Jonny Paradiso Production’s founder and Artistic Director, JT Horenstein, is thrilled to launch a new class of live entertainment shows coming to The Palm Cabaret and Bar for the new 2023/24 season. With more than 25 years of high end production entertainment experience, JT is bringing some exciting shows directly to Puerto Vallarta.
Here are some of the new shows he is producing at The Palm this season.
Jaws at the White Lotus (picture below right) is a new work by comic genius Kate Pazakis and directed by Tony and Emmy Award winning Dani Davis and Presented by Jonny Paradiso productions. It is a part of the world famous UMPO series (unauthorized musical parody of…) Basically, “Jennifer Coolidge” is vacationing at the “White Lotus Puerto Vallarta”. Suddenly she collides with the plot of Spielberg’s Jaws …and hilarity ensues. Friday and Saturday nights at 6pm at the Palm.
Musical Mondays starring Evita Loca (John Michael Dias) (photo below left). Evita Loca is a Broadway star with a voice of the gods. Evita (John) was starring as Frankie Valley in the Broadway and touring companies of “Jersey Boys “and the Broadway company “Beautiful a Carole King Musical. ” He tours the world singing with the Doo-Wop Project merging with various Symphonies, Pops and orchestras. Musical Mondays is a celebration of all things Broadway. And wait till you hear all of her “Guest Stars”. At the Palm Monday nights at 6pm.
“Gayacation” (below center) is Puerto Vallarta’s #1 sketch comedy show and is an original concept and creation of JT Horenstein and his collaborators and show’s stars, Nicole Passmore and Patrick Murray from Second City Comedy in Toronto. Gaycation is a hysterically funny and utterly irreverent romp which takes us on a weeks vacation with Patrick and Nicole to Puerto Vallarta. Come join us on our Gaycation every Monday night at 930pm at the Palm. Directed by JT Horenstein and written by Nicole Passamore and Patrick Murray.
Big Red Goes P!nk Starring Meghan Murphy. (We’re all pink on the inside!) (picture below) Broadway World describes Meghan Murphy “as a towering inferno of talent.” This season Big Red explores a different shade, Pink… with a twist. Meghan’s multifaceted talents have been showcased on many different stages in the worlds of Theater, Concert & Cabaret. You may have seen her in a musical productions across the US, including NYC & Chicago, for which she is a five-time Joseph Jefferson Award nominee for her performances. Tuesday Nights at the Palm. Check for specific times.
Rock Hard starring Leslie McDonel (photo below) is a journey through all of the greatest moments of women who Rock. From Stevie to Pink and Heart to Janis, Leslie will rock your socks off with the most powerful voice you”ll ever hear. Leslie is a Broadway veteran having been on both sides of the table for Greenday’s “American Idiot”. Currently she tours as Janis Joplin in “Love Janis” and has been collecting amazing reviews globally. Rock Hard features a kick- ass live rock band, and all live vocals that really transport you to a higher level and give you electric chills. Tuesday nights at 8pm at the Palm.
And a little bit of JTs history with Puerto Vallarta…….
GAY PV: How were you introduced to PV? What do you enjoy doing here and what are your favorite businesses here?
JT: I have been coming to PV since I was 10 years old with my family. We first visited Puerto Vallarta on my actual 10th birthday, as one of the port stops on a Sitmar cruise and that is when the magical spell of Puerto Vallarta got me. I remember my family parasailing and having a delicious lunch in the jungle up the mountain. The sights the smells the food. The beach. I just loved it. Then, In my teens and college years we started vacationing in Mismaloya, water skiing, taking boats to Yelapa and Caletas. But It wasn’t until I was in my 20s and 30s that I actually experienced Vallarta as an adult gay man and really got to know Zona Romantica and Centro and all it had to offer.
In the past few years I had been visiting regularly and really fell in love with it and I decided I needed to spend more time here. I love walking down cobblestone streets and seeing people smiling at each other on the Malecon. There is a special interpersonal connection here that I don’t find anywhere else. I absolutely love all the things PV has to offer…entertainment, restaurants, jungle adventures, beach clubs, and shopping.
Here is a short list of some of my favorites to do in glorious Puerto Vallarta.
Sapphire Beach Club offers a Day pass and really great food and cocktails and is a chill spot to meet up with Sutton Lee Seymore and Evita Loca. When I want a beach and pool club with more of a party environment, you will find me in the giant pool at Mantamar beach club. I always order sushi and enjoy the pool party with the amazing DJs there.
But if you want something totally different, and totally magical, then head up the Sierra Madres about 20 mins and visit Amaria Pool Club in the middle of the jungle. Huge gorgeous heated pool and a resto/ bar that can make you anything. And if you want to stay overnight there are 7 private Casitas to rent. It is paradise found.
