The Million Dollar Quartet ~ Broadway Palm Main Theatre

(Reviewer Note: I've waited to bring this to you because of the major significance of this actual and totally rare occurrence that really, truly happened on December 4^th, 1956. Please see the actual photo of his happening at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Million_Dollar_Quartet

due to legal parameters, I'm not allowed to post the actual photo, but please be aware of its historical significance in our world of music. And a billion KUDOS to the actors/musicians who are, today, working their musical fingers to the bone to accurately portray these amazing artists.

After playing the nightclub and house band circuit for 30 years, and unknowingly rolled my eyes when these tunes were requested, my eyes have been opened to my judgmental attitude of days gone by. Today, to pay homage to these amazing musicians, I would refrain from the eye-rolling and happily play their music from this day forward. ~ Bekki)

THE ELECTRIFYING BROADWAY MUSICAL “MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET”

ROCKS ITS WAY ONTO THE BROADWAY PALM STAGE!

            FORT MYERS, Fla – October 2, 2015 – Broadway Palm is thrilled to present the national tour of the Broadway musical MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET playing now through November 21, 2015. This international, Tony® Award-Winning musical is inspired by the electrifying true story when four rock ‘n’ roll icons came together as a red-hot band for one unforgettable night!

~*~*~

Million Dollar Quartet is set on December 4, 1956, when an auspicious twist of fate brought Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley together. Sam Phillips, the “Father of Rock ‘n’ Roll” who was responsible for launching the careers of each icon, gathered the four legendary musicians at the Sun Records storefront studio in Memphis for the first and only time. The resulting evening became known as one of the greatest rock ‘n’ roll jam sessions in history. MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET brings that legendary night to life with an irresistible tale of broken promises, secrets, betrayal and celebrations featuring timeless hits including Blue Suede Shoes, That’s All Right, Sixteen Tons, Great Balls of Fire, I Walk the Line, Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On, Fever, Folsom Prison Blues, Hound Dog and more!

~*~*~

 Join Broadway Palm as they rock the house with MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, playing now through November 21, 2015. Performances are Wednesday through Sunday evenings with selected matinees. Beginning October 27, performances are Tuesday through Sunday with selected matinees. Ticket prices range from $39 to $62 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 www.BroadwayPalm.com or by stopping by the box office at 1380 Colonial Boulevard in Fort Myers.

Playing now through November 21 is MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET!

Bring your QUARTET to see our QUARTET!

Buy FOUR tickets to any opening week (10/1/15 - 10/4/15) performance
of Million Dollar Quartet and get $10 OFF* each ticket!

This thrilling musical brings you inside the recording studio with rock 'n' roll icons Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins who came together as a red-hot rock ‘n’ roll band for one unforgettable night! You’ll hear Blue Suede
Shoes, Fever, Who Do You Love?, Great Balls of Fire, Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On, Folsom Prison Blues and more!

*Valid 10/1/15 - 10/4/15 ONLY for “Million Dollar Quartet.”
Not valid on previously purchased tickets or with any other offers or discounts. Reservations are required and this email must be presented at the box office to receive the discount. $10 Off valid for four tickets, per person, per email.

Get your tickets today!

PERFORMANCE TIMES

MAT - 11:45 Lunch, 1:15 Show

EVE - 5:30 Dinner, 7:30 Show

TWI - 5:30 Dinner, 7:00 Show 

Buffet and Show
Sunday - Thursday Evenings: 
$59.00

Friday & Saturday Evenings: 
$62.00

Matinees: $53.00

Children (12 and Under): $26.00

Show Only
Adults: $39.00; Children: $22.00

**A $3.00 per ticket fee applies for online orders**

Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre
1380 Colonial Boulevard
Fort Myers, FL 33907
(239) 278-4422
www.BroadwayPalm.com

 MY REVIEW:

I can NOT believe how many wonderful, once in an a lifetime things happen so quietly that are totally ground -breaking and amazing. Who of us had a clue about this ONE small, fast night in history when these incredible men came together, joked, snarked at and kidded each other and then created and expounded on the music they created, which was recorded.. Blows me away.

I played music in clubs for 30 years, many times as house bands. We were SOOOO tired of playing the same requests over and over and over again. And then I saw this dedication to the four. Wish I'd known this back in the day, my attitude toward the 'old, tired tunes' would have been so much different.

Continually requested, we just sighed and hopped into the tune.. again.

