“How does he do that!?”
This thought might have come to mind as you listened to George Dyer flawlessly execute “Music Of The Night” from Broadway‘s infamous Phantom Of The Opera. A talented tenor, George brings opera, Broadway, and many other styles of music to life regularly on the stage of the Americana Theatre in Branson, MO with his show, Broadway to Bublé. We asked George for a glimpse “behind the mask” to learn a little more about his voice, his family, and what brought this shining star to Branson.
How did you get your start in Music?
George: I’ve always loved singing and performing from my earliest childhood memories. I began doing performances of “The Ed Sullivan Show†for my family and their friends, singing in school and church choirs. After a lot of formative experiences that reaffirmed my desires to become a performer, I took my first voice lesson when I was 22, and that wise voice teacher put me on a path to develop my voice to sing classical music and Opera. In 1995 I went to New York and auditioned with for a talent manager and the New York City Opera, and in 1996 I made my debut as Ralph Rackstraw in “HMS Pinafore†by Gilbert and Sullivan at the Lincoln Center with NYCO.
What is your favorite thing about performing?
George:Â Performing, for me is very therapeutic. To experience the emotion of each song as I sing it, helps me to forget my own troubles if I’m having a bad day, and reminds me how blessed I am to be where I am, and doing what I’m doing. It also gives me great pleasure to see how so many of the great songs we perform in my show touches other people and gives them a profound emotional and even spiritual experience, and to have them express their gratitude after the show, or through a note, or email message for helping facilitate that experience for them.
What brought you to Branson? How Many years have you been performing here?
George:Â Being married with 4 children, and after having been performing Opera for 14 years, and being on the road for much of that time, I felt a need to be home more for my wife and family, but I wanted to continue to perform and provide for my family in that way, since it’s what I really do best. Some would call it chance, or coincidence, but I feel that God is always directing our lives, and I believe he opened the door for our coming to Branson through a series of experiences and acquaintances that brought me into contact with the Dutton Family, who offered me a 5 year contract to perform in their theater, for which I’m eternally grateful!
Some of your family also share the stage with you, correct? Can you tell us about them?
George:Â Yes! Over my 9 seasons performing in Branson, my wife and all 4 children have performed in the show. Currently, it is just my wife, Clarisse, and my 24 y/o son Garrett performing in the show. My Daughter, Kendra (29), Son, Mitchell (27), and Daughter, Kassidy (21), currently live in Utah,where we lived before moving to Branson, pursuing their own musical, and other, life-goals.
What is new in your show this year? Are there any surprises up your sleeve?
George:Each year we try to add fresh, new, and exciting songs while still keeping those songs that never get old. This season we have put in some great new songs from “The Greatest Showman†as well as a new Gospel number and Veterans tribute, and little more audience interaction that we’ve had the past few years. We have also incorporated more videos into our overall presentation to make the show experience more impactful for our audience.
What is your favorite Holiday? Why?
George:Â Christmas, hands down. So many wonderful songs to sing, the beautiful lights, the food, the giving, the receiving, connecting on a more personal level with extended family and friends, and the fact that we get to focus on and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and what that means to me personally and to the entire world. His was a message of love and hope, and for a month and a half here in Branson, we get to experience all of those beautiful gifts and feelings associated with them!
You can catch George Dyer at the Americana Theatre in Branson, MO for the Christmas version of his hit show most days of the week at either 2:00pm, or 10:00am now through December 15th. Check out his listing on Branson.com for the best price on your tickets today!
