Last month, I paid homage to William “Bill” Pullinsi, a renowned director and producer revered as the “godfather of dinner theater.” He passed away on May 17 at 86, surrounded by his family at his home in Dyer. The theater community will gather at Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place in Chicago on June 29 at 6 p.m. for a tribute and farewell program, followed by a reception in his honor.
The Drury Lane Martinique Dinner Theatre in Evergreen Park once stood lit with its bright pink neon glow on December 31, 2003, welcoming audiences for its final evening before closing. The iconic establishment was dismantled in 2004.
Unfortunately, 2026 saw the passing of another dinner theater legend, John R. Lazzara. He died at 76 on February 19, 2026, at his Palm Beach, Florida home. Known affectionately as “Johnny” or “Johnny Lightning,” he and his brother Ray revitalized the Drury Lane Martinique Dinner Theatre during the 1990s. Johnny was a close friend to me and my family.
Johnny was born on December 26, 1949, and raised on Chicago’s Southwest Side, later moving to Oak Lawn. Proud of his Italian heritage, he graduated from Richards High School and earned a marketing degree from Indiana University. Together with his brother Ray, Johnny entered the hospitality business by opening a pizza restaurant in Oak Lawn and launched a themed restaurant called “Annie Tiques” with innovative serving ideas, such as a chilled salad bar displayed in a 1925 Model T truck.
In 1988, the Lazzara brothers acquired the Drury Lane Martinique Dinner Theatre. Johnny took on the roles of CEO and executive producer, managing marketing and entertainment bookings. The venue was known for its musicals, concerts, and revues, first opening in 1949 as a dining spot. The stage expansion in 1958 paid tribute to London’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane.
Throughout its history, the venue saw transformations and ownership changes. Only the Drury Lane Theatre in Oak Brook Terrace, opened in 1984, remains operational, along with Marriott Theatre Lincolnshire Resort.
Johnny Lazzara adored the opulence of the Drury Lane brand, with its lavish decor, rich red carpeting, and gold-leaf accents. He introduced me and my family to legendary performers such as Debbie Reynolds, Lou Rawls, and Phyllis Diller.
In 2004, the Lazzara brothers sold the successful Drury Lane-Martinique complex, paving the way for a Walmart to open in its place by January 2005.
The final headliner at Drury Lane Martinique was accordion player Dick Contino, performing during the last “New Year’s Eve at Noon” event. Contino, known for his accordion hit “Lady of Spain,” had his career interrupted by the Korean War draft. He later faced charges of evasion and served time at McNeil Island Corrections Center.
Johnny Lazzara is survived by his family. A private ceremony was held earlier this spring for his memorial. Fond memories linger of the delectable recipes served at Drury Lane, like rich béarnaise sauce over skirt steak, shrimp cocktail, barbecue meatballs, and baked Alaska.
In summer, the “Peach Frost” dessert delighted guests, easy to prepare in large batches and served with whipped cream.
Drury Lane Martinique Peach Frost Dessert
- Servings: 8
- 6 peaches, peeled, sliced
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1 cup pink lemonade, thawed
- 1 can evaporated milk
- 3 tablespoons grenadine
- Whipped cream for garnish
Directions:
- Mix peaches with sugar and let stand for 30 minutes.
- Blend with lemonade and milk for 1 minute.
- Add grenadine; stir well.
- Freeze until edges firm.
- Beat until mushy; freeze again.
- Move to fridge 20 minutes before serving.
- Top with whipped cream and serve.
For inquiries, reach out to Philip Potempa at [email protected] or PO Box 68, San Pierre, Ind. 46374.