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Drama is coming to North Beach!

Miami Motel Stories, the critically-acclaimed, immersive theater experience will be making temporary home at the Broadmoor Hotel located at 7450 Ocean Terrace starting February 8th and running until the 29th. Produced by Juggerknot Theater Company,

Miami Motel Stories, the critically-acclaimed, immersive theater experience will be making temporary home at the Broadmoor Hotel located at 7450 Ocean Terrace starting February 8th and running until the 29th. Produced by Juggerknot Theater Company, and written by Miami-bred playwright Juan C. Sanchez, the interactive show portrays real events that shaped the history of North Beach.

Juggerknot partners with HistoryMiami to research the stories behind the historical-fiction Miami Motel Stories plots—like the North Beach story that dates back to 1876. Directed by NYC-based, immersive theatre directors Tai Thompson and Ana Margineanu, the show features a 26-person-cast, made up of all Miami-based performers.

When purchasing tickets, you can choose from one of four keys: Blue, Orange, Pink and Yellow. After arriving at the Broadmoor hotel, you are taken on a journey of delights and surprises, weaving in and out of spaces and encountering scenes and actors that portray the stories of North Beach from the 1920s until now. Depending on which key you get, different actors depict varying stories. So, even if you attend more than once, the experience is unique and unexpected.

“We’re excited to share the history of an area that is under major transition,” said Natasha Bravo, Juggerknot Theater’s Community Impact Director. “By telling the stories of the immigrants, squatters, and lesser-known people that make the history of North Beach what it is, we are able to give a voice to those who might not have had one, and engage residents and non-residents in the history and importance of the neighborhood.”

Miami Motel Stories North Beach 2- 2020, Mob Guy , Actor Fernando Guillen as Big Tony. Written by Juan Carlos Sanchez, Produced by Tanya Bravo, Juggerknot Theatre Company- Photo by Pedro Portal

Since Juggerknot’s launch of Miami Motel Stories in 2017, the company has transformed dilapidated motels and unsuspecting spaces all over Miami’s developing neighborhoods. Past venues include sold-out shows in motels in Little Havana and the Mimo district, as well as pop-up shows at the Perez Art Museum Miami and the now closed Wynwood Yard.

Turning defunct motels into a performance-ready set is a process that takes patience, passion, and all-hands-on-deck. Preparations began in October of 2019 and the materials for the set, as well as costumes and props are sourced locally from The Salvation Army, DragonFly Thrift Boutique/Leap of Ladies Collaborative, and Don Bailey Flooring to name a few. 

Miami Motel Stories has in large part to thank Sandor Scher and Alex Blavatnik of Ocean Terrace Holdings for believing in the project and persisting through the permitting process. Other partners also include The City of Miami Beach, Cultural Affairs Program, and the Cultural Arts Council. 

“There is so much going on in South Beach, that anytime we have the opportunity to bring arts and culture to North Beach we are so happy to do it,” said Scher. “We are part of the renaissance of North Beach. Some years ago, people may not have believed it, but the neighborhood is making a come-back, and we’re glad to support that organic process.”

Although much of the block where the performance takes place has remained in its antique, vacant form, restaurants like Taquiza and their speakeasy theater, and the reopened bandshell have brought a new kind of night life to the area. As the trend continues to expand, North Beach is lucky to see more community-engaging events taking place. 

The water brand Perrier is a presenting partner, as is Ketel One and the Motel Stories long-time partner Cafe La Llave. Nearby restaurants and bars are also offering discounts to Miami Motel Stories ticket-holders. 15% off at Moises Bakery and Capri New Style Pizzeria and Wine Bar, and 20% off at Sand Bar & Kitchen are some of the perks, as well as special deals on rooms at the Broadmoor hotel for Valentine’s day. 

Miami Motel Stories North Beach 2- 2020, Hasidic Young Man and Bartender Actors JC Gutierrez Left- as Emilio and Kevin Veloz, as Jacob. Written by Juan Carlos Sanchez, Produced by Tanya Bravo, Juggerknot Theatre Company- Photo by Pedro Portal.

Guests can enjoy drinks before and after the show from the Motel Stories bar. Audiences can interact with the set, opening drawers and sitting on the beds, while still being guided through the narrative of specific actors. Whether you’re someone who wants to watch from the sidelines, or prefer to be up-close-and-personal, it’s a chance to experience theater from a different perspective.

Through Miami Motel Stories, residents and non-residents get to experience the history that shaped this unique neighborhood, while having much more influence over their own experience than in a typical performance setting. It is the future of storytelling, where audiences remain on their toes because no two moments are the same. 

Get your tickets before they sell out. And if you love it, come back again and again until you have experienced each version!

Performances run Thursday-Sunday from February 8-29th, with a function at 7:30 and 9:30 pm each night. The performance is ages 18+. Tickets are $69.99 each and guests get to choose between Pink, Blue, Orange or Yellow. Come with friends and experience it together, or buy separate colors and share your experiences afterwards!

Discount code for 10% off for North Beach residents during February, excluding opening night February 8th:  NoBeResidents10 

Tickets on sale now at: https://ci.ovationtix.com/35278/production/1021440

allegrapreuss@nyu.edu

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