sound like the original artist.