Friday, November 25, 2016

Now Till Christmas!!! Irving Berlin’s White Christmas at The Broadway Palm! KUDOS EDITION



Broadway Palm is ushering in the holiday season with Irving Berlin’s White Christmas. This merry and bright theatrical experience is full of dancing, laughter and some of the greatest songs ever written such as Happy Holidays, Blue Skies and White Christmas.


November 24 through December 25, 2016 





CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS WITH THE IRVING BERLIN CLASSIC “WHITE CHRISTMAS” AT BROADWAY PALM!
Broadway Palm is welcoming the holiday season with the heart-warming classic, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, playing November 24 through December 25, 2016. The 1954 film starred Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera Ellen.
The story takes place in 1954 and two ex-GI’s turned showbiz partners follow a couple of singing sisters to a Vermont inn. When they discover their beloved former commanding officer owns the inn and is in jeopardy of losing the property, the foursome decide to put on a show to raise money…and they find love in the bargain.  White Christmas is full of dancing, laughter and some of the greatest songs ever written such as Happy Holidays, Sisters, Count Your Blessings, Blue Skies and the Academy Award-winning White Christmas. 
Directing and choreographing White Christmas is Amy Marie McCleary. McCleary’s credits include the 2015 national tour of Memphis the Musical along with the recent Broadway Palm hits CATS, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, Footloose and The Wizard of Oz, among many others. She received her BFA from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and now makes her home in Southwest Florida where along with directing and choreographing, she works with many young performers as a vocal coach. The cast includes Troy Bruchwalski as Bob Wallace, newcomer Nic Casaula as Phil Davis, Katherine Walker Hill as Betty Haynes and Sami Doherty as Judy Haynes. 

 Join Broadway Palm as they welcome in the holidays with Irving Berlin’s White Christmas playing November 24 through December 25, 2016 at Broadway Palm. Performances are Tuesdaythrough Sunday evenings with selected matinees. Ticket prices range from $40 to $65 with discounts for children and groups of 20 or more. Broadway Palm is the perfect setting for holiday parties and family gatherings. 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.





The Cast


From left to right: Benjamin Neumayer as Ralph Sheldrake, Nic Casaula as Phil Davis, Troy Bruchwalski as Bob Wallace


Sami Doherty as Judy Haynes, Katherine Walker Hill as Betty Haynes


Nic Casaula as Phil Davis, Sami Doherty as Judy Haynes


Nic Casaula as Phil Davis, Sami Doherty as Judy Haynes, Troy Bruchwalski as Bob Wallace, Katherine Walker Hill as Betty Haynes




 My Review: Man, do I LOVE this show.. I make my daughter watch it every year.. lots of eye rolling and secret texting that when she feels the heat of my MOM LOOK on her, she stops, smiles big and nods toward the tv like, "I LOVE this show, Mama" yeah, you can fool me once.. ok you can fool me just about every time.. ..pfft.. 

And TAPPING! My favorite thing.. NO, not EFT.. tapping with their FEET!!! LOL.. Lots of tap-dancing! Everyone knows that I love the art of the tap dance. And these peeps know I'm out in the audience loving their work.. 

Now let me give my kudos to some of  the cast:

Pauline Cobrda: I first met Pauline when she was the EVIL Miss Hannigan on the production of "ANNIE". She was so cool! And so Bette Midler-like! Same voice and snark. She was AMAZING. Time Traveling to the RIGHT NOW: She is MarthaWatson, the inn keeper reception and as General Henry Waverly, The General, "my superior". I told her I love her dancing, she, in a surprised voice said, "I DON"T DANCE/", to which I replied, "Well, that was some fine tippy-toeing across the stage." So that comment and what we now and will forever call ourselves :Vintage Vixens, will remain in our conversations at every opportune moment! 

