By LILIANE PARBOT-JOHNSON

lparbotjohnson@breezenewspapers.com

Sixteen years ago, a celebrated name of the entertainment world emigrated to the Sunshine State, and ever since people in Southwest Florida have found their way to the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre.

People from all over Lee County, Charlotte and other surrounding counties, go to the Fort Myers entertainment complex to enjoy truly professional theatrical presentations. The address is 13 80 Colonial Blvd., at the eastern foot of the bridge to Cape Coral.

Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre is now starting its “17th Spectacular Season,” announced Spokesperson Susan Johnson.

The current 16th Season ends with “Peter Pan,” which runs through Aug. 8, and tickets are $18 for those under the age of 18.

The 17th Season opens with “Married Alive,” a very funny and touching new musical scheduled to run from Aug. 13 through Sept. 26.

Tickets for all 2009-2010 Season productions are now on sale, Johnson said. For reservations, call (239)278-4422, stop by the box office, or visit on line at www.BroadwayPalm.com

“Married Alive” takes a look at two married couples, one newlywed and the other with more experience. They take their audiences from new babies to empty nests, from job stress to domestic bliss.

“Join us as they experience life from Niagara to Viagra,” quips the promotion material.

Since this is the season opener, there is a special ticket price of $35 for dinner and show.

For all the other shows, including dinner, the ticket price on weekdays and Sunday evenings is $49, and $53 on Sunday evenings. Special matine price is $47. Performances are Tuesday through Sunday evenings, but there is no evening performance on Tuesday from May through October.

“If they elect just to see the show, it is $27,” Johnson added.

Group and children’s prices are available.

Throughout the year, the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre offers performances to please all tastes.

“Whether you are 4 or 84, or any age in between, our 17th Season has a show for everyone,” Johnson said.

The theater complex has much more than the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre. The “Off Broadway Dinner Theatre” is a general admission theater seating 90, where musical reviews and comedies are presented. Also on site is the “Caf Cabaret,” for private parties accommodating up to 130 persons.

The complex also offers an art gallery, souvenirs and more.

During the summer, a “Theater Camp” is offered by two of the actors, in conjunction with Alliance for the Arts. It is for children in grades seventh through ninth, and it runs for six weeks each summer, Monday through Friday. this year, it will end Aug. 7. To enroll a child, call the Alliance for the Arts at (239)939-2787.

It all began with a vacation

Two decades ago, three members of a Pennsylvania family were vacationing in Fort Myers, and they noticed how much entertainment was missing in the area.

Will, Tom, and Debbie Prather were all involved in theater. Tom and Debbie had produced some 700 shows, and Will owned the Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre in Lancaster, Penn., as well as the Broadway Palm West in Mese, Ariz.

“It all started with a vacation. They saw there was a need,” said Johnson, who joined the Fort Myers Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre only two weeks after it opened, Oct. 30, 1993. She had worked in Chicago and San Francisco behind the scenes, doing promotions, advertising and marketing.

In all, some 100 people, performers, choreographers, directors, set designers and others are involved with Broadway Palm, at one time or another, and they are primarily from New York. Some 20 people may be involved in each show.

For the performers, the “triple threat” is needed. Johnson said this means being multi-talented, as actor, dancer and singer. All auditions are conducted in New York. Whether they are choreographers, directors or others, each person has his or her own talent and specialties, Johnson said that having a large pool of talent to choose from makes it possible to avoid shows looking repetitive.

Two years ago, the Prather Family began a new venture, that of taking shows on the road.

The first National Tour was with “Beehive. This past May, the 60-city tour was completed. The next tour will get on its way in September, and it will take the “Wedding Singer” to 90 cities, already lined up, Johnson said.

Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre 2009-2010 schedule as provided

*”Dirty Rotten Scoundrels”

Oct. 1-Nov. 14

Based on the popular 1988 film, starring Steve Martin and Michael Caine, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is the story of two con men living on the French Riviera. One of the con men is suave and sophisticated and the other is a small-town crook. A hilarious battle of the cons begins that will keep audiences laughing and guessing who wins in the end!

