The Paradise Playhouse Dinner Theatre was constructed in 1999 by Frank and Cathy Parrino. The theatre was successfully operated by the Parrinos for ten years and was supported largely by season ticket holders.

The theatre consists of: 11,500 square feet with a 1,015 square foot stage and an additional 670 square feet of wing space. The last tier of tables is only 44 feet from the stage. The theatre also has a 950 square foot meeting room which seats 50 at tables or 75 theatre-style. The theatre has a fully-equipped technical booth with computerized light and sound board, and a fully-equipped state-of-the-art stainless steel kitchen.

The Parrinos combined their passion for theatre and the South Seas when they created Paradise Playhouse. The lush Polynesian atmosphere provided the perfect setting for a delightful afternoon or evening of entertainment. The theatre season consisted of six premiere shows, specially selected to surprise and delight audiences. It also featured an ever-changing dinner buffet prepared on-site, comfortable seats and tables arranged close to the stage, a unique selection of desserts, and a full service bar. The theatre was designed to present the best environment possible for dinner theatre, and with seating for 141, audience members enjoyed the “ensemble feel” with the cast members.

Frank and Cathy were successful in their endeavor for 10 years and the theater remained vibrant and successful. Their dream was to retire to Hawaii and they purchased a home there and eventually moved there and the Paradise closed in 2009.

In the spring of 2011, Jim Dickerson drove by the Paradise Playhouse with his wife Sarah on the way to see Sarah’s Grandmother who lives in the area.  Jim did not know that the theatre existed until that day, however Sarah grew up in Excelsior Springs and was aware of the theatre’s great success in the past.  Jim was intrigued and began to do some research into the Paradise Playhouse.

Jim was able to make contact with a number of the people who had worked with Frank and Cathy during the successful days of the theatre in the previous decade.  What he learned was that the Paradise Playhouse was more than just a dinner theatre, it was like a second home to so many people who had dedicated so much time and effort into making it a success.   Later that spring, Jim spoke to Frank and Cathy and realized after that conversation that the Paradise Playhouse was too important to too many people to let it sit idle. 

As they say, the rest is history and in the fall of 2011 the Paradise Playhouse Dinner Theatre and Events Center reopened to the delight of many past patrons, past actors, directors and staff members who so looked forward to the day Paradise might return.   The Paradise now serves as a premier dinner theatre and events center in the northland located in the heart of downtown Excelsior Springs.