Sami Doherty: I've watch Sami perform in almost all of the Broadway Palm productions, but usually as part of the dazzling ensemble. In this production, Sami is one of the Lead Actors! Gorgeous, sylph-like (I look JUST like her, and am as talented, on the inside.. I just don't CHOSE to look and be talented like her on the outside. Hmm.. maybe I should change that? LOL

Jayar Garcia: Plays Mike, the producer on the Vermont stage, but in real life is actually a most-talented Stage Manager for The Broadway Palm. He is so versatile that he's played guitar and sung on several productions and is high-profile in White Christmas. Heck of a dancer, singer, stage manager guy. Keep rockin it, Jayar!

Victor Leggareta (Vic Legs to me) plays the up-north Ezekiel Foster, the slow moving (heck sloths could out run this character) and still adorable in plaids and denim. He was standing in for Jim Heffernan ~ another wonderful main stay in the BWP family, who I got to see today when I was able to catch the show on a spur of the moment occasion.

Keith McCoy: the deepest voice on the whole stage. He's been in several productions and when he sings songs like "Old Man River" .. no matter how deep that river is, his voice stirs up the silt 11 feet down!! and "16 Tons". I'd have to take off my shoes and find a basement to sing that low.. and since florida is not a basement kinda state, my low notes can't come from there. The man TAPS!!! gotta love a tapper! and Ballroom Dances (We should have our own Dancing with the Stars featuring the BWP dancers! Ok, I'm not volunteering to be the 'not-the-star commoner' to their pro-stardom, trust me.)

Little Megan Salerno (Switches out with Avery King). Heck of a little kid talent. I know the Salernos and their Actor Family. Little Nick is in many a production as well. I so enjoy watching these kids grow up through the years.. good job, family!

ML Graham: Another wonderful Main Stay part of the Prather Stage Family. I've been knowing her for years as well. Another one of the nicest person you can meet. Another Triple Threat on the stage: sings, dances, heck of an actor.. a Gorgeous person. 

I apologize for not knowing all of the rest of you ~ Yet, but I'll keep showing up and hopefully get to know all of the rest of you wonderful, amazing, fabulous people.

But I digress.. you've got to hear the incredible voices on these peeps! Benjamin Neumayer and Troy Bruchwalksi.. what a fine pairing of voices you both have.. Rockin the notes.. every one of them!










AND HOW BOUT THE FOOOOOOD!!



Check this out!!
Below are the served entrée selections cooked to order that are available on full price tickets only. If you decide to enjoy the buffet option instead, you can find those selections on the reverse side. 

Prime Rib Slow Roasted Prime Rib with Au Jus and Horseradish Sauce Served with Roasted Baby Potatoes and Garlic Buttered Asparagus 

Chicken Cordon Bleu Boneless Chicken Breast stuffed with Ham, Swiss Cheese and Crusted with Seasoned Japanese Breadcrumbs topped with a Mornay Sauce Served with Roasted Baby Potatoes and Garlic Buttered Asparagus 

Shrimp Carbonara Sautéed Gulf Shrimp with Shallots, Bacon and Garlic Served over Linguine with a Peppered Parmesan Cream Sauce Accompanied with a Warm Garlic Bread Stick Enjoy the show! 

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

THE TONY® AWARD-WINNING “EVITA” COMES TO BROADWAY PALM!

THE TONY® AWARD-WINNING “EVITA”
COMES TO BROADWAY PALM!


