BRADENTON BEACH – Visitors come from all over the world to the white sand beaches of Anna Maria Island, and enjoy the Island’s many amenities. I was recently invited to visit Bradenton Beach to take a ride on one of the area’s most unique attractions, for an evening of laughs aboard the Anna Maria Princess Sunset Comedy Cruise. This trip proved to be simultaneously hilarious, as well as relaxing.
The Anna Maria Princess is the only authentic paddlewheel boat sailing the waters of AMI and Longboat Key. With no supplemental form of propulsion, the boat’s two large paddlewheels offer guests a true riverboat experience, reminiscent of a trip along the Mississippi.
“This 2002 Skipper Liner was purchased in Pickwick, Tennessee. It took us 22 days to get it down here to Bradenton Beach,” said Lexi Deleon, the Princess’s First Mate, and Sun “Readers’ Choice” award-winning bartender. Deleon serves up cocktails from a bar situated in the rear of the lower level of the boat, with a large glass window looking out to the stern, where guests can watch the dual paddle wheels churn up the water.
“Make sure you check out the view from the window behind the bar,” said Mike Bazzy, owner of Bradenton Beach Marina, who invited me to the cruise, which sets sail from the Marina and travels south along the Intracoastal Waterway through Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key, returning north along the same route.
The evening I attended, the Comedy Cruise featured three comedians as well as Dick Gordon, who serves as the resident emcee. Guests begin boarding at 5 p.m., and are free to enjoy a cocktail and mingle before the Princess leaves the dock at 6 p.m. The boat has two levels, with the lower level being indoors with ample windows to enjoy the spectacular views, as well as air conditioning and plenty of seating. The comedy show takes place on the upper level, which is open-air, but covered to protect guests from the elements.
First Mate Deleon began the evening by welcoming guests, and posing the question: “Where does a boat go when it gets sick? A dock.” Deleon then introduced Dick Gordon who serves as emcee for the shows. As a former stand-up comic, I know how difficult it can be for the emcee to get the crowd warmed up, but he did an excellent job, and was certainly up to the task.
As each comedian took the stage, the crowd was attentive, and really looked to be enjoying themselves. It would seem the beautiful mangroves, dolphins jumping out of the water, and other sights would prove distracting, but the talented comics did a great job of working these things into their acts. Emcee, Gordon would often say “Look everybody, a manatee!” and then point out there was in fact, no manatee. Passing boats blow their horns and wave throughout the performance, at which time passengers and comics on the Princess would wave back. This certainly wasn’t like any other comedy club I had ever been in.
“I love it. It’s unique, and the staff does a great job,” said headlining comedian Michael Murillo. It’s not unusual for a venue to have a comedy show, but not keep the focus on the show. Whether it be a distracting television playing a sporting event at the bar, or another event happening within earshot, it can really take the attention away from the performer, something Murillo and I have both experienced many times. This isn’t the case on the Princess. They do a great job arranging the seating and eliminating distractions, which enhances the comedy experience.
Feature comedian Vien Phommachanh (who goes by Vien, because apparently nobody can pronounce his last name) echoed the sentiment that the Princess is not only unique, but an excellent venue in general. Vien is a local ear, nose and throat doctor who caught the comedy bug a few years ago.
“There really aren’t many circumstances where I can work comedy into my everyday life as a doctor; it’s a profession where you have to be serious. However, I can work my job as a doctor into my comedy quite easily,” said Vien. South Florida has a lot of comedic talent, including Nathan Gelardi, the opening act the evening I attended. Originally from Detroit, Gelardi moved to the area a few years ago, and finds it to be great place to pursue a career in comedy.
“I was booked to do a show on the Princess more than a year ago, but it never happened because everything closed due to COVID,” said Gelardi, who was pleased to get the call that things were getting back to normal, and he would be performing on the Princess. People from all walks of life, including comedians and paddleboat captains, have been affected by this pandemic. Everyone I spoke with was very happy that something like attending a comedy show was now, once again, a possibility.
“I think we will no longer take things like getting my hair cut, or a sunset comedy cruise for granted. The pandemic has made me really appreciate things now that I’ve gone without any form of live entertainment for so long,” said Walter Sterling, who attended the show. Everyone I spoke to appeared grateful that getting out and enjoying a show was even an option after the events of the past year. The fact the show was enjoyable, and the staff was so accommodating seemed to be the icing on the cake.
“I was worried the water would be choppy,” said Beth Scammon, who was attending with eight of her friends and family, celebrating their friend Mari’s 60th birthday. “I love the fact that it was smooth and the staff and crew are amazing. Knowing how accommodating this boat is, I can bring my parents for a future show. They are older, and I was worried it might be too much for them. Certainly not the case.” The ladies even had custom pink shirts made for the event, which the comedians had a good time with.
With a seating capacity of 80, it is recommended you get your tickets in advance. The Sunset Comedy Cruise often sells out. For more information, or to get tickets, visit the website or call 941-778-2288. There is also plenty of free parking.
It should also be noted that this is not an “R” rated show. The crew of the Princess prefers to keep the subject matter a bit less racy in nature than you may experience at a traditional club. Dick Gordon invited this reporter to return to the Princess and tell a few jokes. It’s been a while, but I fully intend to take him up on his offer, and will take the stage in the coming weeks. I look forward to getting back on this beautiful boat.
