Celebrating Theater
Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre’s “Broadway Palm Thru The Decades,” a original musical revue, will celebrate the theater and the musicals they have produced over the years. PHOTO PROVIDED
A staple in the county for those who enjoy dinner with a show has kicked off its 30th anniversary season.
The Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre in Fort Myers will present “Broadway Palm Thru The Decades” now through Oct. 1. The original musical revue will celebrate the theater and the musicals they have produced over the years. Broadway Palm is offering a Season Opener Special with all tickets being $65 for the show and meal.
“Thirty years ago, my family and I dreamed of opening our largest dinner theatre ever and set our sights on Southwest Florida. The community immediately embraced Broadway Palm and our commitment to terrific entertainment, quality food and friendly service all at an incredible price,” said owner Will Prather. “I am thrilled to present this exceptional season and look forward to celebrating all that Broadway Palm has accomplished over the past three decades.”
The Prather family, Tom, Deborah, David and Will, are a true theatrical family that has produced quality theater for more than 60 years. The Prather family brings years of expertise to each production and are known for creating a comfortable, but luxurious ambiance in each of their theatres. The theater entertains more than 170,000 guests annually. The facility includes a 400-seat dinner theater, a 100-seat “black-box” theater called the Off Broadway Palm Theatre, a 120-seat dining room called the Royal Palm and a 30-seat space just off the main lobby called, the Sabal Palm.
“Broadway Palm Thru The Decades” is written and directed by Victor Legarreta. Legarreta has been part of Broadway Palm since 1996 and has directed and appeared in numerous Broadway Palm productions. In addition, he created “A Night On Broadway,” “Yesterday’s: The ’50s and ’60s Musical,” “Groovin’: The ’60s and ’70s Musical,” “Let’s Go To The Movies,” “Dino and Friends,” “Til Theft Do Us Part,” and “No Claus For Alarm,” to name a few.
Show-goers can relive the last three decades of productions that have made Broadway Palm a popular destination. The all-new jukebox style musical features a talented cast of performers that will sing and dance their way through some of the greatest Broadway Palm songs of all time. You’ll hear numbers from “Me and My Girl,” “42nd Street,” “The King and I,” “Oklahoma,” “The Music Man,” “Miss Saigon,” “CATS” and others.
“The show is perfectly summed up with the child at the end of the show describing the Broadway Palm’s mission statement,” Legarreta said. “And that mission statement is ‘compassionate people inspiring happiness.’ I tried to bring examples of that throughout the show.
“There’s something for everyone and it’s a fun show that moves at a quick pace.”
Legarreta mentioned the theater’s outreach program during Hurricane Irma that was “absolutely astounding,” and how through the pandemic, Broadway Palm did everything in their power to create a safe working environment.
He’s worn many hats over his decades at the theater and said it’s the people who keep him coming back.
“It really is a family atmosphere,” Legarreta said. “It makes you enjoy coming to work every day.”
He said he’s enjoyed seeing the generations of families coming to see the show.
“You’ll see a daughter, a mother, and a grandmother, and they’re all watching the show and enjoying it because there’s something for everyone,” Legarreta said.
While three decades certainly brings change, especially in recent years, the Broadway Palm has always found a way to adapt, persevere, and continue to bring happiness to their patrons.
“The times have changed, and Broadway Palm does their best to adapt to what the audience needs to see,” Legarreta said. “They are sensitive to things that are going on in society and it’s been amazing to watch.”
Performances are Wednesday through Sunday evenings with selected matinees. Tickets are now on sale and can be reserved by calling 239-278-4422, by visiting BroadwayPalm.com or by stopping by the box office at 1380 Colonial Boulevard in Fort Myers.
-Connect with this reporter on Twitter: @haddad_cj
To reach CJ HADDAD, please email cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com