Jim Barber & Seville » News

Jim Barber and Seville, A Halloween Costume?

Big Dummy — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 21:49:10 +0000

Trick or Treat… it’s the Barber and Seville?

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If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then Jim Barber and Seville should feel honored that one of the hot selling Halloween costumes for the past couple seasons has been the Adult Ventriloquist Dummy Costume which looks quite similar to Jim’s trademark act, the Barber and Seville, which he performs nightly at his Hamner Barber Theater in Branson, Missouri.

Since the costume first appeared at various online costume shops, Jim has received several emails from friends and fans asking if he’s seen the funny, yet familiar costume.

Although the design and construction of the costume is different than Jim’s original creation, the similarity comes from the fact that the tall ventriloquist is holding the smaller dummy, and the “real” ventriloquists head is on the small body. It’s a visual illusion that is guaranteed to pop eyes and turn heads from all who open their doors on Halloween night.

“I think this is great,” says Jim, “and I encourage everyone to purchase one for themselves, even if you don’t intend to wear it for trick-or-treating. The more people seen in public wearing this outfit, the more normal I will appear myself,” said Jim with a chuckle.

The costume is available for purchase and immediate shipping from Amazon.com. Check out their huge selection of other costumes and Halloween accessories, not to mention just about any DVD, book or audio CD ever released!

Barber & Seville A Hit On Letterman

Big Dummy — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 02:00:43 +0000

tune in online : watch Jim’s appearance on CBS.com now

Jim Barber’s recent performance during the Late Show’s “Ventriloquist Week” was not only enjoyed by the enthusiastic studio audience in the historic Ed Sullivan Theater, and the hard working staff of the show itself, but also by the estimated 4.1 million viewers who tune into the show on an average night.

“Being selected to appear on David Letterman’s show was not only an extreme honor, but a suprisingly fun experience. The staff, stars and crew of the show are the best in the business and they helped make this brief performance one of the highlights of my 35 year career as a professional entertainer. Congratulations to my fellow ventriloquists that have also appeared on Late Show as part of this special “tongue-in-cheek salute” to our rare and wacky artform. Big thanks to David Letterman and everyone at Late Show. ” – Jim Barber

Over a week later, the Hamner Barber Theater’s e-mail box continues to receive many letters of support and congratulations from friends around the globe, both old and new who saw Jim’s act. Some were from inspired young ventriloquists, while others were from well-seasoned professional entertainers who offered a pat on the back. Most however, were from average Letterman viewers who just wanted to say hello and thank Jim for the fun.

“I’m humbled by the hundreds of letters I received in the days that followed my appearance,” said Barber. “I didn’t expect that and am truly thankful for the kind words and appreciation of my act.”

Jim’s performance also caught the eye of some television “Insiders,” including Michele Greppi of Television Week, the communtiy newspaper of the entire television industry.

Her article featured a multi-photo spread of Jim and Seville with a very positive “mash note” to “Late Show With David Letterman” for booking ventriloquists on the show.

Greppi wrote, “If it hadn’t been for rib-tickling “Ventriloquist Week 2,” The Insider would have gone all post-nuclear on everyone…”

Referring to Jim Barber’s act she added, “In addition to making himself appear to be the dummy of his two operatic dummies, Mr. Seville does an inspired bit with a hand in a glass of water.”

online version: TVWeek.com | The Insider – Feb 19, 2007
Thanks to Michele Greppi & Master Ventriloquist Dale Brown for sending the Article!

“Special thanks to Late Show staffers Mike, Annette and Ryan.
In the photos above, Dave told me you each get two weeks off with pay!!!?” – Jim

Jim Barber to Appear on Letterman

Big Dummy — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 02:05:25 +0000

BRANSON, MISSOURI.

February 7, 2007

Branson comedian Jim Barber will “throw his voice” across the national airwaves when he performs his award-winning ventriloquist act on CBS’ “Late Show with David Letterman,” Thursday, February 15.

“The opportunity to perform on David Letterman’s show is incredible,” said Barber, “and quite frankly, something I hadn’t expected. I’ve always been a big fan of the show, but it seemed there was a standing policy of no ventriloquist acts until Letterman’s clever concept of an entire week devoted to ventriloquism. It sounds a bit hokey and perhaps what I do is considered a novelty, but according to the Late Show ratings, America is ready for some good ol’ fashioned entertainment once again. That’s what Branson is all about and I’m honored to have this opportunity to share a bit of my humor and imagination with the entire country.”

Jim Barber was selected as one of the five top professional ventriloquists to appear as part of the Late Show’s “Ventriloquist Week” which pulled in extremely high ratings for the program last fall when the concept was first launched. The idea came from Letterman himself during a writer’s meeting. According to writer and producer Eric Stangel, his efforts to seek out the best ventriloquist acts in the country turned up a “list of legends and people who are currently getting it done in the world of ventriloquism.” It is also fitting that the show is taped in the Ed Sullivan Theater which hosted so many amazing variety acts during the early years of television.

