Paradise Playhouse Dinner Theatre and Events Center in the News

"Paradise Found" by Rebecca Dempsey

Article courtesy of KCSTAGE

Paradise Playhouse was a dream come true for Frank and Cathy Parrino. They owned a flower shop for their day job; enjoyed trips to Hawaii when they could get away; and put their visual, acting, and directing skills to work for Excelsior Springs Community Theater for several years. Then they had the chance to build their own dinner theater and combine their passions in theater and Hawaii—Paradise Playhouse opened in 1999 and ran successfully until Frank and Cathy retired to their theater’s namesake in 2008. The building was leased for a short time, but the theatre closed again in 2009.

Now, Paradise has been found!

I talked recently with Cress Hewitt, the current artistic/events director of the reopened Paradise Playhouse. Here is some of our conversation about the dinner theater.

How did the theater get started again?
Jim and Sarah Dickerson saw the building while visiting Sarah's grandmother in Excelsior Springs, and liked what they saw. They decided to meet with some of the former staff and actors and see what could be done to reopen the business. Jim owns a couple of companies and he recently formed Paradise Entertainment to operate the dinner theatre which is currently leasing the building. His plans are to continue with business as usual for many years to come.

What are your goals for the theater?
We decided to follow the philosophy, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Frank and Cathy Parrino were a success, and the patrons loved their experience at Paradise. We decided to recreate that atmosphere and expand from there. Our goals are to provide the northland with quality dinner theatre and serve as the premier events center in the northland. In addition, we offer extra events, including concerts, comedians, magicians, etc. We want to make Paradise Playhouse an events center for the entire northland community. We are planning to keep the bar open for a while after the performance for people to stop in, have a drink, and visit the cast and crew. We are also hoping to use our Banyan Room for meetings, conferences, and other gatherings.

Are you considering variety in your type of plays, or will you continue to specialize in comedy?
We are constantly evaluating our performances, and play selection is based upon what our guests say they would like to see; however, comedies seem to be what our audiences prefer. Our shows this season are Murder Room, January 20-February 11; Footlight Frenzy, March 23-April 14; Who’s in Bed with the Butler, May 25-June 16; Over the River and Through the Woods, July 20-August 11; and Tom, Dick, and Harry, September 28-October 20.

How do you decide what kinds of special events to offer?
We are trying to offer a variety of entertainment based on what our patrons want. Currently we have a comedian, Will C, planned for December 16; a 50's group, The Fabulous Torque's, planned for December 17; a New Year's Eve celebration with Spike Blake and Rudy Amato; and an illusionist, Tom Burgoon, on February 17.

Who provides the “dinner” part of your dinner theater?
The Golden Ox is handling all the food and beverage services. The buffet is expanded and there are a larger variety of salads and entrées, with food choices that are unique to the area.

How often does the menu change?
Each of the six productions will have a different menu. This also holds true with other events as well. If the event has a theme that may call for a specialized menu, Golden Ox will work with us in planning such a menu.

Is there a “just dessert” show?
Yes, our Thursday performance is a "just desserts" performance for which only dessert is served. The ticket price for this performance is less.

You mentioned that most of your actors have returned. Do you have open auditions, also?
At this time, we are contacting potential cast members and asking them to take roles. We may conduct an open audition in the future in order to expand our talent pool, but for the time being we are relying on all those who have performed on our stage or with whom we have worked in the past.

Why does Excelsior Springs need two theaters? Why not put all the resources into one theater group? Do you find that both are well-supported in attendance? How is Paradise Playhouse different from ESCT?
The Excelsior Springs Community Theatre is well established as a local community theatre and has found its niche in the community. Paradise Playhouse strives to provide another venue for the northland, one in which the people can come and relax, have a cocktail, enjoy a full buffet, and enjoy a performance by a troop of actors from the entire northland area. Each venue offers a very different product and there is a need for both.

How can our readers find out more about your theater?
We are advertising locally and we are on Facebook, Paradise Playhouse Dinner Theatre and Events Center, and Twitter @Paradise6303333 and our website is www.paradiseplayhouse.org.

Paradise Playhouse Dinner Theatre and Events Center in the News

Murder Room experiencing “sell out crowds” at the Paradise Playhouse Dinner Theatre and Events Center

The Lawson Review

Paradise Playhouse Dinner Theatre and Events Center was excited to have their first "sell out audience" last Saturday for the mystery farce, Murder Room, and this coming Saturday is also a sell out. Tickets still remain for this coming Friday and Sunday, February 3 and 5, as well as next Thursday, Friday and Saturday, February 9, 10 and 11. This comedy, by Jack Sharkey features the talents of Kerri Brock, Donna Frazier, Mo Oelklaus, Jill Camper Corey McIntire, and Cress Hewitt. It is under the direction of Cress Hewitt with the assistance of Leah Johnson.

Mavis and her lover plan to kill her wealthy husband, Edgar Hollister, and seem to have succeeded quite quickly and all too easily, but have they? The arrival of Edgar's dotty daughter, Susan, with fiance in tow, complicates everything as they try to solve the mystery of Edgar's disappearance. The interfering housekeeper fails to help as do the two bumbling members of the Harrogate police department.

Paradise Playhouse has partnered with the Golden Ox for all food and beverage service. The Golden Ox is providing all food and beverage for the dinner theatre's regular season plays and also for any other events the venue hosts throughout the year.

In addition to the six-show season, Paradise Playhouse Dinner Theatre and Events Center has become the premier events center for the northland. Paradise Playhouse has already hosted a number of other great events and continues to book a variety of extra programs. The doors will be also be opened for private parties, anniversary celebrations, weddings, receptions, family and class reunions, clubs, groups and professional breakfast, lunch and dinner meetings.

