TIBBIES - The Beginning…

In the wake of P.T.Barnum's operatic nightingale, Jenny Lind, and her wildly successful American tour during the turn of the century, legend has it that a group of New York producers decided to secure their own musical diva and finance an extensive concert series across the east coast.

Their search abroad led them to French Soprano Marie LeRoy, whose popularity was gaining momentum throughout Europe. The producers quickly offered her a very lucrative, two year contract to perform in the United States along with a sizable advance. Marie, fascinated with western culture and New York City, eventually accepted.

But when she finally arrived in the Big Apple, the young opera star found that the producers had long since disbanded due to unforseen circumstances. With no tour in place, Marie quickly set her sights on self-promotion until she found another producer to work with. Paid appearances at local upper-class restaurants and one-nighters on the theater circuit kept her from starving in a new country where nobody knew of her previous fame.

After several months of struggling, the singer fell in love and soon married a banker who showered her with gifts. Four years later he surprised her with her own "Grand Cabaret" theater where she could perform not only operatic selections but also current songs of the era. The unique venue was a bonafide 'Hit' with New Yorkers and tourists alike.

The entertainment & fine dining establishment was soon re-named "Tibbie's Great American Cabaret", after the nickname that Marie's husband had given her. (Some say it was derived from her fondness of TIBBIES - a small breed of dogs. Marie owned at least 3-4 of the breed at any given point - an unusual canine entourage, which dutifully trotted after her wherever she went.)

"Tibbie's Great American Cabaret" relocated several times over the next three decades, finally settling on the opposite side of the country in sunny Northern California. It was there that Tibbie and her husband built a beautiful seven bedroom estate overlooking the pacific coast for their ever-growing family of children and animals.

In time, Tibbie's performance schedule became too much for her and she decided to retire from show business to devote full attention to her family.

TIBBIES CABARET continued on, entertaining thousands of people each season and supporting many of the new up and coming singers and performers of the time.

Eventually, the TIBBIES' baton was passed on from the LeRoy family to a new generation of producers who still believed in the Diva's motto in always providing "The Best in Elegant Dining & Extravagant Entertainment." The cabaret theater eventually moved to Newport Beach, California where it continued to sell out show after show for another fifteen years.

Two vibrant talents in the many productions that followed were Todd & Jennifer Vigiletti. They fell in love with TIBBIES and eventually bought the establishment hoping to carry on the grand tradition of fine cuisine and quality stage shows in a rich, inviting atmosphere.

TIBBIES' legacy continues to this day, as we celebrate our own 25th Silver Anniversary of our Southern California venue. In the summer of 2004 TIBBIES opened a second cabaret on board the legendary Queen Mary in Long Beach, CA. So come on down and experience TIBBIES for yourself!...

After all, there's ALWAYS something to CELEBRATE at TIBBIES GREAT AMERICAN CABARET!

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