Contact:
2008
Patricia Rettig
317.876.0513
media@beefandboards.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Celebrates 35 years of entertainment!
INDIANAPOLIS – The year 1973 was one for landmarks. The
Sears Tower was completed in Chicago. The World Trade Center
opened in New York City.
And in Indianapolis, the curtain went up for a local dinner
theatre called “Beef & Boards.” Built near the Pyramids on the
northwest side of Indy, Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre was the only
other structure in College Park. Even the I-465 beltway had not
been completely constructed. But already the theatre was gaining
attention.
The headline in the arts section of the March 2, 1973
edition of the Indianapolis Star read: “Beef ‘n’ Boards is fun
place.” The story went on to say that “The sparkling new Beef ‘n’
Boards Dinner Theatre at College Park … served notice that it
will be a formidable contender among the city’s fun places.”
Other articles called it a “smashing facility” that is “perched
on a gently rising slope in College Park.”
And while some things have changed since the first Beef &
Boards patrons pulled up a seat at a table and enjoyed a
bountiful meal and entertaining show, the most fundamental
priorities of the theatre have been constant – great service and
a spectacular experience of dining and entertainment.
“The idea is for people to come to our theatre and have an
enjoyable, hassle-free, entertaining evening,” Douglas E. Stark,
owner and artistic director, explained.
Beef & Boards was one of five dinner theatres built from a
chain designed by J. Scott Talbott, a Louisville contractor, with
the other locations in Kentucky and Ohio. The name simply stemmed
from what was offered: the beef served and the boards – or stage
– for performances.
Dozens of stars graced the stage in the local theatre’s
early years, including Mamie Vandoren in “How To Succeed in
Business Without Really Trying” (1976), Don Ameche in “Never Get
Smart With An Angel” (1977), Ann Miller in “Cactus Flower,” Myrna
Loy in “Relatively Speaking” and Adam West in “Hot Shot” (all in
1978), Jerry Mathers in “So Long Stanley” (1979), Cesar Romero in
“A Dash Of Spirits” and Tab Hunter in “Chapter 2” (both in 1980).
Some seasons had as many as 11 productions – nearly all of
them with a guest star.
While this was common practice at the time, it also proved
devastating for many dinner theatres across the country. Fresh
ideas were needed. In November of 1980, Stark and Robert Zehr
purchased Beef & Boards along with two of Talbott’s other
theatres. Those were later sold so they could focus their efforts
on the Indianapolis location.
Stark and Zehr had collaborated on projects before. In
fact, their partnership dated back to their college days at Ball
State University, where they worked together in several student
productions.
9301 North Michigan Road, Indianapolis, Indiana 46268
phone: 317.872.9664
317.876.0510
web: wwwbeefandboards.com
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With the new ownership came a new format at Beef & Boards –
featuring Broadway shows – with eight shows scheduled per season.
A year later, the theatre hired its first chef, and catered meals
were discontinued.
Stark and Zehr also added a variety of concerts. In 1982,
Tina Turner performed at Beef & Boards, just two years shy of her
comeback album, Private Dancer.
The 1980s was definitely the decade of concerts at Beef &
Boards Dinner Theatre. In 1986, concert revenues accounted for 25
to 28 percent of all tickets sold.
Among the stars that performed were: B.B. King, The
Smothers Brothers, Waylon Flowers & Madam, Ricky Nelson, Jan &
Dean, Pearl Bailey, Carol Channing, Ray Charles, Rosemary
Clooney, Sid Caesar, Chubby Checker, Mickey Gilley, Tony Bennett,
Phyllis Diller Helen Reddy, Sha Na Na, Bobby Vinton, Frankie
Valli, The Temptations, Three Dog Night, Gladys Knight and the
Pips, Donny and Marie Osmond, The Righteous Brothers, Paul Revere
and the Raiders, and Lovin’ Spoonful, just to name a few!
Billie Michener, who has served countless patrons at Beef &
Boards in her 27 years at the theatre, said these big name stars
“helped to establish Beef & Boards as a provider of quality
entertainment.”
That reputation was known not just in this area, but across
the country. Eddie Curry, who is now Beef & Boards’ casting
director and producer, was working in Galveston, Texas, in 1989
as a performer at an outdoor musical theatre.
“I knew it was one of the most reputable Equity regional
theatres in the country,” he said. “At any audition I went to,
Beef & Boards was always the theatre you were hoping to impress
the most. I knew a couple of actor friends who had worked at Beef
& Boards before, so I was very aware of how fair and nice the
theatre was to work for.”
By 1984, one million customers had taken in a show at Beef
& Boards. Seven years later, that number doubled. Then, in 1992,
Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre unveiled a major renovation. Box
seats – elevated private tables for two – were added. The lobby
was redecorated and new carpeting installed.
The original annual holiday show debuted in 1994, with Live
Theatre For Kids productions offered for the first time the
following year.
