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Westchester Broadway Theatre Celebrates 40 Years!

By: Jun. 18, 2014
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On July 9, 2014 Westchester Broadway Theatre will celebrate our fortieth Anniversary. The Theatre has a history of 184 main-stage productions and nearly a thousand Monday/Tuesday special events and concerts. Our objective with this world-class venue is to always provide our audiences, which come from far and wide, with the highest production values and most memorable entertainment and dining experiences.

On July 9, 1974, with their first production, Kiss Me Kate, Bill Stutler and Bob Funking pioneered the Dinner Theatre concept in Westchester by designing, building and opening An Evening Dinner Theatre, serving dinner and lunch. A culmination of what many considered to be two of the most risky business types, a restaurant and a theatre, Bill and Bob pushed the envelope to develop what has become the longest running year-round professional equity theatre in the state of New York."

An Evening Dinner Theatre boasted many strengths over other area theatres of the time such as a unique seating arrangement (every table faced the stage - there were no 'bad' seats), a 3/4 thrust stage, as well as the casting of Broadway performers at auditions and the hiring the creative staff (Directors, Choreographers, Musical Directors, Set, Costume and Lighting Designers) in New York City. An inevitable alternative to traveling into the city to see a Broadway show where the parking is free, dinner is included, the talent is top-notch, and you were sure to have a truly memorable experience

In 1991, Bill and Bob moved the theatre to a new location not far from the original. A larger performance space, state-of-the-art technology, increased seating capacity, and many other features were among the positive aspects of this change. The theatre was also given a new name. Gone was An Evening Dinner Theatre. The days of the Westchester Broadway Theatre (WBT) had begun. The musical, A Chorus Line was the first performance at the new theatre.

In 2004, Bill and Bob were inducted into the Westchester County Business Hall of Fame. They have produced more shows than most Broadway producers!

At the time of this writing, Mary Poppins flies onto our stage as the 184th production to have graced the stages of An Evening and WBT, not including many special events and concerts featuring performers such as Jackie Mason, Tom Jones, George Carlin, Paul Anka, Wayne Newton and Harry Belafonte.

WBT, as we know it today, is a cultural mainstay of the tri-state area. It is the only theatre of its kind in Westchester, where Broadway performers, directors and designers gather to create this level of Musical Theatre. With the continued support of our audiences, we pledge to continue to present the best in theatre and dining!

Musical Shows On stage:

Mary Poppins - to July 27th

The Wizard of Oz (MGM Movie Version) - July 31st to September 21st

South Pacific - September 25th to November 30th and December 31st to January 11th, 2015

It Happened One Christmas Eve - December 4th to December 28th

Ticket Prices Dinner & Show range between $54.00 and $80.00 PLUS TAX depending on the performances chosen. Beverage Service & Gratuities are not included in the ticket price. Discounts are available for children, students, and senior citizens at selected performances. Also check the website for on-going Special Offers! More news at: www.BroadwayTheatre.com

Show Times: Wednesday Matinees (except July) : Lunch: 11:30 am & Show 1 pm. Thursday & Friday Matinees: Lunch: 11:30 am & Show 1 pm. Thursday, Friday, & Saturday Evenings: Dinner: 6:30 pm & Show: 8 pm.

Sunday Matinees: Lunch: 12 pm & Show: 1:30 pm

Sunday Evenings: Dinner: 5:30 pm & Show: 7 pm.

Reservations: Call (914)-592-2222. Also at: www.BroadwayTheatre.com

Group Reservations: Discounts for Groups of 20 or More: Call 592-2225.

Luxury Boxes: Call 592-8730. For private parties of 6 to 22. Enjoy dining and theatre in an elegant private box. Additional features include an expanded dinner menu, hot and cold hors d'oeuvres, private powder room, and Luxury Box reserved parking. Additional cost, call for details.



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