Ed Fletcher's
   
Early Bird Dinner Theatre
200 South McMullen-Booth Road
Clearwater, Florida
33759
$29.90 +tax   Per Person

Phone for Reservations:
(727) -  446-5898
(Leave name, number)
Welcome!

    This live professional theatre and buffet dinner in Florida is easily reached from Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tampa, and Sarasota.

    It is the best dinner show value in the Tampa Bay area and Florida. You will find great dinner music, great food, great theatre, friendly atmosphere, and excellent service!

Turn on your speakers! This 60-second video comes with sound:

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25 Years! Entertaining Clearwater since 1987, we moved to the Italian American Club from Ft. Harrison Street in 2006

On this web site you will find:
 
  • Synopsis of the current play
  • Show Times; Seating
  • Buffet and Menu
  • 2012 Schedule
  • Previous Presentations
  • Early Bird Newsletters
  • EBDT Local Reviews
  • Email Mailing List
  • Directions (w/photos)
        Google Maps (Link)**
        Yahoo Maps (Link)**
        MapQuest (Link)**
  •  
  • Contact Information
  • **(All Internet Maps Links will open in a new window.)


    Ed Fletcher
    Owner/Producer

        Tickets:   Phone 446-5898 to make reservations or to check on seating for a particular date. Leave your name and phone number, and we will return your call as soon as possible. Performances are on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings of each week, plus matinees on Thursday and Saturday.
          All tickets are only $29.90+tax per person.

          So, get a table of your friends together, it's BYO so you can bring your favorite wine, and enjoy the entire package of dinner, dinner music, and show!

    Top

    Showing now...
       ...through  June 3 rd

     

    An Ed Fletcher Production  

    Separate Beds

    Written by MaryJane Cruise  

    Directed by  Robin New


    Cast: Separate Beds
    April 26 - June 3,  2012
              Two couples navigate through their relationships on a Caribbean cruise. One seems "perfect" while the other seems "stormy."

              The truth and lies of each marriage comes to the surface as they celebrate their anniversaries at sea.  Ernie and Twink attempt to put the sizzle back into their marriage while Beth and Blake attempt to save theirs.

              A heartfelt comedy that will ring true with any couple who has ever contemplated sleeping in SEPARATE BEDS!


    TIME
    Summer 2010

    PLACE
    The Royal Princess Cruise ship
    sailing in the Caribbean

    ACT ONE
    Twink & Ernie's cabin
    Scene 1: The start of the cruise.
    Scene 2: Three days later.
    Scene 3: Next day (last day of the cruise).

    ACT TWO
    Blake & Beth's cabin
    Scene 1: The start of the cruise.
    Scene 2: Three days later.
    Scene 3: Next day (last day of the cruise).

    Cast: Separate Beds
    Early Bird Dinner Theatre

    Midge Mamatas
    as
    Twink Fraser

    Gary L. Smith
    as
    Ernie Frase

    Barbara Anthony
    as
    Beth Stone

    Toby Manion
    as
    Blake Stone

    Produced by ~ Ed Fletcher Productions
    Directed by ~Robin New
    Stage Manager ~ Robin New & Kevin Bangos
    Director of Public Relations &
    Theatre Liaison ~ Susan Lyons
    Costumes ~ Barbara Anthony
    Music for show ~ Tracy Borgatti
    Set Design ~ Toby Manion & Robin New
    Artistic Director ~ Robin New
    Executive Producer ~ Ed Fletcher

    Robin New
    Director

    Cast
    Separate Beds
    Top
    Show Times

         Performances are Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings of each week, plus matinees on Thursday and Saturday. All seats are only $29.90+tax each.
    Mon
     
    Tue
     
    Wed
     
    Thursday
    Matinee
    Evening Show
    Friday
     
    Evening Show
    Saturday
    Matinee
    Evening Show
    Sunday
     
    Evening Show
    Seating at 11am for Matinees - - Seating at 4pm for Evening Shows - - Menu

           Price is "per person," whether it's one person, one table or a bus load. Our policy on complimentary tickets for groups is "one free" for every twenty (20) paid. Your bus driver is automatically our guest. In order to keep our prices affordable, we must keep our operating costs down.  Therefore, we cannot accept credit cards and we use a 24-hour telephone answering service. Be sure to leave your name and telephone number.

    Top | Menu
     
    2012 Schedule

    Gift
    Certificates

              Call Mr. Ed Fletcher at (727) 446-5898 to purchase gift certificates. (That phone is also the theatre reservation line.)
    Tickets are valid for any production during the year.

