Lastlaughfordowntowndinnertheatre?

manager, AJ Thompson, confirmed to the Tri-City News that the theatre “unexpectedly closed” due to a “business dispute”

DIANE STRANDBERG dstrandberg@tricitynews.com

Is it the last laugh for the Giggle Dam Dinner Theatre in Port Coquitlam?

Not if Mark Friebe can help it

In an interview last month, the long-time entertainer said he was disappointed to shut Giggle Dam down unexpectedly on Feb 10 due to business issues

But he remains hopeful the popular musical comedy show and dinner theatre can be resurrected somewhere else

“I just love what I do I love the Giggle Dam,” said Friebe

Friebe started the business 21 years ago in the former night club at 2616 Shaughnessy St , with his then-wife, Sheila Sharma

They had been doing the music tribute impersonation circuit at clubs and golf courses and saw the building was for lease

Friebe said he learned the ropes from former Maz and Me's owner Marilyn Gerring, known as “Maz,” who taught him the value of performing to the audience not over their heads

He said he leaves numerous memories behind with the theatre's closure, including hilarious moments with his colleagues and members of the audience

Among his favourite shows is a tribute to Monty

Python

“Instead of ‘Spamalot’ it was called ‘Damalot,’” he jokes

Friebe said the women in the show were great singers and the men “pulled focus,” i e , they horsed around

“I think the magic also is that these people that have acted completely crazy for an hour can turn into a show band that’s incredibly talented, with cover tunes that are worth recording”

Friebe had to cancel performances of Giggle Dam’s Back to the Eighties show, which was supposed to end April 9; customers who booked shows are encouraged to call their credit card provider for a charge back as the staff can't get into the building to do a refund

Giggle Dam's closure follows some challenging years, including a COVID-19 shut down and a water problem last summer that also closed the theatre for several months

Friebe said he's still waiting for an insurance settlement for some of the repairs

Meanwhile, his business

Still, efforts are underway to find a new location with a kitchen that would allow the Giggle Dam Dinner Theatre to re-open

On social media, customers expressed sorrow at the theatre's closure

“Hope it's only a temporary situation so y’all can get back to being the funniest group of talented entertainers on the mainland,” commented one poster

According to BC Assessment, the building where Giggle Dam was located was last assessed for $1 957 million and was built in 1949

On his website, Friebe expressed thanks to guests and audience members from over the past 21 years

“It has been my gods-honest pleasure to bring mirth and merriment to the heart of Port Coquitlam for so long,” he wrote “For as much as The Giggle Dam has entertained you, you all have entertained me You have allowed me to make a living A great one and an honest one by supporting my business for so long”