Watching these four, the one that caught my eye continuously was the little guy playing Jerry Lee Lewis ~ Jason Cohen. Two words for that kid, as wonderful as he was on stage, I just hope he can come out of that frenetic guy off stage, De Caf!
As Carl Perkins: Christopher Wren ~ the Amazing of the evening just does NOT stop!!!
As Johnny Cash: Evan Buckley Harris ~ omg.. the voice is EXACT!! chills.
As Jerry Lee Lewis: Jason Cohen ~ a frenetic delight to watch .. no wonder I lost about 3 pounds just watching him!
As Elvis Presley: Skip Robinson ~ sooooo coool!
And their band:
On Stand up Bass Player: Jay Perkins (His portrayal includes acrobatics.. do NOT take your eyeballs off of him, but still keep them on everyone else.. good luck with that!) ~ Jody Alan Lee
On drums as W.S. "Fluke" Holland: Jon Rossi
As the owner of Sun Records, Sam Phillips, the “Father of Rock ‘n’ Roll” who was responsible for launching the careers of each icon, gathered the four legendary musicians at the Sun Records storefront studio in Memphis for the first and only time. ~ Matthew Scott, whose understudy is Justin Droegemueller.
And the hottest woman in the group, ok, the ONLY woman in the group who sings FEVER and is SOOO awesome. I loved it .. and her as Dyanne: Jackey Good, whose under study is Allison Fund.

Seriously, they are amazing in their renditions of these fab guys. Congrats, ALL!! We LOVED it!

The Delicious Menu!

Chef Carved Beef Sirloin with Horseradish Sauce* - GF

Sliced Pork Loin Served over White Rice and Topped with a Sweet and Sour Glaze - GF

Chicken Bruschetta with Blue Cheese - GF

Almond Crusted White Fish in a Lemon Butter Sauce

Pasta Primavera

Au Gratin Potatoes

Pineapple Casserole

Brussels Sprouts with Caramelized Onions - GF

Roasted Acorn Squash - GF

Full Salad Bar With Caesar Salad, Tossed Salad and Assorted Fresh Toppings and Dressings

Rolls and Butter

A Delicious Selection of Composed Salads and Fresh Fruit

Ice Cream Table with Vanilla and No-Sugar-Added Pecan Ice Cream and a variety of toppings

(Sugar-free Chocolate Ice Cream Available Upon Request)

Dessert Buffet includes Sugar-free Cheesecake and Assorted Cakes and Pies

* Indicates Evening Only

GF - Indicated Gluten-Free

Second Chances, The Thrift Shop Musical!

Thrift shop musical in the

THE OFF BROADWAY PALM THEATRE:

THE LITTLE THEATRE WITH THE BIG SHOWS!

The Off Broadway Palm Theatre is located just off the main lobby inside Broadway Palm. The Off Broadway is a 100-seat theatre with a great view from every seat! The doors open a half hour prior to showtime for seating. If you chose to have dinner with us, the dining is in a separate dining room. 

  

SECOND CHANCES: THE THRIFT SHOP MUSICAL

SEPTEMBER 24 - NOVEMBER 7, 2015

This touching musical comedy takes you on a journey through a hilarious year of operation at the Palm Coast Community Church Thrift Shop. Throughout the year, you’ll find it’s not just old treasures at the shop that are getting second chances.

My Buddy, Rendel DeBose and on guitar, Christopher Russell

ML Graham, Jerry Sciarrio, and Rendel DeBose

The Cast: Victor Legarreta, Katie Pankow, Caitlin Newman, Christopher Russel, Megan Orlowski,
Rendel DeBose, Kelly Legarreta, Adam Clough, ML Graham & Jerry Sciarrio..
every ONE is a HIT!!
 LOVE LOVE LOVE

and WITH TOM: 

And on the FAR left (MY left facing the page), Assistant Director, king of ALL things funny and fun, wonderful guy: Paul Bernier. And in the very center, TOM and MRS. PRATHER..
I so love you ALL!!!

My review: What an incredibly fun fun FUN time spent watching this production! This delightful, fantasy thrift Shop came equipped with an in-house piano player , Wally (Christopher Russell), song and dance man.. then it was added to the4 entertainment , the fabulous Rendel DeBose, playing a returned Veteran, Tyler.

I tell ya what.. if any thrift shop, locally, would have a regular piano man, I'd work my buns off to be his vocalist.. yeah, I could work a thrift shop as their 'house band'!! LOL

Anyway, in the ensemble, you'll notice below as I include the cast, that four of the actors play multiple parts.. yeah, when you watch the production, keep track of how many costume and personality changes there are in here. More added characters than SYBIL!!! and they keep them all straight.. different clothing, different accents, different wigs.. and I have to say, this is the best production for wig-wearing, I've ever seen.. good job!