     

     
    Separate Beds
    By Maryjane Cruise
    April 26 - June 3, 2012
              Two couples navigate through their relationships on a Caribbean cruise.
              One seems "perfect" while the other seems "stormy." The truth and lies of each marriage comes to the surface as they celebrate their anniversaries at sea.  Ernie and Twink attempt to put the sizzle back into their marriage while Beth and Blake attempt to save theirs.
              A heartfelt comedy that will ring true with any couple who has ever contemplated sleeping in SEPARATE BEDS!

    Nobody's Perfect
    By Simon Williams
    June 14 - July 29, 2012
              Love is All Around is a feminist publishing house where Harriet, the owner, is running a novel competition. To avoid gender bias, Leonard Loftus is forced to submit his novel under a female pseudonym.
              So when winds the first prize under the name Lulabell Latiffa, Leonard tries frantically to keep up the charade. Domestic complications arise from his wayward daughter and his rascally old father.
              In high heels and lipstick, our hero is caught in a hilarious dilemma.


    Summer Intermission
    July 30 - September 5, 2012
    This is our short annual summer break.
    Moon Over Buffalo
    By Ken Ludwig
    September 6 - October 27, 2012
              George and Charlotte Hay are traveling actors performing in a repertory company in Buffalo. George receives a call from Frank Capra, the famous fil director who plans to see one of their shows and consider them for his new film.
              This madcap farce includes their daughter Roz, Howard (Roz's new boyfriend), Charlotte's mother, a cantankerous, hard-of-hearing but lovable old gal, and many others.
              When Howard arrives, the mother mistakes him for Frank Capra and they give him the red-carpet treatment. Meanwhile George has decided to drown himself in liquor and so the performance supposedly for Capra becomes a disaster.
              All ends well as Capra calls to say that he missed the afternoon show and will instead attend the evening one, thus allowing George and Charlotte another chance at Hollywood stardom!


     
    A Bedfull of Foreigners
    By Dave Freeman
    November 1 - December 29, 2012
              Stanley and Brenda Parker are driving about France on their vacation. They consider themselves lucky on finding a hotel room when they stop in a village near the German border on the eve of a local festival,
              But no one would want to endure this kind of luck for long!
              In less than an hour with Brenda absent, Stanley finds himself lowering an attractive, stark naked girl from his room's window. Confusion turns to chaos with the arrival of Claude Philby, the girl's husband followed by the arrival of Claude's girl friend, Simone. By the second hour, almost everybody is in the wrong bed. Festival goers dressed as nuns and monks rush in and out. Seductions and confrontations run rampant.
              When the dust settles, a weary and dazed Stanley wishes they had spent their vacation at a nice, quiet English seaside resort.

    Happy New Year 2013!  Change your calendars
               from 2012 to 2013.
              Enjoy your New Year's eve celebration, then plan to join us again in 2013.
     
    Seating

    Views of Stage (above)  and  Buffet (below)

     

    Top

     
    Catering by Banquet Masters
    in the Early Bird Newsletter
    Buffet Menu

    Full Salad Bar
    Tossed Salad
    Pasta Salad, Three Bean Salad
    Three-Potato Potato Salad
    Carrot Salad, Tomato Wedges
    Sliced Black Olives, Green Olives
    Cucumber Rings, Sliced Red Onions
    Sliced Beets, Assorted Sliced Pickles
    Italian Dressing, Ranch Dressing
    Jello
    Entrees

    Carved Top Round Roast Beef
    with Au Jus and Horseradish

    Salmon Almandine

    Chicken Piccata

    Meatballs in Marinara Sauce

     Virginia Baked Ham

    Crab Cakes
     


    Sides

    Long Grain Wild Rice

    Mashed Potatoes

    Peas and Carrots


    Assorted Rolls and Butter
    Coffee and Ice Tea
    Dessert DuJour
    Chocolate Cake

    Menu Subject to Change
    When you make your reservations, ask Ed about other beverages you can bring.

    No smoking in the dining/seating areas.
    A gratuity for the wait staff is appreciated and not included in the admission.

    Dinner music performed by
    Mark Atcher

    Click on Mark's photo to read about him in the EBDT newsletter.

