Alhambra Announces 2016 Season, Plus Venue Improvements

The 49th season for the Alhambra Theatre & Dining has been so well received by its existing subscriber base, the iconic theater had to add staff to keep up with demand. Its nine-show slate received nearly a 100% renewal rate and the second wave of sales to newsletter subscribers received the highest volume in the six-year history of the new ownership group. Subscriber packages, known as Season Partnerships, as well as single-show tickets are on sale Thursday to the general public.

In addition to schedule of shows comprised of old favorites and a few new titles, Alhambra guests will experience a few physical and functional changes: physically, the Alhambra has received a new roof, an exterior and interior painting and the kitchen has been remodeled again. They have also added a state-of-the-art Point of Services system to help the dining experience run more efficiently.

"The success of the Alhambra over the last few years has allowed us to reinvest some of the capital we have saved," said Managing Partner Craig Smith. "We have and always are focused on making the Alhambra experience the best it can be. The support we've been shown by the community has allowed us to improve dramatically, and we are kind of rewarding our guests with some refurbishments. There are lot of things no one will notice or even see, but the experience will be better."

Smith continued, "Most importantly, I think we have a show schedule to rival any in the country. It is a great mix of musicals and comedies, new shows and standards, all of which were asked for our by our Season Partners."

"By the way, Partnership isn't a word I take lightly," comments Smith. "We truly view our guests, particularly those who make a season-long investment in us, as partners in this business. We wouldn't be here without them, and just like in any partnership, we listen to their suggestions, understand their needs and treasure their feedback. So when we call them Season Partners, it is with every intent to have them walk with us every step of the way along this incredible journey that is The Alhambra."

Smith also commented the Alhambra will continue its $35 Proscenium seating and its $38 Preview Night Seating the first two nights of each show. "The Alhambra has always been the best entertainment value in town," stated Smith commenting that most people tell him it's impossible to offer a great meal, a Broadway quality show and parking for as little as $35. "But, at least in a limited fashion, we manage to do it. We want to make sure that the folks who want to come to the Alhambra are able to come, even if it's just one night per year." Smith elaborated that he feels a sense of community stewardship to provide affordable theater, but also suggested that it makes good business sense. "While there really isn't a bad seat in the house, there are a few tables that do not sell as well as others. If we can sell those seats to guests who have never been here before, perhaps they come back again and want to upgrade their seating. I'm hoping to make some new fans of the Alhambra and of live theater in general.

The 2016 schedule is an eclectic mix of shows, starting with a show previously popular at The Alhambra, Honky Tonk Angels. The Tony Award winning Big River, the story of Huck Finn, features music by the legendary Roger Miller. Billed as a "Super Soul Musical," The Wiz will shake the Alhambra to its foundation with an incredible interpretation of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz that made Broadway history. The only straight comedy - not a musical - is Blithe Spirit, a Noel Coward classic that set records on Broadway and London's West End. While selected but unable to reveal the show, the Alhambra's annual summer family show will be a surprise, and followed by a "get your groove on" song-fest, Smokey Joe's Café, which won a Grammy Award and was nominated for seven Tony Awards®. The fall run will feature the musical comedy smash, Sister Act, then the story of Annie Oakley in a show Mae West made famous, Annie Get Your Gun. And, of course, the season will wrap with the Alhambra's perennially sold out Christmas run (with a yet-to-be-named title at press time).

The Complete 2016 Season Schedule:

Honky Tonk Angels January 5 - February 7

Big River February 17 - March 20

The Wiz March 23 - April 24

Blithe Spirit May 4 - June 5

Summer Surprise June 15 - July 31

Smokey Joe's Café August 3 - September 4

Sister Act September 7 - October 9

Annie Get Your Gun October 18 - November 20

Christmas at the Alhambra (TBD) November 23 - December 24

Season Partnerships range in price from its Silver level at $253 which includes six of the nine shows to its Renaissance level at $371, which includes admission to eight shows any time. All partnership levels receive a benefits package that includes Personal concierge service, a "buy-one-get-one-free bring a friend" ticket, advance notice on all added performances, a complimentary beverage and seating upgrades when available. They have added a Royalty Club upgrade for $129 that features VIP Parking, a Chef's menu tasting before the run of a show and private meet and greet events with the cast.

Tod Booth will return as Creative Director and Producer for his 31st season. Executive Chef DeJuan Roy will be return for his fifth season in the kitchen, continuing the Alhambra's plated, seated dinner service. "We've got to be doing something right here as we won our third "Best of Jacksonville" award from Jacksonville Magazine and received the Times Union's Best of Bold City Award for Best Live Theatre. We are excited about our momentum."

In 2015 The Alhambra launched its Alhambra After Dark music series, however the schedule is not yet complete. Said Smith, "Veteran Alhambra guests will notice the gap between shows and shorter runs. We had sold out nearly every ticket for each of our music shows in 2015 and we are excited to bring that back for 2016. Stay tuned for our music schedule announcement."

The Alhambra Theatre is the nation's longest continually operating professional dinner theatre and the only professional resident theatre between Atlanta and Miami. Opened in 1967, The Alhambra has hosted legends such as Tony Curtis, Claude Aiken, Sid Cesar and Cesar Romero, and, recently, Loretta Swit, Barry Williams, Jamie Farr, Sally Struthers, Joyce DeWitt, Michael Learned and Barbara Eden. The Alhambra was the place of Betty Grable's final acting role. The Alhambra is also home to former Miss America, Orange Park native Leanza Cornett who started at the Alhambra when she was 15. In November 2009, the Alhambra was purchased by Theatre Partners, LLC, headed by Jacksonville entrepreneur and Alhambra patron, Craig Smith as way to give back to Jacksonville and preserve what he believes is one of its cultural jewels.