Dick Clark's Theatre to reopen after tornado damage

About a month and a half after an EF-2 tornado in Branson caused millions of dollars worth of damage to Dick Clark's American Bandstand Theatre, the home of Legends in Concerts plans to reopen its doors April 13 in time for the city's tourist season.

Legends in Concert, a live tribute band that performs shows out of the theater, has scheduled an April 14 show.

The theater, owned by Springfield businessman Jim D. Morris' company Morris Group Properties Inc., lost its roof and suffered interior damage during the Leap Day tornado. Morris owns 25 acres of land connecting the theater to his Ramada Inn and Suites and Rowdy Beaver restaurant, which also was damaged from the tornado.

The storm also hit air conditioners and sound equipment at the Rowdy Beaver and damaged the roof of the Ramada Inn. The hotel, which was closed for about five days, now has 100 rooms open, and the Rowdy Beaver closed for about three days, said Jerry Carroll, Morris Group general manager for the theater, hotel and restaurant, in a news release.

In the release, Carroll said risk management and insurance firm Akers & Arney helped to secure an insurance check from Cincinnati Insurance Co. the day after the tornado. Gaye Lisby, who is providing marketing and public relations for Akers & Arney Insurance in Branson, said the damage exceeded $5 million.