     
    Music, Dinner
    and Show

    $29.90 Plus Tax

    Newsletters!  
         The Early Bird Dinner Theatre newsletters are available online in PDF format. You can read them in your browser or download them for your personal digital library. Just follow the link(s) below:
    2012
      Jan ~ Feb
    2011
    January
    February
    March
    April
    June
    July
    Aug ~ Sep
    Oct
    Nov ~ Dec
    2010
    January
    February
    March
    April ~ May
    June
    July
    August
    September
    October
    November
    December
    2009
     
    Jan ~ Feb
    March ~ Apr
    May ~ June
    July ~ Aug
    Sept ~ Oct
    November
    December
    2008
     
    March
    April ~ May
    June
    Aug ~ Sept
    Oct ~ Nov
    December
    Note: Each newsletter will open in a new window.
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  • If you have suggestions, questions, comments about the Newsletter, write to the editor at: Newsletter@EarlyBirdDinnerTheatre.com
  •         You are invited to sign up for our e-mail mailing list, which announces newsletters and other updates to the web page. Subscribers will be the first to find out when the newest newsletter is available. Scroll down to the very bottom of this page to learn how to sign up.
    [Note:  If you are already on the list, here is a direct link to access your Subscription Options.]
    Top
    Performances presented at the:
     
    Italian-American Club
    200 South McMullen-Booth Road
    Clearwater, Florida 33759

    For Reservations & Information call
    (727) 446-5898

    Getting There...
         Click on one of the links below to see your favorite map in a new window.

    MAPS

    Google      Yahoo
    MapQuest


         Starting at the corner of McMullen-Booth Road and Drew Street in Clearwater, Florida
         Go South, following the signs towards the exit to Highway 60, Clearwater/Tampa exit.
         Half-way down the exit ramp, look for the entrance to the Italian-American Club,  on the right.
     
    Here are some pictures of what you will see on your way to the theatre.

     

     
        Our policy on complimentary tickets is "one free" for every twenty (20) paid.

    Your bus driver is automatically our guest.

     

     
    Pick your favorite Internet map: Google   Yahoo   MapQuest 
    Top
    The Italian-American Club Building...

    Fresh Paint - 2010!
    Call (727) 446-5898 to make reservations for the
    Early Bird Dinner Theatre
         Kudos to the Italian-American Club website for their Early Bird Dinner Theatre web page

        Top

    Previous Presentations


    Set: What is Susan's Secret
    March 1 - April 24, 2012

    Top

    Cast: Lie, Cheat, and Genuflect
    January 5 - February 26,  2012
     

    Cast: What Is Susan's Secret
    March 1 - April 22,  2012
    Top

    Cast: Leading Ladies
    September 8 - October 30,  2011
    Cast: Don't Dress for Dinner
    April 28 - June 19, 2011
    Click for bigger picture.
    Cast: The Dixie Swim Club
    January 6 - February 27, 2011
    Click for larger picture

    Cast: The Sensuous Senator
    November 3 - December 23,  2011

    Cast: Last of the Red Hot Lovers
    July 14 - September 4,  2011
    Click for bigger picture.
    Cast: Sex Please, We're Sixty!
    March 3 - April 24, 2011
    Top

    Cast: How the Other Half Loves
    November 4 - December 26, 2010


    Cast: There's a Burglar In My Bed
    January 7 - February 28, 2010
     
    (Click for larger picture)

    Cast: The Kitchen Witches
    July 15 - September 5, 2010
    [ click for larger picture ]

    Cast: Funny Money
    April 29 - June 20, 2010

    [ click for larger picture ]
    Cast: Death by Chocolate
    March 4 - April 25, 2010
     

    Top

    Set: Anybody For Murder?
    November 5 - December 20, 2009

     

    Cast & Crew: Bermuda Avenue Triangle
    January 2 - February 22, 2009
     
     

     

    Cast: Natalie Needs a Nightie
    February 25 - April 19, 2009

     

    Cast: Private Lives
    April 23 - June 14, 2009

     

    Cast: Anybody For Murder?
    November 5 - December 20, 2009
    Top
      

    Cast: Out of Order
    January 3 - February 24, 2008

     

     
    Cast: Run For Your Wife
    February 28 - April 20, 2008

     
    Top
    An Early Bird Special Presentation:

     

    World Premier


    Never Kiss A Naughty Nanny
    November 3 - December 23, 2007

     

    (Right: Fox 13 Charley's World, archived on YouTube.com: Never Kiss a Naughty Nanny )

         This section contains a link to youtube.com, and contains a 2-1/2 minutes of a TV News special report. We hope your computer is configured so you can see the video clip. It has sound, so remember to turn on your speakers! Drop us a note and let us know what you think: Webmaster@EarlyBirdDinnerTheatre.com
    Top

    Cast: Never Kiss A Naughty Nanny
    Pictured with playwright Michael Parker (L)

     

    Cast: Steel Magnolias
    February 22 - April 14, 2007

     
    Top

    Cast: Sin, Sex, and The CIA
    November 2 - December 26, 2006
    --
    Cast: Deathtrap
    April 27 - June 18, 2006

     

    Top

    Cast: Hotbed Hotel
    September 15 - November 6, 2005

    Cast: A Bedfull of Foreigners
    January 6 - February 27, 2005

     

