LAKE PARK, Fla. – Opportunity’s knock prompted Randy Singer to exit the real estate business business and open the Boca Black Box theater.
Four years later opportunity rapped on the door again, this time prompting Singer to take a chance on the defunct Kelsey Theater.
“It’s not enough to be able to recognize opportunity, you have to be able to act,” Singer said.
Singer completed renovations and opened the Lake Park Black Box late in 2020.
On Dec. 4 Lynne Koplitz became the first comic to perform at the remodeled Lake Park Black Box.
One night later, veteran comic and actor Jimmy Shubert entertained.
“This is a great venue,” Shubert said. “People will love it.”
Ever the risk taker, Singer didn’t let a little thing like a pandemic throttle his vision.
Singer learned of the opportunity to purchase the Kelsey Theater in September. By Oct. 1 he’d assumed control of the venue.
He began booking acts with the idea of opening Lake Park Black Box as quickly as possible. Singer envisions the Lake Park venue hosting more musical shows – often tribute bands – than its Boca Raton counterpart, but a quick glance at the event calendar shows Chris Porter, Anthony Rodia, Andrew Dice Clay and Judy Gold scheduled to perform in the coming months.
“When this is all over we’ll be very well situation in the market for entertainment,” said Singer, acknowledging that some shows may have to be rescheduled because of Florida’s current COVID-19 spike. “After every pandemic or every catastrophe there’s always prosperity. It’s just a matter of getting to that point.”
Fifteen years ago, back when Singer was making a successful living in real estate development, he wouldn’t have believed he’d be making a living as a club owner.
When contemplating a career change, friends convinced Singer he was funny enough to try an open mic.
“I got that bug,” Singer said. “You know how it is. You get on stage and you have to do it again.”
He enjoyed the rush. The paycheck left much to be desired.
Singer started producing shows for national comics, and in August of 2016 he opened the Boca Black Box on the same Glades Rd. site where the New York Comedy Club – site of that infectious first open mic – once stood.
Singer’s formula was simple. He figured fans would be willing to spend a little more money to see comics and musical acts in an intimate setting.
Three years later Singer says the Boca Black Box had hosted the likes of Andrew Dice Clay and Robert Klein, selling more than 40,000 tickets to a 300-seat room in a 12-month span.
“We didn’t build just a room, we built a concept,” Singer said. “What we’re doing now is seeing if this concept works at another location.”
Singer likes Lake Park because it can draw from an area that stretches from Jupiter to Lake Worth. Acts can play Lake Park one night, then head south 20 miles and play Boca Raton the next night.
Since only about 10 percent of Boca Black Box ticket purchases come from the West Palm Beach area, Singer isn’t worried about his two theaters competing against each other.
“I don’t see it as a cannibalization, I see it as an addition,” Singer said.
It may not be the only addition. If the Lake Park Black Box works as planned, Singer is already looking to open another venue in southern Broward County that could cater more to a Latin audience.
“I’m not a theater person, I’m a business man that’s in the theater business,” Singer said. “I don’t think like a normal theater or comedy club owner.”
