Alhambra Dinner Theatre closes

[copperfiend]

Alhambra Dinner Theatre, which was one of the longest-running dinner theaters in the nation, is suspending operations.

The theater opened in 1967 and has hosted a wide variety of stars over the last four decades. For the past 25 years it has been operated by Tod Booth Productions.

http://www.jacksonville.com/entertainment/2009-08-31/story/alhambra_dinner_theatre_closes

[Cliffs_Daughter]

I read this online a while ago and thought "Damn, there's another landmark going down."

But really, given the economy and the construction zone they're facing, I'm glad they lasted as long as they did.

[copperfiend]

Their location was ultimately part of their demise. They are right next to some awful apartments. And the last time I was there (Fall of 07?), the food was pretty mediocre.

[KenFSU]

I find this one incredibly depressing. The Alhambra was one of the most unique experiences in Jacksonville. I saw some great shows there -- Beauty and the Beast and Grease come immediately to mind -- and their Christmas Carol had become a tradition for us. The food was hit or miss, but it was never terrible either.

The one thing that kept us from going more though was the seating. Unless you go in a group of four or more, you usually would be seated with strangers. I'm not the most social person in the universe, and I always found it rather uncomfortable to take my wife and be seated at a table for four with another couple. Sometimes you'd meet some nice people, but man, if you got seated with obnoxious people, it totally ruined the experience.

[copperfiend]

Ken, agree on the seating. It was especially bad if the people had been drinking alot.

[ProjectMaximus]

That's sad. Just got a mailing the other day about the symphony performing "Oklahoma" with the cast of the Alhambra Theatre, just in case anyone feels like catching them one more time..

[buckethead]

NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

[JaxBorn1962]

It is sad that Alhambra has closed its doors How many people just lost there jobs? 

[stjr]

Alhambra Dinner Theatre, a Jacksonville institution for more than 40 years, has closed. Tod Booth, owner of the theater and director of most of its shows, said it's still possible that someone else may come in and revive it.

There may be a glimmer of hope here.  An outpouring of community support could be helpful.  Otherwise, another terrible loss for Jax and the performing arts.  I'm sure many patrons, especially kids, whetted their theater appetites on the affordable, but top notch, shows at the Alhambra and migrated between it and other theater in Jax such as the FCCJ/FSCJ Artist Series.

[buckethead]

I took my daughter to see Annie recently. It was her first live musical.

Mine too. I liked it.

[Ocklawaha]

I can't say I've experienced it, but I have lived within a few miles off Hodges at JTB.

There are several reasons why I didn't go, but top on the list is that it looked like a run down topless bar in Casselberry. No, scratch that, it looked less inviting then Circus Circus or Club Juana (neither of which I'd ever step foot in).

By contrast, the theater in San Marco, or the Florida Theater, are sharp, well maintained, and I wouldn't feel like I just crawled out of a malarial swamp with general Tomoyuki Yamashita.

It really can be about image, and the lack of landscape maintenance, lack of landscape, lack of fresh paint, clean parking or drives, attractive lights and signs. Even though it appears that I have judged it wrong, the message I got from the appearance was "RUN!"

Maybe the owner can salvage or recreate the business downtown, CONNECTED to the heartbeat of the city... Tell me about it and I'll go.

OCKLAWAHA

[JeffreyS]

I have been to four shows at the Alhambra and always had fun. I would love to see dinner theater remain in Jax.

[fsu813]

location, location, location

[blizz01]

Sadly, my cohorts made an observation today that may not be far from the truth - the building and location are better suited for an adult entertainment venue...........

[Lucasjj]

I would like to see the Alhambra reopen, but some where closer to the core. I think a venue like that would be better suited under the lights of the city, rather than the side of a major road in line with strip malls.