As Florida businesses start to reopen, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to cause adjustments at the Broadway Palm in Fort Myers. The theatre remains temporarily closed.
Meanwhile, the Broadway Palm’s new Virtual Cabaret continues every Saturday at 6 p.m. on Facebook.
A statement on the theatre website reads: “During this trying time, we’re thrilled to collaborate with our sister theatre and touring companies to bring you a VIRTUAL CABARET! Join us on Facebook every Saturday night at 6 p.m. to see some of your favorite Prather Productions’ actors and actresses perform for you. This is a free virtual event that our team created because we wanted to continue to spread joy and happiness through the arts and entertainment. After the video streams live on Facebook, we will save it there for future viewing and we’ll also upload them here to our website. We hope you enjoy a bit of “live theatre” during this time of staying home and social distancing.”
In late April, Broadway Palm owner Will Prather said the theatre will make numerous changes for the health and safety of its patrons and staff when it reopens. “It is almost certain that when we reopen this summer, we will need to temporarily operate at a reduced capacity as to adhere to guidelines that will be in place for restaurants, entertainment venues and social gatherings. My team is working on plans to adjust our seating chart to create more space between parties. In addition, we will not be seating guests in different parties at shared tables during this time period,” he said.
“To further ensure the health and wellness of our customers, at least for the time being, we will be switching from buffet service to served meals including bread, soup, a house or Caesar salad, and choice of five entrees. And of course, a selection of delicious desserts including our famous macaroons,” said Prather in a statement.
The scheduled run of Kinky Boots was cut short on the main stage in March, and Always a Bridesmaid was suspended in the Off Broadway Palm Theatre. Something Rotten was originally scheduled to open on April 9, but that opening was canceled.
The Broadway national tour of Chicago was originally scheduled to heat up the Broadway Palm stage May 20 – May 30. That too has been canceled.
Swing was also scheduled to hit the main stage June 3 – June 30. The theatre website no longer has that show on the schedule.
Looking ahead …. The summer will feature The Sound of Music on the main stage June 25 – Aug. 8. Based on the book The Story of the Trapp Family Singers and the 1965 film starring Julie Andrews, this Rodgers and Hammerstein musical has touched the hearts of audiences around the world for decades.
In the Off Broadway Palm, Love, Sex and the IRS is scheduled to play June 4 to July 26, according the the website. The hysterical story of two out-of-work musicians, Jon and Leslie, 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! Jon’s fiancée dresses Leslie as a woman, but things get a tad confusing when Jon’s mother drops in to meet his new fiancée!
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.
For more info, visit www.BroadwayPalm.com, call (239) 278-4422 or stop by the box office at 1380 Colonial Blvd. in Fort Myers.
