ENTERTAINMENT
“Any rejuvenation of a downtown
has to include something to do with the
arts,” said Bryan Long, owner of The
Yellowtail Grille on North Second Street.
“You have to have something to build
around. And it’s been a phenomenal
boost to my business.”
“The theater’s been wonderful for us,”
said Barbara Wilkins, owner of the cruise
wear and resort wear shop called The
Manatee Zone on Orange Avenue. “We
stay open for every show, and we’ve had
as many as 40 people come into the store
in the hour before the show.”
She remembered “one gentleman who
went out to dinner and spilled something
26
on his shirt, and had to come in
here to buy a new shirt to wear to the
show.”
Wilkes recently returned from a booking
conference in New York with an armload
of shows under consideration for
next season. They include Neil Sedaka,
B.B. King, The Beach Boys, 4 Celtic
Women, Jesus Christ Superstar with Ted
Neeley, Tap Dogs (Australia’s version
of “Stomp”), the musical 1776, Chicago,
and The Wedding Singer.
“We’re expecting a great season next
year,” he said.
PHOTO BY GREGORY ENNS
The lighted marquee at night is a beacon for theater-goers arriving
with anticipation for the evening’s show.
PHOTO BY ROB DOWNEY
The 1,200-seat Sunrise Theatre, built in 1923, cost $13 million to restore to its former glory. It reopened in January
2006 with the red and gold curtain going up on a Dionne Warwick concert. The theater has an orchestra pit, which
can accommodate additional seating for patrons when not in use.
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