  October 14 - November 19, 2016








            FORT MYERS, Fla – October 13, 2016 – Broadway Palm is thrilled to present the dynamic musical EVITA playing now through November 19, 2016. This Tony® Award-Winning production is based on the unforgettable life story of Eva Peron, an activist, suffragist and adored celebrity. 
            Said to be one of the most popular collaborations between Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice,EVITA tells the story of Argentina's controversial First Lady. Rising from nothing, driven by ambition and blessed with charisma, Eva Peron “saint to the working-class, reviled by the aristocracy and mistrusted by the military” was destined to leave a fascinating political legacy unique in the 20th century. She was a starlet at twenty-two, the president’s mistress at twenty-four, First Lady at twenty-seven and dead at thirty-three. The mesmerizing score features the memorable song Don’t Cry for Me, Argentina.
            Directing EVITA is Brian Enzman and choreographing is Amy Marie McCleary. Starring as Eva Peron is April Monte. Audiences may remember April from numerous Broadway Palm productions including Cabaret, All Shook Up, Miss Saigon, The Wedding Singer, CATS and most recently as the Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. The cast also includes local children Jamie Dorris, Liam Hutt, Chase King, Maddie Negip, Hannah Roos, Annika Veldhuyzen van Zanten, Eli Veldhuyzen van Zanten and Marianna Young.
            The musical masterpiece EVITA is playing now through November 19, 2016 at Broadway Palm. Performances are Wednesday through Sunday evenings with selected matinees. Beginning October 25, performances are Tuesday through Sunday with selected matinees. Ticket prices range from $40 to $65 with group discounts available for parties of 20 or more. 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.


~ April Monte as Eva Peron ~



~ Sarah Cammarata as the Mistress ~



~ Scene from Don’t Cry For Me Argentina ~


~ April Monte as Eva Peron being cheered on by 
ensemble members ~






My Review:Eva Duarte Peron was an amazing woman, who passed away from cervical cancer at age 33, with many mysteries surrounding her.

The story of Evita, in her short life of 33 years, was a former actress turned First Lady, adored by many Argentineians for helping women get the vote, securing labor benefits for the working classes and founding hospitals and orphanages, was turned into a West End musical by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber. The 1996 film version stared Madonna in the lead role and Antonio Banderas as Chi.

Now back to the Broadway Palm adaptation: if you were able to come to see Les Miserables, or Phantom of the Opera, at The Broadway Palm Dinner theatre, you were close to the majesty of Evita in this production. 

Again, SOMEHOW they keep coming up with the finest singers, the most incredible and sheer numbers of clothing designs. I am so in awe of the costuming, (I hope to be able to interview the Amazing John White very soon. He MIGHT even let me see some of the costumes that were worn by Evita and maybe even TOUCH one or two.. my heart is truly palpitating just thinking of that), but I digress.

I love songs that have an intro, middle, chorus and end.. Evita's music is so random it takes several times listening to it to find out that there ARE all of those parts in the songs..what TO ME would be so hard is to change tempos, maybe even modulations and SO MANY WORDS! I can't believe Che (gifted performance by....) and Evita (another gifted performance by April Monte) not only remembering all the song wanderings but THE WORDS! Billions of them. All slamming into each other from one song to the next.

I love Che, who basically tells the story of Evita when she started at 15 working her way to being the wife of the President of Argentina in another 15 years. No time for frittering around and resting up. Che fell in love with Evita's story at the first and then as the times changed, so did his adoration of this wonderful woman. Just like many things, the honey moon didn't last all that long, but then again, she left when she was supposed to after doing so many wonderful things.

I'm trying to figure out what I have done in that short of time.. sadly, not much. (Ok, I"ll keep working on that..)

More fabulous voices (not a weak one in the cast at all.) and the DANCING!!! Choreographer extraordinaire: Amy Marie McCleary does it again. A tango worthy of Dancing with the Stars featuring Sami Doherty and Drew Stark ... totally erotic and breath-taking. A song or two sung in Spanish, many Latin-inspired dances. Wowsers! I want to go back again!

Check out the who.. you MUST go see this production!










The FOOD!! More Yum than you can shake your spoon at!

All menus include a complete salad bar with specialty salads, rolls and butter. Assorted desserts include pies, cakes, ice cream sundaes and more. Sugar-free options are available.
All meals include coffee, tea, and hot tea. Sodas and all other drinks are an additional charge.
GF  = Gluten Free
LF = Low Fat
*    = Evening Only

All Salad Dressings and Ice Cream are Gluten Free.