After their staging of Murder Room, Paradise Playhouse will welcome master hypnotist, Thomas Burgoon to the stage for one performance on Saturday, February 18. Without any trace of belittlement, Tom will take a group of volunteers onstage and the audience in their seats on a wonderful journey full of merriment, music and mirth. You have never experienced anything like this before. This show is totally unique and different. The audience is invited to explore the fascinating "world of the mind".

Paradise Playhouse Dinner Theatre and Events Center in the News

The Paradise Playhouse New Years Eve Shindig

By: The Confounded Cook

http://networkedblogs.com/snES1

There is a belief among certain folks that what a person is experiencing at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve holds some sort of clue as to how the following year might unfold. I, myself, have beheld New Year's moments both divine and wretched get reflected in various ways in the course of the following year. As far as I'm concerned, those moments are just that, however, and don't necessitate the course of the entire year. If. however, they do still offer some clues as to how the next year might go, 2012 is looking golden as we had a marvelous evening at Paradise Playhouse Dinner Theater and Events Center.

This was the first NYE shindig for the re-opened dinner theater and they also hosted a silent auction that served as a benefit for the Downtown Excelsior Partnership; the downtown support system that also employs Keith. K and I helped out with the fund-raising portions of the evening; ensuring that the auction went smoothly as well as creating keepsake photos for attendees.

The night was very well-attended and the auction brought many a bid. Dinner was once again served by Golden Ox and the delicious favorites were back: savory Chicken Piccata, succulent Prime Rib and that southwest-style pasta salad that I love.

The absolute kick of the evening, however, was provided by the entertainment. Two gentleman of somewhat disparate performing styles had us in musical heaven all night.

Rudy Amato had us all swooning with his Sinatraesque crooning. He would channel Ol' Blue Eyes than smoothly transition to Dean Martin and much to my delight, slip in a little Moondance from Van Morrison. Once we were under a musical spell, we were then introduced to Spike Blake, who performs a dueling pianos-style show. Spike slowly brought us out of our reverie and had us dancing in the aisles.

By the show's conclusion, he and Rudy were singing together and a fair portion of the crowd was partying and dancing on stage with the singers. It was clear that everyone was having a ball and the traditions were raucously intact...the countdown was called, glasses of bubbly were raised and the New Year was toasted in grand style.

New Years Eve at Paradise Playhouse was a hit in every way...the auction was a great success and everyone had a fantastic time. If the stroke of midnight is indeed an indication of how 2012 will go, its going to be a wonderfully entertaining and successful year for Paradise Playhouse and for those of us fortunate enough to be in attendance at their marvelous New Year's Eve party.

Paradise Playhouse Dinner Theatre and Events Center in the News

Return to Paradise

By: The Confounded Cook

http://networkedblogs.com/pTiS4

Last Saturday, we stopped at the Elms to see the progress of their liquidation auction. It is an odd sight to see so much of the furniture already hauled out and the front desk being used as the payment center for the auction. It is all in preparation for the renovations; but odd nonetheless. So, we moved on from an in-progress site to a newly re-opened one in downtown Excelsior Springs. 

Originally built and operated by the Parrinos in 1999, this sleek building has been sitting sadly dormant for awhile, but with great fanfare, the Paradise Playhouse reopened to the public on this night and we were thrilled to come support its return. New president and CEO Jim Dickerson is responsible for bringing this dinner theater back to life and our friend Cress Hewitt returned as Artistic/Entertainment Director. This past Saturday night featured a classical music performance and a packed house.

This was my first visit to the Paradise and I was quite impressed..I have little experience with dinner theater but I thought this was completely charming. The Polynesian theme could make for some tacky decor, but not in this case...there were many festive but tasteful touches but nothing over-the-top. 

 Dinner theater is typically more about the theater than the dinner but I'm also delighted to report that dinner played far more than a supporting role here. With food served by Kansas City steak haven the Golden Ox (birthplace of the KC Strip!), there was a plethora of palatable deliciousness available: luscious Chicken Piccata, succulent Prime Rib, and tasty salmon were just a few of the many offerings. The good folks at the Playhouse lobby bar can also mix a mean Grey Goose martini to boot. The classical performance by pianist Sean Martinez and violinist Elizabeth Codd was lovely; featuring numbers that ranged from Rachmaninoff to the Beatles. This re-opening shindig also served as a benefit for the Good Samaritan Center.

It was an absolute kick to see the place packed and looking towards bright future. Break a leg, Paradise Playhouse!

Paradise Playhouse Dinner Theatre and Events Center in the News

Paradise Playhouse Dinner Theatre and Events Center Announces Ambassador Program

The Paradise Playhouse Dinner Theatre and Events Center is proud to announce the new Paradise Ambassadors Program.  The Paradise Ambassadors are made up of a team of volunteers who act as theater ushers, guides and ticket office aides as well as providing many other services for the Paradise Playhouse Dinner Theatre and Events Center.  The Paradise Ambassadors not only serve as ambassadors for Paradise, but the Excelsior Springs community as well.  Paradise Ambassadors are well versed in the community surrounding the Paradise Playhouse Dinner Theatre and Events Center and are available to help Paradise guests not only with questions about our facility, but area attractions, hotels and shops.

Some of the duties of the Paradise Ambassadors include greeting the public, taking tickets and distributing programs, assisting patrons to their seats, check-in patron's coats and answering questions from Paradise guests.

If you would like to become a Paradise Ambassador, please contact Paradise Ambassador Coordinator Helen Price at 816-630-3333.