*”A Christmas Carol”

Nov. 19 – Dec. 26

Based on the story by Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol, is a musical version of the classic Christmas tale of grumbly old Ebenezer Scrooge and his Christmas Eve visit by three spirits in hopes to change his outlook on life.

*”George M!”

Dec. 31-Feb. 14

The musical based on the life of America’s first show business mega-star, George M. Cohan. Includes the songs Give My Regards to Broadway, Yankee Doodle Dandy and You’re a Grand Old Flag.

*”The King and I”

Feb. 18-April 10

The moving story of a determined English schoolteacher and the powerful King of Siam. Set against an exotic background, the timeless love story features the songs Hello Young Lovers, I Whistle a Happy Tune and Getting to Know You.

*”Ring of Fire”

April 15-June 5

The Broadway hit that celebrates the songs of the legendary Johnny Cash. His remarkable life story is told through his music and features over 30 Johnny Cash hits: Ring of Fire, I Walk the Line, I’ve Been Everywhere and The Man in Black.

*”Footloose”

June 10-Aug. 7

The story of a mother and her son, Ren, who move from Chicago to a small religious farming town. Ren finds out that the town they have moved to has banned dancing and decides to shake things up. The Oscar-nominated Top 40 score includes the hits Holding Out for a Hero, Let’s Hear it for the Boy, Somebody’s Eyes and the title song, Footloose.

Off Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre 2009-2010

schedule as provided

* “Bill W. and Dr. Bob”

Aug. 27-Oct. 3

The amazing, and sometimes humorous, story of a stockbroker and a surgeon, both alcoholics, whose relationship becomes the inspiration for the Twelve Steps of AA. One of the most enduring success stories in American history.

Special Engagement Prices: $35 for dinner and the show and $20 for show only.

*”Winter Wonderettes”

Nov. 5-Dec. 26

It is 1968 and the Marvelous Wonderettes are the entertainers at the Harper’s Hardware holiday party. You’ll be dancing in the aisles with holiday classics that include Santa Baby; Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town; Jingle Bell Rock; Run, Rudolph, Run and Winter Wonderland.

*”Are We There Yet”

Jan. 14- March 7

A rollercoaster ride that explores the trials and tribulations of family life; from child-birth to senior prom, to empty nests and everything that’s encountered on the wonderfully bumpy road of life. There is even a song titled CHA-CHING, which pays homage to all the visits to Wal-Mart and Target!

* “Love, Sex & the IRS”

March 11-May 2

The story of two out-of-work musicians who room together in New York to save money. One of them has been filing tax returns that list the pair as a married couple. However, the day of reckoning comes when an IRS investigator shows up!

Broadway Palm

Children’s Theatre

These shows are fun for everyone. The chef’s buffet includes children’s favorites like hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, french fries and more. All productions are matines with lunch at noon and show at 1 p.m., unless indicated (* Indicates early matine with lunch at 10:30 a.m. and show at 11:30 a.m.). Tickets are $15 for all ages.

*”Alice in Wonderland”

Nov. 29 & Dec. 1*, 2*, 4*, 8*,

11*, 12, 15*, 17*, 18*, 22.

The adventure of a little girl named Alice who falls down a rabbit-hole into a fantasy world inhabited by unusual creatures.

*”The Emperor’s New Clothes”

April 28*, 30* & May 2, 6*, 7*,

8, 12*, 14*, 16, 20*, 21*, 22,

27*, 28*, 30

The Hans Christian Anderson classic about an emperor who cares more about his clothes than anything else in his kingdom.

* “Cinderella”

June 25, 27 & July 1, 2, 7, 9, 11,

15, 16, 17, 21, 23, 25, 30, 31

All of your favorite characters come to life on stage, including Cinderella, Prince Charming, the Fairy Godmother, the Wicked Stepmother and the stepsisters.