I also have to give major props to Tom Ross Prather, who made us wait forEVER for his production that he wrote, and conceived and FINALLY brought to fruition and the stage for us to laugh uproariously over. You soooo rock, Tom!!! We are all most grateful that you finally got it written, designed and directed for our viewing pleasure.. if there is more where this came from.. OUT WITH IT!!!! Here is more background on Tom, from another wonderful review of all that is Off Broadway at the Broadway Palm Dinner theatre.. 

http://www.news-press.com/story/entertainment/2015/09/18/broadway-palm-thrift-shop-musical-prather-fort-myers/72062628/

    

                   

UP NEXT at the Broadway Palm Triplex (Off Broadway, Main Stage and FOOOOD!!!!)

See the review for the Main stage below to see what food their awesome chefs and staff have prepared for you!!! you will LOVE it!!!!

Bekki Shanklin

bekkihere@gmail.com

Some Enchanted Evening, 168th Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre Production

And thanks to the orchestra.. amazing to watch.

BROADWAY  PALM  OPENS 23^rd SEASON WITH

“SOME ENCHANTED EVENING”

FORT MYERS, Fla – August 27, 2015 – Broadway Palm opens its 23^rd Season with Some Enchanted Evening playing August 27 through September 26, 2015. Rediscover the music of Rodgers and Hammerstein in this delightful musical revue! Broadway Palm is offering a “Season Opener Special” and all tickets are just $45 for dinner and the show.

            Some Enchanted Evening takes the audience on a journey through some of the greatest Broadway hits of all time! Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II wrote some of the most beloved songs ever performed and this musical brings their greatest hits together in one romantic night of music, laughs and love! Featuring songs from musical theatre classics including Oklahoma, Carousel, The Sound of Music, South Pacific, State Fair, The King and I, and many more. 

             Directing and choreographing Some Enchanted Evening is Amy Marie McCleary. McCleary’s critically acclaimed directing/choreography has been seen in many Broadway Palm productions including  Footloose, CATS, 9 to 5 the Musical and Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story. She also directed and choreographed the Prather Entertainment Group 2015 national tour of Memphis the Musical. The cast includes Broadway Palm veteran Kate Marshall who was most recently seen as Milly in the national tour of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, along with Rachael Haber who recently appeared in Footloose. Making their Broadway Palm debuts are Michael Santora, Jacob Waid and Jenna Leigh Zito. 

 Join Broadway Palm as they begin their 23^rd Season with Some Enchanted Evening, playing August 27 through September 26, 2015.  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 www.BroadwayPalm.com or by stopping by the box office at 1380 Colonial Boulevard in Fort Myers.

Season Opener Special: $45 for dinner and show!

~*~*~*~

 MY REVIEW: You MUST come to see this production.. if you love show tunes, fabulous voices and getting to SEE the orchestra live and ON STAGE, do NOT miss this show! This is Broadway Palm's 168^th production.

It's beautiful, funny in places, seriously romantic and the voices are just like hot fudge coursing all over your ear drums.. such a delight.

You WILL remember Sami Douherty from other performances, this time she is also the Dance Captain. Sami's a local actress growing up in Cape Coral and is a graduate of FSU School of Theater. She's been in about EVERY show that's come into fruition .. I love watching her.

The second Jacob Waid opens his mouth to sing, you know he's not been practicing in front of his mirror with a hair brush as a mic.. He has an extensive background in opera, performing the leading roles in many opras that I can't pronounce and do them justice, but just know he was in them and ROCKED!

Kate Marshall has been in Prather Productions before and was Fiona in SHREK (I adored that show!)

A couple of the other performers were on the Prather stage for the first time.. Michael Santora, Jenna Leigh Zito,Sarah Mossman (learn more about her from her website! Www.sarahmossman.com

And last but not least, Rachel Haber, and Troy Bruchwalski, back again!

I'll mention it again: there is not ONE single voice that is LESS THAN in the entire ensemble. We thrilled at the ranges, the incredible vocal arrangements, the moves, the orchestra.. EVEN LOREN STRICKLAND SANG and usually we don't even get to SEE him, let alone hear him warble as well!! I LOVED it ALL!!!!!!! wowsers! Amazing show.. go see it!!

And DO NOT miss the shows coming up.. scroll to bottom of the page to see what fun you REALLY are in for in the coming season!!

And in the art gallery area:

Set just off the main lobby, the Broadway Palm Art Gallery is home to exhibits featuring works by Southwest Florida artists. The exhibit changes with each main stage show and includes a variety of medium. Pieces are available for purchase through the gift shop.