Barber is a rare variety entertainer who has not only mastered the technical aspects of ventriloquism, but has achieved a level of respect among his peers for his contributions to the artform. He is an advisor to the world’s largest private collection of ventriloquist memorabilia, Vent Haven Museum in Ft. Mitchell, KY and was voted “Ventriloquist of the Year” at the Museum’s International Convention.

With his entertainment partners, Dave and Denise Hamner, Jim is co-star of the “Hamner Barber Variety Show” which performs nightly from February through December at the Hamner Barber Theater in Branson, Missouri. Last year, the International Magicians Society selected Jim as the first ventriloquist in history to receive their coveted Merlin Award as International “Ventriloquist of the Year,” while simultaniously awarding the Hamners a Merlin Award as “Entertainers of the Year.”

The 2007 season for the Hamner Barber Variety Show opens on Saturday, February 17. Tickets may be purchased by calling the theater box office toll-free at 1-888-335-2080 or by visiting their website at HamnerBarber.com

Hamner & Barber Win Merlin Awards

Big Dummy — Thu, 17 Aug 2006 02:13:59 +0000

photo by Stephanie Phillips – Image Works, Inc | high-res version download

Watch Streaming Video of the Awards Presentation

In the presence of a full-house audience, Branson entertainers Dave & Denise Hamner and Jim Barber were the honored recipients of the prestiguous “Merlin Award” by the International Magicians Society (IMS). The awards were presented during the 506th performance of the Hamner Barber Variety Show on August 12th, 2006 by the World President of the IMS, Mr. Tony Hassini.

This is the second time The Hamners have received a Merlin Award. In 1999 they won “Best Manipulation” and according to Tony Hassini, The Hamners performance level is even higher now than it was then.

This is the first time in the society’s 38 year history that a Merlin Award has been presented to a ventriloquist. As Tony Hassini explained to the audience, “Jim started out as a magician… he knows magic, and along the way he took that magical talent and brought it into ventriloquism. He does magic with the dummies!”

The International Magicians Society (IMS) is the world’s largest magic society as recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records. The IMS began in 1968 and now has over 37,000 members worldwide. It was created to help promote and preserve the art of magic and provide a format where magicians (and magic hobbyists) could share their secrets and ideas.

In the profession of magic, the Merlin statuette is the equivalent of the Oscar for film, the Emmy for television, and the Tony for theater. It is presented only to those entertainers who have achieved the highest level in their craft. The voting members begin with approximately one hundred names and narrow the list down to a select few. The criteria considered for a winner include talent, showmanship, originality, skills, and above all, the rare ability to entertain under any conditions.

The Merlin Award statuette was commissioned to over 100 art students from various colleges across the country. The winning design was carved and created in 1968 by New York University art student Carol Michaud.

Some of the more famous winners of the Merlin Award for excellence in magic include: Harry Blackstone, Doug Henning, Siegfried & Roy and David Copperfield.

Barber Featured In A Really Big Shew

Big Dummy — Thu, 16 Feb 2006 02:45:58 +0000

whosaidTHAT?
JIM BARBER IN THE ED SULLIVAN-THEMED SHOW “A REALLY BIG SHEW”
by JoAnn Smith – Editor - Laughlin Entertainer
reprinted by permission – Feb 15-21, 2006 issue

The cleverly formatted show, “A Really Big Shew” currently playing in the Flamingo Laughlin, dips into the nostalgia barrel a bit and recreates the look and feel of the old Ed Sullivan Show of ’50′s-early ’70′s TV. With Jerry Hoban in the lead as Sullivan, the show brings a variety of acts to the stage that would otherwise be tough to catch. Thus, a trained dog act sets up a juggler which sets up a ventriloquist which sets up an impersonator… and on and on.

Jim Barber has an act in the current line-up of the show that fits the Sullivan mode to a T. Barber is a ventriloquist who is also a singer, a stand-up comic and a dancer (sort of) all rolled into one guy.

Some of the Minnesota snowbirds who make their way to Laughlin at this time of year may remember Barber as the co-host of a children’s TV show out of Minneapolis called Breakfast with Casey Jones.

It’s been awhile since Casey sat down to a bowl of oatmeal and Barber has gone on to many other TV shows, USO tours and comedy club stops along his path. But he continues to turn full grown adults in his audience into kids as he amazes and amuses with his unique brand of the art of ventriloquism.

Jim Barber recently talked with the Laughlin Entertainer about his career, his craft and the act he performs in the show.

Q. How did you get you start in show business?

A. I started doing shows for birthday parties and things like that when I was 11 years old. Oddly, the girl whose birthday party was the first one I ever performed for came to my show the other night and brought her kids. Her mom was the first person to ever pay me. She turned me pro.

Q. Do you still have your first puppet?

A. My first puppet was like Ernie on Sesame Street. It was a foam shell that I’d cut to make the body; one of my hands was his hand. I was 10 years old when I made that puppet and no, I don’t have it any more. My first “real” puppet was Freddie. He’s living in a suitcase in my office – he’s retired.

