Derby Dinner Playhouse is one of Kentuckiana’s gems. With its intimate atmosphere and the promise of dinner and a show, it has become one of the best venues for local entertainment. It’s not often that Derby Dinner hosts a concert; however, last night, they welcomed Beatles tribute band, the Return, to their stage.
The Return is made up of four young, energetic lads. Their authentic costumes, Liverpool accents, and comedy routine made me feel like I was in the Cavern Club. When it comes to sounding like the Beatles, The Return did not disappoint. I could tell they must practice endlessly to sound as legitimate as they did. The Return played two sets and changed costumes in between. Their look was more Help! era than Sgt. Pepper era, which I enjoyed. Some of the classics they played include I Want To Hold Your Hand, Can’t Buy Me Love, A Hard Day’s Night, If I Fell, Day Tripper, and Paperback Writer.
Before the show, there was a buffet of delicious southern comfort foods (like mashed potatoes and fried chicken) plus a salad bar, which was included in the ticket price. Having dinner at the venue versus going somewhere to eat beforehand was very convenient. Finding a place to eat and hoping you get finished in time is always an annoyance before a concert or play.
The only problem I saw was the stage set up. The stage at Derby Dinner is in the middle of the room, and the tables are set up in circles around it. This set up works well for dinner theater, but there were a few people without a clear view of the band last night. They seemed to be having fun anyway, so it obviously wasn’t a huge issue.
In the end, a splendid time was had by all, and I would definitely recommend catching The Return if they return to Derby Dinner Playhouse.
