"Paradise Found" by Rebecca Dempsey

This article is from the January 2012 issue of KC Stage

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 now on Facebook, Paradise Playhouse Dinner Theatre and Events Center, and Twitter @Paradise6303333. We are also promoting our website at www.paradiseplayhouse.org.

Rebecca Dempsey is a teaching artist for Kansas City Young Audiences, assistant director for Liberty Public Schools, and acts in films, commercials, and on local stages.