Thursday, September 22, 2016

Broadway Palm Opens 24th Season With YESTERDAY'S!

BROADWAY  PALM  OPENS 24th SEASON
WITH “YESTERDAY’S”







From left to right: Scott James Smith, Rachael Haber, Ilana Gabrielle, Housso Semon and Keith McCoy (check out the depth of his voice.. it will resound through out every molecule of your body)


Top from left to right: Keith McCoy, Ilana Gabrielle, Housso Semon, Rachael Haber, Jesse Michels; Bottom: Scott James Smith


He Ain't Heavy and Finale, whole cast


Broadway Palm opens its 24th Season with Yesterday’s playing now through October 8, 2016. Take a trip down memory lane with this musical comedy revue featuring music from the 50s and 60s! Broadway Palm is offering a “Season Opener Special” and all tickets are just $45 for dinner and the show.
            Yesterday’s will take you on a fun-filled journey back in time! You’ll hear all of the great music from the rockin’ 50s and the groovin’ 60s. Songs include My Girl, Leader of the Pack, Dancing in the Streets, At the Hop, It’s My Party, Me and Bobby McGee, Stop! In The Name of Love and many more!
             Yesterday’s was created, directed and choreographed by Victor Legarreta. Legarreta is a Southwest Florida favorite and has performed or directed in the area for the past 20 years. The cast includes Housso Semon, who recently stole the hearts of Broadway Palm audiences when she starred in Sister Act, along with Broadway Palm alumni Illana Gabrielle, Rachael Haber and Keith McCoy. Making their Broadway Palm debuts are Jesse Michels and Scott James Smith.
 Join Broadway Palm as they begin their 24th Season with Yesterday’s, playing now through October 8, 2016.  Performances are Wednesday through Sunday evenings with selected matinees. Broadway Palm is offering a “Season Opener Special” and all tickets are just $45 for dinner and the show. 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.







My Review: WOWOWOW!! Talk about Throwback Friday! So many great things to say about this production! First of all: my great good friend Victor Legarreta, actually created by him 17 years ago! Check out the backstory of how his production came to be! Love ya, Vic.. you continue to ROCK!!

Every one in the house was singing along throughout the whole evening. The cast said, "We hope you all remember these songs.. we don't!" I can so relate.. when my daughter, now 33, and her high school 'home girls' were at our house, I asked them what they considered "Classical Music".. they all said "the Beatles." Yikes! what a culture span! Anjelica was brought up on all of these songs..

For 30 years I played on stage in Florida, The Poconos and Salt Lake and then back to Florida, to Orlando where I was with a Polynesian group (their cover music was sure different than our regular Country-Rock, yes? 
All those years, we spent hour up on hour to keep running our cassette players back and back again to get the words to the songs we heard the other night. Yeah, we were certainly Old School.. but it was the ONLY school we knew at that time.
These Kids, yeah, I can call them kids, since I'm over twice their age.. rocked it like they knew what they were doing. And with Vic's help they reigned supreme. Vic was so careful with the once inflammatory music that was thriving during the War in Viet Nam. His gentle care in recognition of the Veterans in the audiences just proves the wonder of Victor Legarreta.
The cast was amazing. So funny during songs like "It's my Party" , "Leader of the Pack" and so many other cute songs that we used to sing in our living rooms with our girl friends, begging the Universe for our very own Leaders of the Pack. Yeah, Poodle Skirts, sweaters, pony tails. All of it. Honor for our 'ancient ages' was perfect and spot-on.  The Vocals are breath-taking. Trust me. 
And someone I DO NOT want to forget is my friend, Jayar Garcia. As extremely busy Stage Manager for every show, they busted him out to get onto the stage and in front of the world again. He is featured in La Bamba, and Me and Bobby McGee.
You will NOT be in the wrong place at the wrong time with this Adventure.. Rock on, Ya'll ~ Bekki
Check out the Cast. Kids, YOU ROCK!!