Back in Zona, at night on Fridays i gather with friends at Almar’s The Top Bar for Ru Paul’s drag race viewing and dinner and a possible dip in the hot tub while watching the Star Boys dancers.
My favorite Bars are La Noche for the dancers and the roof deck, Anonimo for its cool intimate setting and then to dance i go to Industry Night Club. For Local fun and friends meet at Reinas, but i always end up, usually with Meghan Murphy, late night with hotdogs at Tamale Ringwald’s Tunnel Bar. And let’s not forget Elixir bar for really high end mixology. I was very impressed.
My favorite place to see a show is The Palm Cabaret.
And here are some stand out Restaurants: Casa y garden for wine and sake and charcuterie plates. Panchos Tacos… the line is actually worth it. The tacos are delicious. My favorite sunset dinner is at Daiquiri Dick’s. I love late night tacos from the stands at Farmacia Guadalajara. For the most innovative and creative food and drinks go to Mezcal Y Sal.
Breakfast is either at Cocos Kitchen or Freddy Toucan’s. My favorite lunch is at Salud- always healthy and delicious.
Shopping highlights for me in PV: Cassandra Shaw Jewelry, Mundo De Cristal, Miguel’s Art on U.
For fun and adventure take a boat tour either on Tamale Tours or Jet. And for personal services such as IV therapy and skin care visit Thrive. For a hair cut and cocktail visit Barbers and Booze.
Gay PV: Compare the gay scene in PV to that of other gay cities you have lived in and/or performed.
JT: PV seems to be one of the biggest and best gay cities to travel or live in. I have lived and or worked in most of them and PV is by far my favorite. The community is close and non judgmental, open to new faces and friendships and to travelers too. People accept everybody for who they are and There is something and someone for EVERYBODY here. I love that part best.
Also It’s great to be a part of such a thriving entertainment community here as well. In season, there are perhaps over 50-60 different shows per week in PV. I find there is so much support given to the arts community here even more than Fire Island, Ptown, Ft Lauderdale, San Francisco and Palm Springs. It is by far the best.
Gay PV: PV has the largest cabaret scene in Mexico. What is the value of having live theatre in abundance as we have in Puerto Vallarta?
JT: If you enjoy live singing, comedy, Drag shows or tributes performed by super-talented stars from Mexico, South America, England, Montreal Broadway and Los Angeles, Puerto Vallarta is a must. In season in zona romantica you can see one, two or three different shows per night. The Palm, Act 2, Encanto, Garbos Industry, The Top bar, La Noche, Casa Y Garden, Nacho Daddy, Awaysis and Coco’s Kitchen all have something to entertain you! One night I went to three shows back to back. My face hurt from smiling and laughing so much and my hands were burning from all of the applauding. Where else can you really do this but in Puerto Vallarta?
A gay community without a cabaret scene is missing out on shared laughter and experiences, conversations that may spark friendships or romance. The scene here is essential. Think about the amount of jobs the entertainment scene has and is creating here, making the city financially strong and giving new opportunities to artists.
The Cabaret scene gives Puerto Vallarta a focus and gives locals and tourists alike something to look forward to every night. The cabaret industry certainly has helped influence and led to the growth of the LGBTQIA plus community in PV. Stars like Sutton Lee Seymore, Momma Tits, Hedda Lettuce, Miss Conception and Evita Loca are shaping the way our subculture addresses and deals with pop culture past and present. The cabaret scene is certainly a large part of what made Puerto Vallarta so special to me and my friends.
JT Horenstein has produced directed and choreographed for stage, TV, film and giant sports arenas. Favorite Credits include Dancing with the Stars, The Academy Awards, NBA half time entertainment to world tours with top iconic artists such as Bette, and Liza. Some of his favorite performing credits are The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Grease On Broadway, the musical movies Fame, Rent and The Muppet Movie and music videos for My Chemical Romance and Ricky Martin. His true passion is teaching and mentoring the next generation of talent.
On behalf of Jonny Paradiso Productions, JT sends a big thank you to The Palm Cabaret and Bar and especially Mark Rome for his kindness and generosity. Mark has brought top quality entertainment to Puerto Vallarta for 24 years so I know we are in good hands.
Join us in welcoming Jonny Paradiso Production to Puerto Vallarta.. ……Buy your show tickets at The Palm Cabaret website.
Author: Tim Wilson
Wilson is the founder of GAYPV.com and www.gaybartour.com and has been the leading LGBTQ+ travel and lifestyle authority in Puerto Vallarta since 2005. With over two decades of local expertise, Wilson specializes in being a community advocate and leader for Puerto Vallarta , and local cultural insights that only a long-term resident can provide. He has dedicated 20+ years to advocating for safe, inclusive travel in Banderas Bay, establishing GAYPV as the region's most trusted resident insider.. His work has been cited by major travel publications, and he is widely recognized as a trusted insider voice on Puerto Vallarta’s vibrant LGBTQ+ scene.