“Beef & Boards is often a family’s first introduction to
live theatre, either through our Pyramid Players live theatre for
children, or by the quality comedy and musical theatre
productions on our main stage,” Curry pointed out. “While for
others, Beef & Boards is an old friend, providing consistent live
entertainment year after year.”
Some of the more significant moments in the theatre’s
history, Michener believes, included the 1983 hiring of Dick
Laughlin, longtime musical director at Beef & Boards “whose
talent was incredible” as well as “moving the orchestra pit from
the floor to the loft, which allowed for so many more stage and
performance options.”
Sally Ashley, office manager who has worked at Beef &
Boards for nearly 30 years, and Michener agree on another
significant change: adopting a no-smoking policy.
In 1997, attendance totaled three million. The Intermission
Gift Shop – which opened in 1990 – expanded, nearly doubling in
size.
Following the 25th Anniversary Season in 1998, Stark became
the sole owner of the theatre, buying out Robert Zehr.
Beef & Boards presented Cats in 2004, offering the first
regional Indiana production of this hit show. Attendance at the
theatre hit 4 million that year.
“We always try to look at what works and what doesn’t
work,” Stark said. “We’re always looking to make improvements and
add something new.”
In 2006, The Producer’s Table, a private suite for up to
six that is located above the box seats was created. It offers a
bird’s-eye view of the stage and includes its own sound system,
server and private buffet.
“The theatre continues to be successful after so long
because of the focus on providing each guest with an experience
that makes them want to return,” Michener said. “It is a theatre
9301 North Michigan Road, Indianapolis, Indiana 46268
phone: 317.872.9664
317.876.0510
web: wwwbeefandboards.com
fax:
of team players all working together to achieve that goal.”
“The purchase of the ticket, the appearance of the theatre,
lobby and facilities, the greeting at the hostess station, the
attention of the server, the quality of the meal, the lighting
and sound, the orchestra and the stage performance – each of
these plays a key role in the success of the theatre,” Michener
added. “Beef & Boards recognizes that if we miss on any one of
these elements, then the entire experience can be affected.”
She pointed out that “Beef & Boards is the only place in
the city where you can have dinner and drinks and see a live
performance by professional actors.”
“We consistently deliver what our audiences expect of us,”
agreed Ashley. She stated that a dedicated and experienced
management staff deserves a great deal of the credit.
Curry points straight to the top.
“Every success story comes from the top down,” he noted.
“Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre continues its success because of
one man, Douglas E. Stark. Beef & Boards is a brand that Stark
has honed to near perfection over the years.”
And after 35 years, it’s a landmark for Indianapolis – in
many ways.
“Beef & Boards contributes to the city of Indianapolis
quality live entertainment in a safe and comfortable setting,”
Curry remarked.
It’s quality entertainment that appeals not only to local
patrons, but also to theatre-goers from across Indiana and
beyond.
“Muncie, Anderson, Logansport – you’d be surprised how many
people we get from Danville, Illinois,” Stark said.
“We hope that they’ll keep coming back for more.”
Curry noted that the theatre also contributes to the
artistic community. “Not mentioning the charitable contributions
Beef & Boards has made to various local arts groups, we provide
an opportunity to local performers, both union and non-union,
several weeks of paid employment,” he said. “This keeps quality
‘home grown’ talent in our city, and that contributes to the
overall viability of the local artistic community.
“Above all, Beef & Boards serves as a leader in the local
arts community, with many other organizations, to ensure that
Indianapolis remains on course to be known for its quality arts
and entertainment.”
Indeed, as the theatre marks its 35th Anniversary in 2008,
it serves notice once again that it will continue to offer “The
Best Night Out In Indy.” The 2008 season offers traditional
family favorites, such as “Peter Pan,” “The Sound of Music,”
“Show Boat” and “West Side Story.” But there’s also new shows to
the Beef & Boards stage, including the British farce “Run For
Your Wife,” and “Smoke on the Mountain: Homecoming,” a sequel to
the 2007 season smash hit, along with the first independentlyproduced version of “The Producers” in Indiana.
There are still concerts, although they’ve been reduced as
larger venues have become available in the area. Still, Beef &
Boards is the perfect, intimate atmosphere to enjoy the annual
visits by the Glenn Miller Orchestra, the Van-Dells, the Wright
Brothers and “1964: The Tribute,” a Beatles tribute band.
The Pyramid Players will present “Charlotte’s Web” and
“Snow White” in 2008, introducing the DVD generation of
youngsters to the excitement of live theatre productions.
So be a part of the celebration in 2008 – Beef & Boards’ 35
years of food and fun for everyone! For show schedules and more
information, visit www.beefandboards.com.
9301 North Michigan Road, Indianapolis, Indiana 46268
phone: 317.872.9664
317.876.0510
web: wwwbeefandboards.com
fax: