Monday, July 25, 2016

The Alhambra Theatre and Dining welcomes ‘Smokey Joe's Café’


Finally, the acclaimed Broadway hit, “Smokey Joe's Café”, will be in JAX at the fabulous Alhambra Theater and Dining.  Nominated for eight Tony® Awards, Smokey Joe's Café is a musical revue highlighting well-known rock & roll, and rhythm & blues songs made popular in the 1950's, 60's and 70's, were composed by songwriters Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller.  The original Broadway cast recording won a Grammy Award in 1996.  After a Los Angeles tryout, the revue opened on Broadway in 1995, running for 2,036 performances, making it the longest-running musical revue in Broadway history.  It also had a London run in 1996.


Showcasing 39 hit songs in a revue format (with no dialogue), “Smokey Joe's Café was conceived by Stephen Helper, Jack Viertel, and Otis Sallid.  The musical had its world premiere at the Doolittle Theatre in Los Angeles, where it ran from November 1994 to January 22, 1995.  The revue opened on Broadway on March 2, 1995 at the Virginia Theatre, and closed on January 16, 2000 after 2,036 performances.  Directed by Jerry Zaks with choreography by Joey McKneely, the nine person cast featured Ken Ard, Adrian Bailey, Brenda Braxton, Victor Trent Cook, B. J. Crosby, Pattie D'Arcy Jones, DeLee Lively, Frederick B. Owens, and Michael Park.  Throughout its run, there were special appearances by many popular singers, including: Ben E. King, Pam Tillis, Gladys Knight, Tony Orlando, Lou Rawls, Gloria Gaynor and Rick Springfield.

"People may not know the names Leiber and Stoller, but when the curtain goes up they're going to know the songs.  With hits like "Dance With Me," "Fools Fall In Love," "On Broadway," and "Stand by Me," we are expecting singing and dancing in the aisles.  This will be a light and fun summer show," — Alhambra Managing Partner, Craig Smith.

The Menu for Smokey Joe's Caf
é:
Executive Chef DeJuan Roy creates a new menu at the Alhambra for every show. This time his creativity is based on the themes he found in the scripts.  For Smokey Joe's Café, Chef Roy chose a unique menu of - First Course: a choice of watermelon and yellow tomato gazpacho; or chopped house salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, cheddar cheese, croutons and French dressing.  Second Course: a choice of ‘fruits de mer’ (Fruit of the Sea, assorted seafood) served over fettuccine Alfredo with fresh lemon broccolini; or pulled pork with pickles, baked beans, hot water cornbread; or jerk chicken with black beans, yellow rice, fried plantains, sour cream, guacamole, pico de gallo; or polenta cake with wild mushroom, heirloom tomato, sherry cream, fresh herbs, goat cheese.  The dessert course includes: choice of Hummingbird Cake with pineapple coulis, fresh whipped cream or Key Lime pie with berry compote.  (Menu may be subject to change).

Smoky Joe’s Café
DATES: August 3 – September 4, 2016

SHOW TIMES: Evening shows Tuesday through Sunday start at 8 p.m.  Doors open at 6 p.m., and dinner starts at 6:30 p.m.  Saturday Matinees begin at 1:15 p.m.  Doors open at 11 a.m. and the brunch starts at 11:15 a.m.  Sunday Matinees are at 2 p.m.  Doors open at noon and the meal service starts at 12:15 p.m.

DRESS: “Gala Night” (Friday Aug. 5, 2016) attire is “Formal/Dressy”.  All other shows could be “Business Casual” or “Sunday Best”.

TICKETS: Regular tickets priced from $35 – $62.  Ticket prices include: a plated dinner served to your table, an incredible show and prime parking.  Group sales of 20 + are available upon request.  Price does not include gratuity or orders from the bar. Order your tickets on line or by phone.

LOCATION: Alhambra Theater and Dining
       12000 Beach Blvd.
       Jacksonville, Florida 32246
        (904) 641-1212

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