<\/p>\n
Branson, Missouri, can often be described in extremes. For decades, the Ozark tourist town has built a nationally recognized entertainment industry centered on variety shows, live music and family-friendly attractions \u2014 grounded in the values of faith, family and the American flag.<\/p>\n
Washington University in St. Louis professor and author Joanna D. Das joined KCUR’s Up To Date to discuss her new book, “<\/i>Faith, Family and Flag: Branson Entertainment and the Idea of America,” which examines how Branson\u2019s stages reflect broader American culture wars. <\/p>\n
Das traces Branson\u2019s rise as one of the country\u2019s most prolific live-performance destinations, at times boasting more theater seats and shows than Broadway, while examining how its offerings reflects deeper political and cultural tensions.<\/p>\n
Das says Branson\u2019s appeal has long resonated with conservative audiences seeking a family-friendly alternative to places like Las Vegas. But she notes that the town\u2019s politics are not always explicit onstage.<\/p>\n
\u201cSometimes making something seem ordinary has its own political power.\u201d Das said.<\/p>\n
As Branson continues to evolve, rising prices and increasingly visible political symbolism around town are reshaping how visitors experience a place once defined by affordability and family-friendly wholesomeness.<\/p>\n