Here are all the songs Jam-packed into this fabulous show:
The Band was onstage throughout the production. I love being able to see them in action. Great job, my friends!

Who is behind all of this fun:


And how about the FOOOOOOOD!!! Oh, yeah. Dig in!


All menus include a complete salad bar with specialty salads, rolls and butter. Assorted desserts include pies, cakes, ice cream sundaes and more. Sugar-free options are available.
All meals include coffee, tea, and hot tea. Sodas and all other drinks are an additional charge.
GF  = Gluten Free
LF = Low Fat
*    = Evening Only
All Salad Dressings and Ice Cream are Gluten Free.
Click here for the Upscale Friday and Saturday Evening Plated Dinner Menu.

What's Next? Check it out!


Saturday, July 16, 2016

FOLLOW THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD TO BROADWAY PALM AS THEY PRESENT “THE WIZARD OF OZ!”



FOLLOW THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD TO BROADWAY PALM
AS THEY PRESENT “THE WIZARD OF OZ!”

            FORT MYERS, Fla – July 8, 2016 – There’s no place like Broadway Palm this summer as The Wizard of Oz lands on the Broadway Palm stage now through August 13, 2016. One of America’s most beloved films comes to life in a musical that will captivate the entire family.  
            The Wizard of Oz, based on the book by Frank L. Baum and the world famous 1939 film, chronicles the adventures of Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion and Toto, too!  Fly over the rainbow with Dorothy as she rides a twister into The Merry Old Land of Oz and learns that no matter how far our journeys take us, there’s no place like home. You’ll hear the songs from the delightful score you know and love such as Follow the Yellow Brick Road , Somewhere Over the Rainbow and We’re Off to See the Wizard.      
            The Wizard of Oz was directed and choreographed by Amy Marie McCleary. The cast includes Broadway Palm veterans Sarah Cammarata as Dorothy, Victor Legarreta as the Cowardly Lion, Christopher Russell as the Tin Man and making his debut at Broadway Palm is Regan McLellan as the Scarecrow. The cast also features local children and teenagers including Callie Atkinson, Chance Cintron, Isabella Cintron, Avery King, Chloe Lamb, Carson Maschmeier, Jesse Massari, Katie Means, Maddie Negip, Megan Salerno, Sierra Simon, Cody Vagle and Joey Worley.
            Follow the yellow brick road to Broadway Palm for The Wizard of Oz playing now through August 13, 2016. Ticket prices range from $39 to $62 with discounts for children and groups of 20 or more. There is a summer special for children 18 and under, tickets are just $20 for the buffet and the show! Tickets are now on sale and can be reserved by calling (239) 278-4422, by visiting www.BroadwayPalm.com or by stopping by the box office at 1380 Colonial Boulevard in Fort Myers.

Here is more info on this production!


BROADWAY PALM (AND TOTO, TOO!) LEND A HELPING PAW TO
THE GULF COAST HUMANE SOCIETY!

            FORT MYERS, Fla – June 23, 2016 – There’s no place like home so Broadway Palm (and Toto, too!) are partnering this summer to raise funds for the Gulf Coast Humane Society. The Wizard of Oz lands on the Broadway Palm stage from July 7 through August 13, 2016 and during the run, the theatre will be selling paper paw prints for $1 each. The paws will be decorated by cast members and theatre patrons then displayed throughout the theatre. All proceeds from the paw print sales will go directly to the Gulf Coast Humane Society.
            Gulf Coast Humane Society, located at 2010 Arcadia Street in Fort Myers, was established as the first non-profit animal welfare organization in southwest Florida in 1947.  The 501(c)(3) mission is to rescue, provide safe refuge and compassionate care, and find forever homes for abandoned and neglected animals in the area. GCHS only takes in owner surrender and transfers from other shelters and rescue groups with a high success rate of adoptions. Their veterinary clinic offers a full array of affordable services six days a week and the low cost, high quality affordable spay/neuter clinic is open four days a week. Both clinics are open to the public.
            The Wizard of Oz chronicles the adventures of Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion and Toto, too!  Fly over the rainbow with Dorothy as she rides a twister into The Merry Old Land of Oz and learns that no matter how far our journeys take us, there’s no place like home. You’ll hear the songs from the delightful score you know and love such as Follow the Yellow Brick Road , Somewhere Over the Rainbow and We’re Off to See the Wizard.      
            Follow the yellow brick road to Broadway Palm for The Wizard of Oz playing July 7 through August 13, 2016. Ticket prices range from $20 to $62 with discounts for children and groups of 20 or more. There is a summer special for children 18 and under, tickets are just $20 for the buffet and the show! Tickets are now on sale and can be reserved by calling (239) 278-4422, by visiting www.BroadwayPalm.com or by stopping by the box office at 1380 Colonial Boulevard in Fort Myers.