During Some Enchanted Evening, the gallery features riginal artwork from area thrift shops in collaboration with Second Chances The Thrift Shop musical playing in Off Broadway Palm. All proceeds go directly back to each thrift shop.

SHOW MENU

Chef Carved Roasted Pork Loin* - GF

Pepper Steak with Rice

Chicken Marsala

Baked White Fish Florentine - GF/LF

Stuffed Shells

Roasted Ranch Potatoes - GF

Pineapple Casserole

Peas with Pearl Onions - GF/LF

Chef's Mixed Vegetables - GF/LF

Full Salad Bar With Caesar Salad, Tossed Salad and Assorted Fresh Toppings and Dressings

Rolls and Butter

A Delicious Selection of Composed Salads and Fresh Fruit

Ice Cream Table with Vanilla and No-Sugar-Added Pecan Ice Cream and a variety of toppings

(Sugar-free Chocolate Ice Cream Available Upon Request)

Dessert Buffet includes Sugar-free Cheesecake and Assorted Cakes and Pies

* Indicates Evening Only
LF - Indicated Low Fat
GF - Indicated Gluten-Free

Rhythm of the Night.. presented to the world by the Big Arts Strauss Theater on Sanibel Island, FL

http://www.bigarts.org/theater.html 

 Bekki's Review:

First of all, if you don't have any clue that the previously named Sanibel Schoolhouse Theater even exists, peeps, you have been backin up thru life. Here is the address: 900 Dunlop Road, Sanibel (239) 395-0900. 

This is one of the most fun productions I've seen on Sanibel for a LONGGG LONGGG time!!

With it's Latin influence throughout the show, you will see the love of the music by realizing that the Choreographer, Bobby Logue, distinctly has a love for the music. He created the show around his love for the genre of Latin Music. I've been a friend and a fan of Bobby for like.. ever! I'm so proud of him in this production! ROCK ON, BOBBY!!

He developed, directed, choreographed, designed costumes for, and performs in the entire show.. most every person in the ensemble are constantly on stage.. singing, dancin', romancin'. this show has it all. It only took him 25 years to pay tribute to the style of the Latin sound.. thank heaven mercury aligned with mars and it finally got here!!

Juan Luis Espinal, comes to us from the Dominican Republic, and this 

production is right up his language. Gorgeous man, fabulous singer, heck of a dancer.. a total delight in this production.. And juggles! and so enjoys being able to sing in Spanish on stage.. they ALL do!! Trained in the conservatory program at the Lee Strasberg Theater and Film Institute after learning his degree in markting at the Instituto Technologico de Santo Doming.

 Christopher Dean Anderson. I adore watching him sing, and dance.. heck of a voice. the show wouldn't be the same without him.. He's appeared in feature films, television, music videos and fashion industry highlights, and his choreography  has won numerous awards. Rock ON, Christopher!!!

 Marley Dove, the pixie of the group.. wait til you hear her sing Man of La Mancha in the Second Act (Segundo Acto), takes your breath away.. this is her first show st Strauss Theater. Her home state is North Carolina, a trained gymnast (yeah, you'll realize that when you see her in action!!) Currently lives in New York City.. and we are so happy to have kidnapped her for this short time!

 Tempestt Perrin, I want to grow up to be as graceful as she is.. I"m more the wade in and be a MAC truck, next to her! Elegante.. and get this: She graduated magna cum laude ith her B.A. in dance from Sam Houston State University and has trained with Joffrey Ballet Summer Intensives, Debbie Allen Dance Intensive, and Broadway Dance Center. No, slouch, this one!!!

And last but never least: 

 Sheridin Wright, tall, gorgeous, you can't miss her, Trust me!! I love watching her, heck I love watching them all.. from the group dances, the partners dances. She's been dancing since childhoood as part of the Roanoke Ballet Theatre in Roanoke University. While studying aboad in France, she discovered  ballroom dancing.. and it SHOWS!!!

Please go see this production.. Rhythm of the Night runs now through Aug. 15 at BIG ARTS’ Herb Strauss Theater. For information and tickets, visit online at bigarts.org..

DANGER, SHAMELESS PLUG: And be sure to go on Tuesday, August 11, I'll be spending my birthday, celebrating my most venerable age of being both wise and maintaining devastatingly good looks.. come join us!! There MIGHT be cake!! (fingers very crossed!!)

The shows start at 7pm.. you can buy water, candy bars, get tickets for the 50/50.. and beware of Shamless Plug.. WHOEVER WINS THE 50/50 will also be gifted with one of my hand-painted reusable grocery bags.. my website: 

http://www.bekkis-eco-boutique.com/bekkisclothgrocerybags.htm 

now, back to Rythm of the night!