     
    Reservations:
    (727) 446‑5898

     

    www.EarlyBirdDinnerTheatre.com

    Executive Producer
    Ed Fletcher
    Artistic Director
    Robin New

    Director of Marketing
    Susan Lyons
    Director of Public Relations & Theatre Liaison
    Susan Lyons
    Read about Susan
    on Page 2 in this Early Bird Newsletter

     

    Top
    Reviews

    The Sensuous Senator Tampa Bay Newspapers (Online) - November 28, 2011
    Leading Ladies Tampa Bay Newspapers (Online) - October 3, 2011
    Last of the Red Hot Lovers Tampa Bay Newspapers (Online) - August 1, 2011
    Don't Dress for Dinner Tampa Bay Newspapers (Online) - May 23, 2011
    Best Dinner Theaters on Florida's Gulf Coast AssociatedContent (Yahoo!) - January 31, 2011
    The Dixie Swim Club Tampa Bay Newspapers (Online) - January 22, 2011
    How the Other Half Loves Tampa Bay Newspapers (Online) - November 22, 2010
    Lovers and Other Strangers Tampa Bay Newspapers (Online) - October 4, 2010
    Kitchen Witches
    Tampa Bay Newspapers (Online) - July 19, 2010
    Funny Money Tampa Bay Newspapers (Online) - May 10, 2010
    There's a Burglar in my Bed Tampa Bay Newspapers (Online) - January 11, 2010
    Anybody for Murder? Tampa Bay Newspapers (Online) - November 10, 2009
    Squabbles Tampa Bay Newspapers (Online) - September 7, 2009
    Private Lives Tampa Bay Newspapers (Online) - May 26, 2009
    Bermuda Avenue Triangle tickles opening night audience. St Petersburg Times - January 9, 2009
    Run For Your Wife Tampa Bay Newspapers (Online) - March 17, 2008
    Out of Order Tampa Bay Newspapers (Online) - January 19, 2008
    About.com:Tampa Bay Lee Zumpe article about Ed Fletcher and the Theatre
    Never Kiss a Naughty Nanny Fox 13 Charley's World archived, on YouTube.com
    Never Kiss a Naughty Nanny Review Tampa Bay Newspapers (Online) - December 4, 2007
    Never Kiss a Naughty Nanny Review Tampa Bay Newspapers (Online) - October 30, 2007
    Angel Street Tampa Bay Newspapers (Online) - September 5, 2007
    Pajama Tops Tampa Bay Newspapers (Online) - July 2, 2007
    Who's In Bed with the Butler Tampa Bay Newspapers (Online) - September 21, 2006
    Death Trap Tampa Bay Newspapers (Online) - May 4, 2006
    Whose Wives Are They Anyway? Tampa Bay Newspapers (Online) - Mar 16, 2006
    Crimes of the Heart Tampa Bay Newspapers (Online) - January 13, 2006

         Did you find a links to a reviews of any production at the Early Bird Dinner Theatre? Please send the address to the Webmaster.
    Epilogue
    Chris Tracey (1957-2008) St. Pete Times - June 14, 2008
    Early Bird Theatre remembers Chris Tracey Clearwater Citizen - July 9, 2008

    Top | Sign up for our mailing list:.

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    Contact us:
  • If you have suggestions/questions/comments about Public Relations,
             write to Theatre Liaison Susan.Lyons@EarlyBirdDinnerTheatre.com
  • If you have suggestions/questions/comments about the Newsletter,
             write to Newsletter@EarlyBirdDinnerTheatre.com
  • If you have questions/comments about the mailing list,
             write to ListMaster@EarlyBirdDinnerTheatre.com
  • If you have comments about the website,
             write the Webmaster@EarlyBirdDinnerTheatre.com  
  • Visit us on Facebook.com: Early Bird Dinner Theatre
  •      For all other questions/comments about the Theatre, please call Mr. Ed Fletcher at (727) 446-5898. The answering machine is available 24 hours a day.  However, Mr. Fletcher returns calls only at reasonable hours. When you call, please leave your name, phone number, and a brief summary of your question or statement.
    Call to inquire about:
    Gift Certificates  -  Upcoming performances
    Arrangements for tour buses  -  Make or change reservations
    Dinner or beverage questions  -  Auditions
    You may also write to us:
    Early Bird Dinner Theatre
    C/O Italian-American Club
    200 South McMullen Booth Road
    Clearwater, FL 33759
    Visit us on Facebook.com: Early Bird Dinner Theatre
    The YouTube video at top of our web page was written, created & edited by Jennifer Sloane.
    Copyright 2004-2012 Ed Fletcher Productions.  All rights Reserved.
    Website opened July 31st 2004
    This page updated on .. April  29th  2011

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