J on Putzke’s Theatre-Go-Round Dinner Theatre has made the rounds of venues over time, beginning 11 years ago at Coppertops at the Best Western on SR 60 in Vero Beach. In all, there have been 38 productions spread out over a dozen more venues. In true show business form, three of the four professional company members have stuck with Putzke through it all, and the fourth has been in the group four years.

Putzke said the theme for productions is based on availability of appropriate songs. Then they're assigned to the vocalists best suited for the content and keys. “Then the story line is written and finally the show is put into rehearsals … and it all culminates at the final rehearsal before the opening performance.”

The latest setting for Theatre-Go-Round is a prize location, the Costa d’Este Beach Resort on Ocean Drive, Vero Beach, but getting there wasn’t a completely smooth road. Putzke said, “When we were given 20 days’ notice that the Quilted Giraffe was closing, we began looking for our next location.” With negotiations begun with Costa d’Este, TGR took up temporary residency in the 17th Street Plaza for a few months and finally a deal was struck. “We found it to be the mutually beneficial location for the both of us and a partnership was formed.”

Theatre in one form or another has been Putzke’s life for more than 50 years, from Chicago to Kentucky to West Virginia before Vero Beach, where he is also president of Vero Beach Theatre Guild. Finding himself and his career where they are now isn’t a complete surprise to the entrepreneur. Along the way there were some paths not followed but for the most part, he says, “I’m as close to where I had hoped to be when I chose theatre as my career early on in my life.”

The current Theatre-Go-Round show at Costa d’Este Beach Resort is True Colors of the ‘80s, Feb. 24 and March 3, 10 and 17. Dinner service begins at 4 p.m. The $65 ticket includes dinner, the show, tax and gratuity.