My review: FIRST of all, let me rant and rave about the behind the scenes elves that make all these productions appear seamless: I need to give MAJOR props to the Wizard of Oz (and most all the other 174 productions at Broadway Palm) costume designer, John P. White.. the man is breathtakingly amazing. And also to Jayar Garcia., Stage Manager who 'wrassels' all of the heavy, incredibly inventive stage settings, walls, on and on for every performance.
To make all of the moving parts work together like putting together a puzzle, to ME is a mind-blowing and never-ending but wonderful end result for those of us in the audience.. GREAT and Fabulous jobs, guys.. many hugs and thanks.

Then there is the Orchestra, Directed and Conducted by Loren Strickland.. who's been there for EVER carrying his 1000 pound book of music for each production. Woodwinds are generated by Gordon Edgerton, Trumpet stylings by Jordan Aquila, Trombone sounds wafted by either George Mancini or Kevin Devitt and finally, the men with the beat: Gary Leone or Tim Capel, depending on what night they are gifting to us.

NOW, let me talk about the AMAZING actors. First of all, my good friend Victor Legarreta (whose wife is in the Off Broadway production at the same time: Last of the red hot lovers.. another wonderful production in itself.. Break legs, girlfriend!).
Vic portrays the Cowardly Lion.. and man o day, I hear Burt Lahr wagging HIS lion tail at Vic from wherever his new stage is.. Vic NAILED it through the whole production as both Zeke AND the Cowardly Lion (not too many lines there, pfft!).
Dorothy Gale is Samantha Cammarata.. yup, also Nailed the original Judy Garlan's Dorothy but with a HELLA better voice! Wowsers!
Uncle Henry and the Oz Gate Keeper Brilliantly portrayed by Dale Given
A new addition to the Prather wonders: Regan McLellan as the Hank and the Scarecrow
Christopher Russell, that great song and dance man WHO TAPS (ya'll Know how much I adore tap and it's throughout the show), incredible voice that just does NOT stop played Hickory and the Tin Man.. awesome costuming and acting and tapping and.. so much more!
Christophers wife is Megan Orlowski.. how fun would it be to have a family of thespians all either in the same show or in the same building? Too fun! She was Miss Gulch and the Wicked Witch.. amazing. And a bit scary.
Professor Marvel and the Wizard by another brilliant actor, director, comic and all around great guy, Paul Bernier.. too cool for school.
Toto's fine acting was played by Mickey Alexson.. good boy!

And if ANY production includes Amy Marie McCleary's (Director/Choreographer) fingers, toes and legs in ANY of it.. you've totally got a winner.. and HER husband, Chris McCleary is your resident Sound Manager.. ALL in the wonderful and talented family!!

There are a billion peeps in both the adult and Teen/child Ensembles.. see below..




WHAT;S ON THE MENU!
http://www.broadwaypalm.com/shows/the-wizard-of-oz/menu/ 

Coming up on the Main Stage



and on the Off-Broadway Stage:

And for the Kids: 

Come join us! Have a fab evening of FOOD, FUN 
and AWESOME!