La Comedia kicks off 50th anniversary season this week with ‘Ghost The Musical’

La Comedia Dinner Theatre has its 50th anniversary season throughout 2025. It is located on West Central Avenue in Springboro. CONTRIBUTED

La Comedia Dinner Theatre has its 50th anniversary season throughout 2025. It is located on West Central Avenue in Springboro. CONTRIBUTED

La Comedia Dinner Theatre will celebrate its 50th anniversary season in 2025 with eight new shows that will appear on its stage for the first time.

Owners Dave and Sherry Gabert said the 50th anniversary season will begin with “Ghost The Musical,” opening Jan. 10 and running through Feb. 9.

La Comedia’s 2025 mainstage season will continue with “Jersey Boys” (Feb. 13-Mar. 23), “Into the Woods” (March 27-May 4), “Children of Eden” (May 8-June 15), “Matilda” (June 26-Aug. 10), “The Play That Goes Wrong” (Aug. 14-Sept. 14), “Legally Blonde” (Sept. 18-Oct. 26), and “Scrooge! The Musical” (Nov. 1-Dec. 28).

“One of the things we’ve been most excited about is selecting our first season. So, for the 50th anniversary season, we were able to pick all of the shows, and we’re excited because all of these shows have never been performed on La Comedia’s stage before,” said Sherry Gabert.

The family took ownership of the theater from The Adkins family in Nov. of 2023 and the 2024 season of shows was already selected prior to when they took ownership.

“They had the theater for 30 years, and they wanted to keep the legacy going, because La Comedia has become such a tradition here in the Miami Valley. We wanted to continue that legacy and keep the theater alive. This year not only marks the 50th anniversary, but this is the only professional dinner theater company in Ohio, so that makes it really special,” said Dave Gabert.

Sherry Gabert added the family brought their daughters, Allison and Emily, to the theater for shows when they were younger, and she and Dave came to La Comedia for dinner and a show on date nights. She also said they continue to collect feedback from theatergoers about productions they would like to see on stage.

“We try to mix it up a little, so there’s something for everyone,” she said. “If someone doesn’t like a musical, there’s a play, and for people who are looking for family friendly, there are definitely family-friendly options. Then, we do a jukebox musical like ‘Jersey Boys’ with the music of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, which appeals to people who would appreciate the music from that time.”

The price of a ticket includes a dinner buffet with signature dishes, a theater performance, and a meet and greet with the actors after the show.

“We like the experience that is created here, and we want to continue to offer that to patrons,” Dave said.


HOW TO GO

What: La Comedia

When: “Ghost the Musical” is set for Jan. 10-Feb. 9

Where: 765 W. Central Ave., Springboro

Online/tickets: https://lacomedia.com

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