Artistic Director

Michael Brindisi

Michael Brindisi begins his 20th year as Resident Artistic Director for Chanhassen Dinner Theatres. He directed his first Chanhassen production, Private Lives, in 1987. Since then, Mr. Brindisi has directed over 50 Chanhassen shows including: Shirley Valentine, State Fair, Brigadoon, Cats, Crazy For You, The Rainmaker, My Fair Lady, Phantom, Singin' in the Rain, and Irving Berlin's Easter Parade. He previously spent several years in freelance directing, overseeing 40 productions in seven consecutive seasons of summer stock; three as Artistic Director of Bemidji's Paul Bunyan Playhouse, and four with MN Festival Theatre. He directed The Two-Character Play and Translations for Actors Theatre of St. Paul and Once in a Lifetime for Theatre in the Round. Other directing credits include: The Beauty Part, The Robber Bridegroom, and Twigs for the Chimera Theatre and the 1995 Minnesota Music Theatre summer stock series with Winona St. Mary's. Prior to directing, Mr. Brindisi enjoyed a successful acting career. Chanhassen productions include Annie Get Your Gun, What the Butler Saw, Loot, The Robber Bridegroom, My Fair Lady and The Matchmaker. He performed the role of Kenickie in the National Tour of Grease and appeared in the Broadway revival of Once in a Lifetime with John Lithgow. He directed You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown for Ordway's McKnight Theatre, and appeared at the Ordway as a guest artist in Anything Goes with Sandy Duncan. Mr. Brindisi also serves as corporate vice president of Chanhassen Dinner Theatres. He is married to actor Michelle Barber and they have a daughter, Caitlin, both frequently seen in Chanhassen Dinner Theatres' productions.