It wasn’t easy finding a silver living during COVID-19, but Pompano Beach’s leaders did.
They used that time to plan an ambitious rebranding of the city as an international destination with a first-class arts and culture scene. Soon they hired key employees with performing arts and local government experience. One of the fruits of this labor is a new resident theater troupe. In October, the Cultural Affairs Department of Pompano Beach will introduce the Pompano Players. The company’s six-show season home will be the Pompano Beach Cultural Center.
The season opens with Delia Ephron’s play, “Love, Loss and What I Wore,” opening on Oct. 11, then the musical and musical revues “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change,” opening on Nov. 8, “Jerry’s Girls,” opening on Jan. 10, “Respect: A Musical Journey of Women” opening on March 28, “And The World Goes ‘Round,” opening on April 25, and finally, closing out the season, “I Do! I Do!” opens on May 23. Eight performances are scheduled for each production.
The director of the Pompano Players, Jeremy Quinn, says, “City government has a lot on its plate all the time. For it to act on this shows how important the Pompano Players is going to be for the renaissance to transform arts and culture in Pompano Beach. The city recognizes what we’ll bring, and it is gratifying.”
“We focus on casting local people first. There is a big theatrical community in South Florida, who have been chomping at the bit to be used. They are enormously talented,” says Quinn. “I grabbed the brass ring. To help launch a very important inaugural season is quite a compliment, really. The city is super excited to kick it off and has put everything it has got behind this. It’s amazing to feel their energy, support and encouragement.”
The city is partnering with Kevin Barrett, founder and owner of the 10-year-old, for-profit, Arts Center Management (ACM). Barrett, with his company ACM, is the producer of all six shows this season. He also produces Broadway at the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center. Barrett notes that the Pompano Players will handily compete with other Broward County theaters presenting similar fare. “Pompano has a nice venue with free parking out front. It’s an enjoyable experience at a great price point,” he says.
All shows will take place at The Pompano Beach Cultural Center, 50 Atlantic Blvd., tickets range from $45-$65; subscriptions for three performances for $99 and six for $199. For more information, call 954-545-7800 or go to pompanobeachculturalcenter.com/
This story was produced by Broward Arts Journalism Alliance (BAJA), an independent journalism program of the Broward County Cultural Division. Visit ArtsCalendar.com for more stories about the arts in South Florida.
