Alhambra Launches 50th Anniversary Book

"In late July of 1967, there was but one table - on an empty lot on Beach Boulevard in Jacksonville, Florida, an unlikely spot 50 years ago for what would become an icon in the Jacksonville cultural landscape and within the national theater scene. Set for two, that single table was covered by an elegant lace cloth, and adorned with matching napkins, silverware, stylish china plates and coffee cups and tall crystal glasses. In the middle of the small table stood an equally elegant candelabra holding five candles. What better way for the young gentlemen sitting there, TEd Johnson and George Ballis, to demonstrate their vision of the future. Today the Alhambra stands proudly as one of just a handful or remaining dinner theaters dotting North America." So starts the The Alhambra Theatre & Dining: 50 years of Memories, a commemorative book released this week to celebrate the Alhambra's anniversary.

On December 13 from 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM, three generations of Alhambra owners, original owner Johnson, most recent owner, Tod Booth and current owner Craig Smith will gather for a photo and to sign copies of the book. Joining them will be author, Charles Day. The signing is open to Alhambra Season Partners only for the first hour and then to the general public. The photo opportunity will take place at approximately 5:00 PM. The event will take place at The Alhambra Theatre & Dining, 12000 Beach Boulevard.

Written by Jacksonville biographer and former University of North Florida professor, Charles Day, the Alhambra book, entitled, Alhambra Theatre & Dining: 50 Years of Memories, features more than 175 pages of archival photos, biographies of actors and behind the scenes stories as the book chronicles the rise, fall and rebirth of America's longest running professional dinner theater. Mr. Day wrote the book over the course of 18 months, interviewing prior and current owners, guest stars, culinary staff, members of the press and patrons of the Alhambra. The book is handsomely designed by David Parrish as a coffee table book, and in the words of writer, Day, "David's grasp of what needed to be on display was near-flawless. This is truly a curated collection of archives, photos, history and elegance."

The book is broken into three chapters, appropriately-referred to as "Acts," each highlighting a different era in Alhambra lore. From interviews with Ballis and Johnson to current owner, Craig Smith and tales from prior owner and long-term Director Tod Booth, the Alhambra's story traces a remarkable history. Weaved among several hundered photos, newspaper clippings and historical ads, are sidebars called, "Celebrity Showcase," which call out the remarkable and seemingly endless list of talent who graced the Alhambra's stage.

The Alhambra has hosted legends such as Imogen Coca, Bob Crane, Lee Meredith, Dawn Wells, Mickey Rooney, Tony Curtis, Claude Aiken, Sid Cesar, Cesar Romero, and, recently the likes of Loretta Swit, Barry Williams, Jamie Farr, Sally Struthers, Joyce Dewitt, Michael Learned, Barbara Eden, Lisa Whelchel and Mike Farrell. The Alhambra is also home to former Miss America, Orange Park (FL) native Leanza Cornett, who started at the Alhambra when she was 15. Current owner Craig Smith often credits Swit for saving the Alhambra in 2010, and in the book tells the story in detail. A full page is dedicated to Betty Grable's 1973 role in "Born Yesterday." The show opened in early January and was scheduled for three weeks. She was so popular the show was held over for two weeks. Grable died of cancer in July of that year. Remarkably, commented at-the-time owner George Ballis, "despite her illness she never missed a show."

In his final page in the book, Mr. Day writes, "The word history suggests someone or something has come and gone. The magic of the Alhambra's history is that the memories it inspired gave it the future we now enjoy...That is why this final page is not a conclusion, but an opportunity to proclaim a theater tradition - Break a leg!"

Alhambra Theatre & Dining: 50 Years of Memories is Mr. Day's fourth history book about Northeast Florida. He also wrote about Jacksonville's request for a National Football League team, he collaborated with Gary Chartrand about the history of Acosta Sales & Marketing Co., and chronicled Ring Power Corp.'s first 50 years. A Cleveland native, Day moved to Ponte Vedra Beach in 1977 and now lives in Jacksonville with his wife, Judy. They are Alhambra Season Partners.

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