This will brighten your day!

Whether you have ever been to the Grand Palace (Yakov Smirnoff's Theatre) in Branson, Missouri or not, you will enjoy this Russian born comedian's unique form of comedy which has his patrons laughing hilariously as he accentuates the differences between his home country, Russia, and the country of his choice, the United States of America.

Yakov Smirnoff became an American citizen on July 4th, 1986 and was sworn in by Chief Justice Warren Burger at the Statue of Liberty.

When Russia was under communist rule, creativity was stifled.

The differences in freedom between the country of his birth and his new country are the grist for his comedy routines.

My mother and I visited Branson, Missouri in September of 1995 and chose his act as one of the productions that we wished to experience.

What a great way to start our day!

We attended the morning show which includes a "Royal Russian Breakfast" that one can eat at one's seat right in the theatre. It includes some of Yakov's mother's recipes like Bobka and Pastry Romanoff along with fruit and coffee.

The Grand Theatre is gorgeous!

In the lobby are hundreds of American memorabilia items like old gas station pumps, jukeboxes, George Jone's white convertible car, Patsy Cline items, etc. It is like stepping back in time and viewing items from an earlier era.

The stage is surrounded by plush and comfortable red seats. Yes...red was undoubtedly chosen as the color of choice.

Yakov's driver's license on his Red Ferrari parked outside the theatre is emblazoned with the saying "X-RED."

Every part of his act accentuates in a very comedic way the differences between living under the old communism and the freedoms he experiences today.

His two hour show consists of some music, dancing, hilarious skits and most all of it is a tribute to the United States.

My mother and I laughed so hard and so often that our sides were aching as we exited the theatre at the end of the show.

Yakov Smirnoff is a University Professor who specializes in teaching the value of laughter and how it impacts our lives.

He is a loving father of two children, a boy and a girl.

Yakov is also an accomplished artist and if you click on the link provided, you will be able to see some of the paintings that he has created showing his daughter, son and his tribute to the Statue of Liberty that he obviously holds close to his heart. In addition, his faith shines through his paintings and he has Jesus laughing as well as Einstein in a laughing pose.

Yakov Smirnoff created a large painting as a tribute after 9-11 that actually hung in New York on the outside of a building until it was starting to be damaged by the elements.  It has been salvaged and now hangs in his theatre.

He had been on television, in movies, has authored books and writes magazine articles.

Come along with me and learn things about Yakov Smirnoff that you may not have known. Enjoy the videos and if you ever get a chance to see this comedian in person, I would heartily recommend your doing so.

His trademark saying is "What a Country!"

Yakov Smirnoff is one American that we can all treasure as he helps us laugh our way through life. I think most everyone would agree that more laughter would be beneficial for all of us no matter where we happen to reside. Writing this hub has me smiling and remembering the laughter we enjoyed that day in his Grand Palace Theatre in Branson, Missouri. Hopefully you will find some fun and laughter today from this hub as well as other things in your life. Enjoy!