Arizona Broadway Theatre Celebrates 10 Years of Professional Theatre in the Valley

Arizona Broadway Theatre (ABT) celebrated its 10-year anniversary in the Valley on November 4, exactly 10 years from the professional performing arts organization's founding.

Paying homage to its first shows performed in a tent at the Peoria Sports Complex, the festivities included an outdoor cocktail hour complete with a chandelier-and-light-adorned white tent with a live band. Inside the theatre, guests were treated to fine dining by executive chef Jon Mortimer, memorabilia from each season displayed museum-style and live-and-video entertainment from current and past ABT alum. Co-founder and artistic producer Cassandra Norville Klaphake also provided a special youth performance featuring one of her vocal students, Madison Cichon.

During his speech on what to expect from the nonprofit in the next decade, Kiel Klaphake, ABT's executive producer and founder, gave special attention to the importance of collaboration.

"This organization is no single person," said Klaphake. "As a community we are a family, and together we have all set the foundation for growth at ABT. That collaboration has been, and will continue to be, the key to sustaining this theatre as a leading producer of performing arts in Arizona."

The Valley's arts-minded donors and supporters, including those who have been supporting the theatre since day one as subscribers, attended the event. Also in attendance were fellow founders Ron and Penny Klaphake, plus performers and staff that have been involved with the organization since its inception.

In its 10 years, Arizona Broadway Theatre has become one of the Valley's premiere performing arts destinations offering professional musical theatre in the heart of the P83 District in Peoria. With eight full-scale musicals each season, and dozens of special events and youth productions, it is one of the few theatres with summer productions. West Side Story kicked off the theatre's 11th Season, and runs through November 15. Opening next will be A Christmas Carol: The Musical on stage November 27 through December 27.

For more information on ABT and its event and donation opportunities, visit azbroadway.org or call the ABT Box Office at (623) 776-8400.

Photo Credit: Arizona Broadway Theatre/MikeBPhoto.net

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