News and Press

2005-08-26

Laughter Does Matter at New Dinner Theatre

Julia Roberts once said: "Show me a person who doesn't like to laugh and I'll show you a person with a toe tag."

South Florida's living welcomed the area's newest dinner theater with the opening of Laffing Matterz last week in Fort Lauderdale.
After missing its planned April opening date due to building permitting problems, the dinner theater's cast performed its musical satire to a nearly full house at the 175-seat facility.
One song described a driver's chagrin at being stuck behind a car with Quebec license plates, while another mocked the rule of several well-known political leaders.
But it's all in fun, co-owner Rita Wells said: "If it's driving you crazy, then you might as well laugh about it."
Harry Bajusz, partner at LTP Management and VP of Laffing Matterz, warns potential audiences not to confuse the venue with a comedy club.
"We are redefining dinner theater. We offer chef-prepared food in an upscale setting. It's a satirical comedy, cabaret-style show," he said. "It's a little hard to describe. People have to come and see for themselves."
Wells and her co-owner, her husband Mark, know the dinner theater circuit well. Both performed in a satirical revue at the Crystal Palace in Aspen, Colo.
"The Crystal Palace is only open in the winter and summer, and we wanted to be able to perform year-round," she said.
The duo devised a business plan and found a partner in Dave Lageschulte, a fan of the Crystal Palace and CEO of LTP Management, a company that runs themed restaurants such as Hooters and the Ugly Tuna Saloona.
That was in 2001. Since then, the Wellses have been busy finding talent, writing material and scouting locations for the theater.

"We were looking for awhile and knew that it was all about location, location, location," she said. "The [McCrory] building was perfect. There was already a kitchen and high ceilings, which made it feel like a theater."
Additionally, the area fit LTP's criteria for a locale that is not only a tourist destination, but also one that would be able to constantly attract local clients.
"With all the high-rises going up in the area, Fort Lauderdale is the place to be," she said.
The dark blue theater is divided into three semi-circular seating levels, a stage and a private 30-person skybox.
Open Thursday through Sunday, shows cost $45 on weeknights, $49.50 on weekends. The lounge opens at 6:30 p.m., with dinner seating at 7 p.m. and an 8:30 p.m. show start. Performances last 90 minutes, including a 10-minute intermission.
In addition to its entertainment offering, the theater also wants to become known for top-quality cuisine.
"Good food, that's the main thing. We have a great menu and have received incredible feedback," Rita Wells said.
Menu options include tenderloin of beef with port wine demiglace and jumbo shrimp stuffed with crabmeat.
Although Laffing Matterz has high hopes for the success of its venture, the last theater of its kind to make an impact on the local scene flopped after 12 years.
The Burt Reynolds Dinner Theater closed in 1990 when Reynolds faced financial trouble. After a series of restarts, the building opened as a 550-seat traditional theater in February 2004 under the name Maltz Jupiter Theatre.

But even that model has faced financial difficulty.
"Last year was our first year open and I wouldn't say our revenue wasn't what we expected, but I won't say that it wasn't rough. There's no denying that," said Peter Croker, executive director of the theatre.
After changes in its management and show lineup, Croker projects revenue to run in the black by the end of this year.
As for the dinner theater concept, Croker says the concept was no longer viable for his theater, but stopped short of saying it couldn't be profitable elsewhere.
E-mail editorial assistant Marsha P. Smith at mpsmith@bizjournals.com.

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