Out on Beach Blvd., Jacksonville's Alhambra dinner theater still entertaining after 55 years

Matt Soergel, Florida Times-Union
·2 min read
In June 1988, Director Tod Booth of the Alhambra Dinner Theatre leans over the piano as a group of girls hit the high note in the song "It's the Hard Knock Life" from "Annie." More than 120 girls tried out for the title role.
In June 1988, Director Tod Booth of the Alhambra Dinner Theatre leans over the piano as a group of girls hit the high note in the song "It's the Hard Knock Life" from "Annie." More than 120 girls tried out for the title role.
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The Alhambra Dinner Theatre opened in 1967 in the heyday of dinner theaters in America. And though that heyday is long gone, the Alhambra, now known as Alhambra Theatre & Dining, carries on, still drawing people to its stage shows — and dinner.

It's been going nonstop, but for a coronavirus break in 2020 and a three-month gap in 2009 after it closed before new investors, led by local Craig Smith, stepped in to buy it. That's a remarkable legacy, really, for the theater out on Beach Boulevard.

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In 1970 Lyn Howard and Jack Heller, stars of the Alhambra's production of "The Owl and the Pussycat," visit the Navy hospital in Jacksonville to entertain more than 100 patients there, including many who were wounded in Vietnam.
In 1970 Lyn Howard and Jack Heller, stars of the Alhambra's production of "The Owl and the Pussycat," visit the Navy hospital in Jacksonville to entertain more than 100 patients there, including many who were wounded in Vietnam.

It's hosted a big number of celebrities over the years (a partial list is below), including in 1973 Betty Grable's last stage appearance before her death.

But its lifeblood has been the talented singing and dancing and emoting locals who have populated its stage for 55 years, along with traveling troupes of performers. Not to mention the generations of locals who've been drawn there to watch them.

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In 1988 Birdie M. Hale and Clarke Solanis portray Joe and Queenie in "Show Boat" at the Alhambra Dinner Theatre.
In 1988 Birdie M. Hale and Clarke Solanis portray Joe and Queenie in "Show Boat" at the Alhambra Dinner Theatre.

But, back to some of those celebrities, from A-Z: Claude Akins, Don Ameche, Morey Amsterdam, Dana Andrews, Carroll Baker, Gene Barry, Joey Bishop, John Carradine, Keith Carradine, Cyd Charisse, Imogene Coca, Leanza Cornett, Bob Crane, Broderick Crawford, Nancy Culp, Robert Culp, Sandra Dee, Sandy Dennis, Bob Denver, Barbara Eden, Richard Egan ...

In 2008 Alhambra dancers rehearse for a production of "West Side Story," which they performed with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra.
In 2008 Alhambra dancers rehearse for a production of "West Side Story," which they performed with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra.

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In 1998 David Holloway plays Tom of Warwick alongside Tod Booth as King Arthur in the Alhambra's production of "Camelot."
In 1998 David Holloway plays Tom of Warwick alongside Tod Booth as King Arthur in the Alhambra's production of "Camelot."
In this 1988 Alhambra production of "Little Shop of Horrors," Glen Rosenbue and Ellen Zaches star along with Audrey II, the giant people-eating plant.
In this 1988 Alhambra production of "Little Shop of Horrors," Glen Rosenbue and Ellen Zaches star along with Audrey II, the giant people-eating plant.

Morgan Fairchild, Fanny Flagg, Fabian Forte, Betty Grable, Gale Gordon, Frank Gorshin, George Hamilton, Tab Hunter, Arte Johnson, Jack Kelly, Dorothy Lamour, Marjorie Lord, Meredith MacRae, Vera Miles, Martin Milner, Sal Mineo, Robert Morse, Hugh O'Brian ...

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Martha Raye, Esther Rolle, Cesar Romero, Mickey Rooney, Jay Thomas, Forrest Tucker, Mamie Van Doren, Vivian Vance, Lyle Waggoner, Ray Walston, Dawn Wells, Cindy Williams, Gig Young and Pia Zadora.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville's Alhambra dinner theater still drawing Florida crowds