Ready for a good laugh? Comedians Leslie Jones and Margaret Cho are coming to South Florida this month to perform in one of Miam’s oldest and most beautiful theatrical venues.
Jones is a stand-up comedian, actress, writer, singer and game show host. You’ll remember her as a cast member and writer for the NBC sketch comedy series “Saturday Night Live” from 2014 to 2019. She was uproarious in the 2016 remake of “Ghostbusters” and is currently the host of the ABC game show “Supermarket Sweep.” Her tour, Life – with special guest Lenny Marcus – is scheduled to hit the local stage May 13 at 8 p.m.
Cho is best known for her stand-up comedy sets through which she critiques social and political issues, especially regarding race and sexuality. Cho’s Life and LIVID! Tour comes to town May 18 at 8 p.m.
(Gonzalo Villota)
Wells Hall at The Parker
So, if you’ve never been to The Parker – formerly known as the Parker Playhouse – this is your chance.
What was once started as a way to bring Broadway to South Florida, The Parker remains a strong cultural hub by presenting a wide array of concerts, comedy shows and theatrical performances from a mix of well-known artists and up-and-coming performers.
Founded in 1967 by local doctor Louis W. Parker with $1 million of his own money, The Parker was one of downtown Fort Lauderdale’s first entertainment venues and fueled economic development while helping to establish the city as the first stop for blockbuster shows in the region.
The theater has seen some of the biggest names in show business grace its stage, including Katharine Hepburn, Carol Channing, Mary Martin, Angela Lansbury, James Earl Jones and Mickey Rooney. Elizabeth Taylor also made her stage debut there in 1981 in “The Little Foxes.”
As the productions that came through The Parker at 707 NE Eighth St. drew larger and larger crowds, the facility struggled to meet the increased demand for stage time. As a result, the Broward Center for the Performing Arts was built less than three miles away to house larger productions that came to town.
Because The Parker relied on Broadway to sustain its operation, the playhouse struggled financially for a number of years. In 2005, the Broward Center took over its management and attracted a greater slice of the live concert, comedy show and theatrical production pie. Through this new talent, The Parker experienced a robust revival.
That revival eventually compelled the need for a significant renovation, to the tune of $30 million. The goal of the update was to pay homage to the venue’s rich history and renew the theater as a place for the arts and culture, entertainment and educational activities to come.
(Gonzalo Villota)
The West Rotunda at The Parker
Today, the South Florida Symphony Orchestra now calls The Parker its home, the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida performs shows there and a number of local dance studios rent it out for recitals.
The extensive renovations happened in two phases over a number of years.
The first phase, considered the replacement and upgrade phase, overhauled a number of existing aspects of the theater, including sound and lighting equipment, rigging, heating, the ventilation and air conditioning system, and the electrical and mechanical systems.
The second phase consisted of making improvements and expanding, including adding a brand-new lobby and updated restrooms.
According to Shelly Bradshaw, vice president of operations for the Broward Center, the initial design of the building had no lobby space. Instead, patrons would purchase their tickets at the box office and would walk straight in to find their seats. Thanks to the expansion, a gorgeous new lobby area complete with a red carpet now greets patrons, where they can mingle before a show or wait for their friends to meet up with them.
The original wall that served as the theater’s entrance was transformed into a concession stand, donor’s lounge and VIP lounge.
During the renovation, said Bradshaw, there were a number of elements that were important to keep, including an ornamental ceiling and paintings on the inside of the rotunda that patrons walk below as they enter. Instead of replacing them, the ceiling, chandeliers and paintings done by Parker’s fourth wife were restored back to their original splendor.
She noted that as you walk under one of the venue’s grand chandeliers, it has a perfect echo.
“Dr. Parker built this hall to tune your ears as you walk into the auditorium. He understood how you heard audio,” Bradshaw said.
Ultimately, the retooled theater is precisely what it has always been, and what it is meant to be.
“What was important was we didn’t lose what The Parker felt like,” said Bradshaw. “We were really true to [its] heritage.”
To purchase tickets for Jones or Cho, see a full listing of upcoming events or learn more about the space, visit ParkerPlayhouse.com.