FOUR QUESTIONS FOR BRANSON’S ‘KING’
One of Branson’s more popular sources of entertainment is Legends
in Concert, a tribute show with performers who look and sound like the stars they’re honouring. Started in 1983 at the Imperial Palace Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nev., the show has been exported to other spots, including Branson. We had four questions for Elvis, a.k.a. Dean Z.
How did you end up in Branson?
I used to perform in Vegas and then came here, and the people at the theatre said I could stay as long as I want, so now I call Branson home. I lived in Vegas for four or five years.
What kept you in Branson?
I really like the pace of this town. I really like that you can do a Vegas-type show and then you can go home and mow the grass and just be with
your friends and family.
What drew you to this show?
A lot of acts don’t have creative control, but I’ve been really lucky. I’ve been able to choose my entire set. I just submit what I want to do to my bosses and they allow me to create my act, for the most part. I can make videos and whatever else I want to go along with the show.
How much of this look is really you?
Well, these are my real eyes. Otherwise, we have to be trained in makeup artistry; in costume, we’re basically in control of what we put on stage, so you want to present your best self. My hair is all real. The sideburns are prosthetics. Underneath the sideburns, I use my own sideburns, depending on what era I’m doing. Today, I’m doing 1968, so his sideburns have changed a little bit. I try to get every detail right.