At the intersection of Broadway glamour and Arizona grit stands an unexpected cultural powerhouse: the Arizona Broadway Theatre (ABT). Tucked in Peoria’s entertainment district, it’s become a beacon for Broadway-quality productions in the heart of the desert. But behind the dazzling lights and sold-out performances is a duo whose passion and perseverance transformed a bold dream into a regional institution; Kiel and Cassandra Klaphake, the husband-and-wife team driving Arizona’s most ambitious musical theatre house.
Their story isn’t just about producing great musicals—it’s about building a sustainable creative enterprise, nurturing talent, and reinventing what regional theater can mean in the 21st century.
A Vision Born from Love and Art
The Klaphakes launched ABT in 2005 with a unique proposition: bring professional-level musical theatre to a suburban audience—and serve dinner, too. It sounded risky at the time. Dinner theatres were often dismissed as dated novelties, and few believed high-quality theatre could thrive outside of traditional cultural hubs like New York or Chicago.
But with a shared background in performance and production, and a deep belief in the power of live theatre, Kiel and Cassandra proved the skeptics wrong. ABT quickly earned a loyal fanbase and critical recognition for its polished productions and immersive experience.
Running a Theatre Like a Business—and a Mission
While Cassandra brings an artistic eye and creative leadership to casting and directing, Kiel operates like a CEO—overseeing business operations, fundraising, marketing, and strategic growth. Together, their dynamic has not only helped ABT survive economic downturns and a global pandemic, but positioned it as a model for sustainable arts entrepreneurship.
“It’s a constant balancing act—honoring the creative side while keeping the lights on,” says Cassandra. “But that’s the magic of it.”
ABT now stages seven to eight full productions per season, operates year-round, and has a dedicated cast of local and national performers. And unlike many regional theaters that rent shows or depend on touring acts, ABT builds each production in-house—from set design to costumes.
Cultivating Community and Culture
ABT’s impact extends beyond its 470-seat venue. The theatre runs an award-winning ABT Academy, where young performers train in acting, music, and dance. It also collaborates with local schools, hosts educational workshops, and brings senior citizens and underserved audiences into its fold through outreach programs.
As Cassandra puts it, “We’re not just putting on shows—we’re shaping the next generation of artists and audiences.”
That community connection is key to ABT’s long-term success. Patrons don’t just come for a show—they come to feel like part of something larger. Many return multiple times a season, often with friends in tow, creating a ripple effect of cultural enthusiasm that touches every corner of the Peoria region.
Enduring Through Adversity
Like all live entertainment venues, ABT faced existential challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Performances stopped. Revenue plummeted. But the Klaphakes adapted quickly. They launched digital programming, cut costs, and leaned on their base of loyal donors and patrons to weather the storm.
Their resilience paid off. Since reopening, the theatre has seen a robust return in ticket sales and a renewed appreciation for live performance.
“We’ve always seen ABT as more than a theatre,” says Kiel. “It’s a gathering place, a place of joy—and that’s something people needed more than ever.”
Looking Ahead
Today, ABT stands as one of the few professional musical theatres of its kind in the U.S. It’s a venue that could easily hold its own on the Las Vegas Strip or in downtown Chicago—but instead, it thrives in Peoria, proof that excellence in the arts doesn’t require a big-city zip code.
What they’ve created isn’t just a theatre—it’s a blueprint for how visionary leadership, a strong business model, and genuine community engagement can turn a regional venue into a national success story.
And while the lights will dim after each curtain call, the legacy of ABT—and the couple who built it—continues to shine brighter with every act.