Q. You do a most unique bit in your act in which you “swap heads” with the dummy. Doesn’t that hurt?

A. Nobody’s ever done that. It’s become a hook of mine over the years. It takes some physical control to get my body to do that. I think if I actually went to the chiropractor and he “fixed-me,” I’d never be able to do it again. It’s fun for me to watch the audience when I first come out. They laugh… then they’re whispering “How’s he doing that”… while rubbing their necks. I don’t think they hear a word I say.

Q. What is the state of ventriloquism in today’s entertainment scene?

A. There are more ventriloquists working now than when I started in this business. It’s an ever growing number. There is a ventriloquist convention in July in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky, and about 500 ventriloquists show up. It’s the most unique thing watching all these guys playing with dolls. Jeff Dunham and I (*as well as many other professional ventriloquists) help train the up and coming ventriloquists. We teach them the best way to perform to keep the art growing. Even though there are more and more working professionals today than in years past, there still aren’t too many that make it to TV. The Tonight Show and Letterman stick to the straight stand-up comics. Ventriloquism works better live.

Q. Any new characters in the works?

A. I’m always working on new ideas for my theater in Branson, Missouri. We’re in our third season with The Hamners. Local audiences may remember them as they were part of the cast of “A Really Big Shew” with a magic/bird show.

I’ve got several things I’m working on but I don’t know how long it will take to develop them. I’m working on things all of the time.

Q. What drew you to “A Really Big Shew?”

A. I’m one of the original cast members who has been with the show from the beginning. I’ve been everywhere with this show… Reno, Vegas… doing corporate shows all over the country. I help create the routines for Topo Gigio and I also to the voice. I believe in this show and I see it growing and continuing to grow. I think it could be something great. I have a lot of optimism for the future of this show.

Related Websites:

Laughlin, Nevada Entertainer Magazine
A Really Big Shew - Official Show Website

Hamner & Barber Purchase Theater

Big Dummy — Fri, 04 Mar 2005 02:49:57 +0000

Comedian Jim Barber and illusionist team The Hamners announce today that they have purchased “The Victorian Theater” next to the Victorian Shopping Center on Shepherd of the Hills Expressway in Branson, Missouri.

In 2005 the venue will be officially renamed, the“HAMNER BARBER THEATER,” and will be the permanent home to their magical variety show featuring the award winning illusions of Dave and Denise Hamner as well as the vocal comedy of internationally recognized ventriloquist Jim Barber.

There are plans to upgrade many aspects of the theater including the addition of a new marquee sign in front of the theater on Shepherd of the Hills Expressway.

Continuing their long run at the theater will be one of Branson’s original productions, the Braschler Music Show. For over 22 years, the Braschlers have entertained audiences across America. Their repertoire includes country, bluegrass, gospel tunes, and comedy featuring the vocals of Cliff Braschler, Tommy Fairchild, Paul Braschler, Brad Bacon, Sherri Braschler Weiss, Jan Braschler, Merissa Stacy, Gil Stockebrand, Tim Brooks, and Cortlandt Ingram.

“We are honored and thrilled that the Braschler family will remain an integral part of our theater line-up and we look forward to many years of sharing their awesome musical talent with Branson audiences,” stated Jim Barber. “We are also excited that Jan Braschler will remain in place as the theater’s box office manager,” added Dave Hamner.

Throughout the performance season, The Hamners will continue to host their “Solid Gospel Sundays” at the theater every Sunday morning at 10:00am. The free, non-denominational worship service will feature a variety of local performers along with inspiring sermons and speakers.

During November and December the theater will take on a decorative holiday flair and feature not only the Braschler’s Christmas show but also an expanded version of the Hamner Barber production, “The Wings of Christmas.” This new musical production is both magical and inspirational and stars Dave Hamner and Jim Barber in featured performance roles.

A special addition to the holiday show are original songs by T.J. Kuenster, longtime music conductor for Glen Campbell. T.J. wrote Glen’s top ten contemporary gospel hit, “The Greatest Gift of All,” and was the music composer for Don Bluth’s classic animated films “All Dogs Go To Heaven,” and “Rock-A-Doodle.” Also featured in the holiday production are Diane Barber, Denise Hamner, A. J. Heard, Ken Brown and Tim Lewis.

“We wish to thank the thousands of visitors and local area residents who came to watch our new production this year and especially thank all the wonderful ticket outlets, hotels, and travel groups who believe in our talents and promoted our show so well. We love Branson and are so gratefull to have this opportunity to settle down in such a beautiful facility and focus on producing the best family show possible for many years to come!”

The Hamners and The Barbers

Contact Information:
Hamner Barber Theater
3090 Shepherd of the Hills Expressway
Branson, MO 65616
417-334-4363 - Box Office

Jan Braschler - Theater Box Office Manager
417-334-4363

For Advance Ticket Reservations:
Vance L. Hebblethwaite - Administrative Assistant
1-888-335-2080 toll-free
417-334-4363

Related Websites:

Hamner Barber Variety Show Site
HamnerBarber.com