Honestly, the "dinner theatre" concept sounds like something your grandparents did in 1978 before going to bed at 8:00 PM. But walk into Broadway Palm Fort Myers on a Tuesday night in 2026, and you’ll see why it’s still packing the house. It isn't just a relic. It’s a 450-seat machine that has figured out exactly how to mix nostalgia with high-end production.
The place has been around since 1993. That’s a long time for any Florida business to survive, let alone one that relies on a buffet and a live orchestra. Founded by the Prather family—who basically live and breathe theatre—this venue has turned into the cultural anchor of Colonial Boulevard.
Broadway Palm Fort Myers: The Real Vibe
Forget what you think you know about soggy cafeteria food.
People come for the show, but they stay for the prime rib. That’s the open secret here. While many theatres are struggling to keep the lights on, Broadway Palm serves over 170,000 guests a year.
The main stage is where the big, flashy musicals happen. Think Cats or Fiddler on the Roof. It’s professional. These aren't just local hobbyists; the Prathers hire nationally selected talent. Sometimes you’re watching a performer who was on a national tour three months ago.
What’s actually on the menu?
Most nights, it’s a massive buffet. You’ve got a salad bar that’s surprisingly fresh, a rotating selection of hot entrees, and a dessert bar that usually features some kind of cheesecake or bread pudding that’ll make you forget your diet exists.
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- Friday and Saturday: They offer a plated dinner option if you’re feeling fancy.
- The Coffee: It’s included.
- The Cocktails: Not included, but the Playbill Bar in the lobby makes a mean martini.
The service is fast. It has to be. They have to feed 400+ people and clear the tables before the curtain goes up at 7:30 PM. It’s a choreographed dance in itself.
The Off Broadway Palm: The Weird, Intimate Younger Brother
If the main stage is the blockbuster movie, the Off Broadway Palm is the indie darling. It’s a smaller, 100-seat "black box" theatre tucked away in the same building.
This is where the comedies and the slightly more "out there" musical revues happen.
If you hate being far from the stage, this is your spot. You are literally feet away from the actors. In 2026, they’ve got shows like Love, Lies, and the Lottery on the schedule. It’s goofy, it’s fast-paced, and it usually involves a lot of door-slamming and mistaken identities.
One thing people get wrong: they think they have to eat in the main room. Nope. If you’re seeing an Off Broadway show, you can eat in a separate, smaller dining room called Café Cabaret. It feels a bit more like a private club and less like a cruise ship dining hall.
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2026 Show Highlights: What to Actually See
You’ve got to pick your battles with the schedule. Not every show is for every person.
The Big Hits
Right now, the 2025-2026 season is leaning heavily into the classics. Cats is running from late February through early April 2026. Whether you love the Jellicle life or find the whole thing bizarre, you can’t deny the production value they put into the costumes and the "Memory" solo.
Earlier in the year, The Buddy Holly Story brought the house down. It’s one of those shows where the actors actually play their own instruments, which always adds a layer of "how are they doing that?" to the night.
Family Options
They also run a Children’s Theatre. These are usually matinees with a kid-friendly buffet—pizza, chicken nuggets, the works. It’s a great way to introduce a five-year-old to live performance without worrying if they’re going to get bored during a three-hour drama. After the show, the cast usually sticks around for a Q&A. It’s pretty cool to see the kids realize the "princess" is actually just a person in a wig.
Pricing and Logistics: Don’t Get Caught Unprepared
Let’s talk money. A ticket usually runs between $60 and $95, depending on the show and whether you’re doing the dinner or just the "show only" option.
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Honestly? Get the dinner. The price difference is usually about $20-$25. You can’t get a decent three-course meal in Fort Myers for that price anywhere else.
- Parking: It’s free. In Southwest Florida, that’s basically a miracle.
- Timing: For evening shows, doors open at 5:30 PM. If you show up at 7:00 PM, you’re going to be rushing through your dessert. Don’t do that.
- Dress Code: People ask this all the time. It’s "Florida Casual." You’ll see guys in Hawaiian shirts and ladies in sundresses. You don’t need a tuxedo, but maybe leave the flip-flops at the beach.
Why It Still Matters
In a world of Netflix and TikTok, sitting in a dark room with a few hundred strangers matters. Broadway Palm survived the pandemic, they survived hurricanes, and they keep growing.
It’s about the community. You might end up sitting at a table with a couple from Minnesota who are down for the winter. You’ll talk about the weather, share a laugh over the dessert bar, and then watch a world-class performance together.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check the Calendar: Look at the specific dates for Cats or Fiddler on the Roof before they sell out. The "snowbird" season (January–April) is notoriously hard to book last minute.
- Book the Off Broadway: If you’ve never been, try the smaller theatre first. It’s a lower price point and a much more relaxed environment.
- Call for Groups: If you have 20 or more people, call the box office directly. They have some of the best group rates in the state.
- Arrival Tip: Aim to get there 15 minutes before the doors open (5:15 PM for evenings). It allows you to hit the gift shop or the art gallery in the lobby without the crowd.
The Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre isn't trying to be an avant-garde experimental space. It knows what it is: a place for a good meal, a great laugh, and a professional show that makes you feel like you’ve been to 42nd Street without leaving Lee County.