Dinner Theatre: A Night at the Savoy – Oak Bay Beach Hotel

Last night we spent our “Friday the 13^th” doing a time travel that took us back to 1944 in New York City’s iconic Savoy Ballroom, to celebrate the music and performers of the swing era.  This was the year of my birth, and I grew up listening to this music with my parents taking me to musicals that featured this music.  If you are younger, you owe it to yourself to check out this great show, so you can see how much fun and entertainment this generation had with its music, especially during the dark time of the Second World War.

The show features the musical sounds of Victoria’s own Heather Burns, her group “Dock Side Drive”, and radio personality Barry Bowman.  Heather created the show and Barry Bowman plays the broadcaster.  Barry ushers the audience into a live radio broadcast complete with signs telling us when we are on air and when to applaud.  The show highlights the music of the masters of that era with the swinging sounds of Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller, Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra, the Andrew Sisters, Irving Berlin, Nat King Cole and more.

Our evening started with a pre-dinner reception with wine and cheese, and we were greeted by Hotel Manager Michelle Lesage, along with other staff members.  It was like walking into a friend’s home.  The following dinner was sensational and included a Prawn Cocktail with herb greens, cocktail sauce and popcorn garnish.  The main course consisted of Herb Crusted Beef Tenderloin, with seasonal vegetables and a red wine truffle sauce.  The meat was deliciously  tender.  For dessert we were served a Deconstructed Black Forest Cake.  The meal was presented in the elegant and intimate David Foster Foundation Theatre, where everyone has a great view of the stage.  Kudos go to Executive Chef Iain Rennie for this exceptional meal.  The staffers were extremely attentive and we were asked several times if we had any dietary concerns.  The service was top notch and friendly.

Congenial President and Owner Kevin Walker MC'ed the opening night production and made everyone feel right at home.  He has a penchant for doing things well which is reflected in the new hotel and all the special services they offer.  After the theatre, we were ushered into the lobby for an Oak Bay Beach Hotel tradition, hot chocolate and sweets.  The show was fun, entertaining and full of amazing talent.  It definitely set a standard of quality for future Dinner Theatre shows.  Everyone we talked to really enjoyed the night.  We certainly urge anyone who reads this review to make an effort to attend.  This show runs every Friday and Saturday until October 26.  Every two months there is a new show.  They also offer a season ticket option for all 4 shows.  To reserve your seats phone 250.598.4556.

The  Oak Bay Beach Hotel is a resort at 1175 Beach Drive, in Victoria BC.  It is an attraction unto itself.  You can stay in luxury in the hotel, enjoy fine dining in their Dining Room, take in the Dinner Theatre, or enjoy their movie night, pop by for a morning coffee and pastry in Kate’s Café, pour back a pint in the Snug Pub (a local favourite), get a Spa Treatment or relax in the seaside Baths and maybe see an Orca whale jump right out of the water just off shore.  This can only happen at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel.

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