THEATER IN PUERTO VALLARTA

You may be surprised to hear how much live entertainment we have in our little village.  Many bars have either jazz bands, mariachis, or single acts.   Yes, many of the performers are drag queens or strippers, but we do have a lot of legitimate theater.   Several years ago the Theatro Vallarta was built.  It is still the largest (though not the most attractive) of all the performing arts centers.  It is also located way across the river (which I rarely cross) and most of the entertainment is designed for the Mexican population.  They do have live broadcasts from the Met, however.   Its future is also somewhat in doubt as the mayor just stole 6.5 million pesos from its budget.  Welcome to Mexico.

Most of the smaller venues are in the Zona Romatica where I live (and most of the expats).  There is a sort of senior community center that has live performances every week end during the season (mostly singers and musicians).  There is also The Palm, a night club with nightly entertainment.  They have singers, comics, and put on plays as well.  It was one of the first and started many of the other groups that have opened in the last few years.   I have seen Broadway plays and entertainers from the U.S. and Canada and Europe (Mexican too, of course).  My problem with the stage at The Palm is that there are too many pillars in the room and it seems I always get stuck behind one of them.

The Boutique Theater was formed by a group from the Palm and originally opened in a tiny place just around the corner from my former apartment (you will remember it as the Little House of Horrors).  After a couple of years they moved to a larger venue just a few blocks from my current address.  A friend of mine has performed in several of the plays (he was Dennis in Auntie Mame).  The performances are all quite good and entertaining, though not quite Broadway quality.  Since some of the performers are Mexican I have trouble understanding their English.  But for less than $20.00 it is a very enjoyable evening.

This year Act II (who had been staging plays at the Palm) opened its own theater. They broke away for the Boutique Theater several years ago.   Where they are getting the money, I have no idea.  I just hope they don't run out of money.  It was built just two blocks from me above the Argentine Steak House.  It is the largest venue on this side of the river and definitely the most beautiful on any side of the river.  There is a very large theater with a professional stage where I saw the opening act of "A Chorus Line".  It was certainly as good as any off Broadway production I saw in California.

Next to that theater is the Red Room.  A sort of cabaret with a stage, small tables and chairs and a horse shoe shaped bar.  There are different venues every night and sometimes two a night  It is very upscale and beautiful done.  Lorna Luft will be there in March  (not as good as Liza, or her mother "Judy", but still a class act).  A friend of mine was the original designer for the renovation of the theater.  When I first saw his plans, I was astounded at how beautiful (and expensive looking) it looked.  There is a sort of lounge or martini bar planned next to the cabaret.  The design called for an elaborate tile floor and bar and a stained glass and chandelier ceiling.  The opening has been delayed and delayed.  My friend finally quit as they have not paid him (typical Mexico) although the owners are all American.  I do hope it opens this year, but we will see.

Dantes (the largest art gallery) has opened a wine bar above the gallery.  It is a very elegant (and expensive) and has a lot of art work displayed on the walls and over looks the sculpture garden.  They also have entertainment (sometimes jazz).  Even at $5.00 for the cheapest glass of wine, it is well worth the experience.  I highly recommend it.