Meet the Award-Winning Cast

Mike Bliss: Mike has been performing his Award-Winning Comedy, Magic Show for over 30 years all across the country from Miami, FL, to the World Famous Magic Castle in Hollywood, to Cancun, to Tahiti, to Headlining his own show in Branson, MO!He has performed at 39 Air Force bases across the US for our Troops and their families. Mike was also voted “Branson’s Specialty Act of the Year” and “Best Stage Act“ for the Midwest Magic Jubilee! Mike’s TV credits include Fox’s 30 Seconds to Fame, The Game Show Network, America’s Got Talent, Ozarks FOX AM, The Huckabee Show, and Penn & Teller: Fool Us!

Dalena Ditto: Dalena Ditto hails from the great state of Iowa.  From the age of three until graduating from High School, she traveled and performed across the nation in her parents music show.  She attented Iowa State University, majoring in Broadcast Journalism and minoring in Music.  While attending college, Dalena performed in the Oratorio Choir and traveled with the Cardinal Keynotes Swing Choir while working as an Anchor/Reporter for WOI-TV. In 1990, Dalena moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to pursue a record deal by writing music, touring with her band, “Power Twang,” and opening for such acts as Willie Nelson, Toby Keith and Faith Hill. In 1995 Dalena began a 9-year career as a Headline Entertainer on Royal Caribbean, Silver Sea, Princess, Crystal and Norwegian Cruise Lines and traveling to an average 55 countries a year. While entertaining on a Crystal Cruise Ship in Europe in 2001, a Branson theater owner discovered Dalena and offered her the opportunity of a lifetime, to have her own show in Branson, MO.  In 2002, Dalena moved from Nashville to Branson and began a 22-year stint of producing and performing in her own show. In 2014, Mickey Gilley invited Dalena to be his co-host of the show “Gilley’s Place” on RFD-TV.   During that time Dalena also produced a PBS Special called, “Down Home Country” which aired nation-wide. Each show featured some of the biggest names in Country Music and Comedy. In 2022, Dalena was named Branson’s “Female Entertainer of the Year” for the 3rd time.   And this year, she and her band, “The Boys,were named “2024 Morning Show of the Year,” by the Branson Show Awards.  From her first theater, the Starlight in 2002, to the Americana,Mickey Gilley, Clay Cooper, Oak Ridge Boys, Hamner-Barber and now the Hughes Brother’s Theater in 2024, Dalena never tires of paying tribute to our nation’s Heros, our Veterans, as well as the multitudes of Branson visitors year after year.

Joey Aiello: From big stages to corporate events and comedy tours, Joey has brought his unique brand of comedy to audiences across North America for Twenty years. Joey is convinced that comedy brings people together and laughter really heals. When he was told by doctors he needed to find a job without any stress, he turned to what he knew best – making people laugh. Joey has performed on Leland Klassen’s Comedy Tournament, Last Comic Standing, Thou Shalt Laugh 5, Dry Bar Comedy ,Yes TV, Comedy Channel Canada and is a regular on the Date Night Tour US.and Canada. He is also a regular performer in Branson MO. 

Dan Embree: A native of Sedalia, MO, Dan has performed for Branson audiences for over fifty years as an actor, comedian, singer, dancer and emcee. He is a veteran of over thirty seasons as an entertainer at Silver Dollar City and has appeared in a number of Branson shows, including Shad Heller’s Original Toby Show, The Wilkinson Brothers Music Show, The Shoji Tabuchi Show, The Promise, and The Shepherd of the Hills. He has also performed extensively in regional theatres throughout the country, including The Fireside Theatre in Wisconsin, La Comedia in Ohio, The Alhambra in Florida, and Circa 21 in Illinois, as well as The Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Toronto and the National Art Centre in Ottawa, Ontario. His acting credits include Mr. Potter in It’s a Wonderful Life, Max Goldman and John Gustafson in Grumpy Old Men, the Musical, Little Big Man in A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline, Judge Martin Group in Miracle on 34th Street, adult Ralph in A Christmas Story, Old Matt Matthews and Dad Howett in The Shepherd of the Hills, and Buck Thompson in A Shepherd’s Christmas Carol.

Dana Embree: A St. Louis native, Dana has performed and toured with The Muny as well as Six Flags, Union Station and as a professional Cardinal Football Cheerleader. After moving to Branson she’s been seen in many productions at Silver Dollar City including The Silver Dollar Saloon and as Mrs. Cratchit in A DICKENS CHRISTMAS CAROL. Last year, Dana performed in GRUMPY OLD MEN THE MUSICAL at The Fireside Theatre in Wisconsin and La Comedia Theatre in Ohio. Other stage credits include Ado Annie in OKLAHOMA, Sister Mary Robert in NUNSENSE and Miss Hannigan in ANNIE. Now Dana enjoys working alongside her husband Dan at The Playhouse as Aunt Belle in THE WHODUNNIT HOEDOWN MURDER MYSTERY, Mother in A CHRISTMAS STORY and Mandy in SHEPHERD’s CHRISTMAS CAROL.  Dana has also played Sammy Lane and Aunt Mollie in SHEPHERD OF THE HILLS OUTDOOR DRAMA as well as Trixie La Rue in THE WILD WEST MURDER MYSTERY SHOW.