PROVO — Four years ago, Gavin Grooms and his wife opened Center Street Musical Theatre, a strictly musical theater with dinner options at 177 W. Center.

According to Grooms, growth charts show the venture is a hit.

"It has been an exciting last couple of years, the growth has been substantial and the production quality continues," Grooms said. "Each year we've established more than a 10-percent growth each month from the same month the year before."

Center Street Musical Theatre provides patrons with a variety of familiar and family-friendly musical theater. From "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" to "The Music Man" and "Annie Get Your Gun," patrons are given a chance to enjoy productions in musical theater with live orchestras.

"Parents know they can bring their families, and productions are very family-friendly," Grooms said. "Larger family groups are coming and utilizing the family discount pass."

This means the theater may open another night of shows.

"It is an exciting growth cycle, with a lot of positive results," Grooms said. "The stage has continued to grow, in a way unique to Center Street."

Beginning in 2008, Thursday nights will be added to each production run, plus the theater is offering a Belgian waffle/hot chocolate breakfast prior to Saturday matinees.

"We are drawing in the next generation of theatergoers," Grooms said. "Hence, why we like to do the breakfast with princesses and characters interacting with patrons."

Until recently, Center Street Musical Theatre was the only dinner theater in the county (The Grove dinner theater reopened in December).

The family-friendly atmosphere extends to other programs, including summer camps for youths. There are also private voice, ballroom dance and violin lessons offered.

Center Street is closed over the holidays for cleaning but will open the 2008 season with a reprise of the "Best of Disney" Jan 11. Other productions include "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," Feb. 22-March 22; "Pirates of Penzance," April 4-March 3; and "The Unsinkable Molly Brown," May 15-June 7.

The Grooms also own the Art City Playhouse, 254 S. Main, Springville, which is a part-time facility. It will be dark until summer productions begin.

Like Center Street Musical Theatre, the Art City Playhouse offers family-friendly productions including comedies, melodramas, concerts, three-act plays and musicals.

Call 373-4485 for more information on productions and programs at both theaters or see www.csmtc.com.

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E-mail: pugmire@desnews.com