Chanhassen Dinner Theatres

News & Announcements

ALTAR BOYZ' irresistible review!

November 16, 2008: Graydon Royce submits a review in the Star Tribune.

Fox 9 News video...

October 28, 2008: See what's happening at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres! In celebration of our 40th Anniversary Artistic Director, Michael Brindisi and his wife, actor, Michelle Barber talk with FOX 9 news. Watch this recording of the live Fox 9 interview.

Twin Cities LIVE!

October 21, 2008: See a song from CDT's production "The Producers" performed by Jay Albright and Robb McKindles during this Twin Cities LIVE broadcast.

HOLY HIT! Altar Boyz comes to Chanhassen!

October 22, 2008: Reviewers from across the nation have sung the praises of ALTAR BOYZ calling it, "out-and-out terrific!," "Joyful!," "Super-sonic stellar!," "Hilarious and rib-tickling." One New York reviewer summed it up by saying ALTAR BOYZ "handily achieves perfection in every department." And now the heavenly Off-Broadway smash hit musical comes to Chanhassen Dinner Theatres as part of their 40th anniversary celebration. ALTAR BOYZ will be produced on the Fireside stage with preview performances from November 7 through 13 and grand opening festivities taking place Friday, Nov 14.

The ALTAR BOYZ - five small-town boys: Matthew, Mark, Luke, Juan and Abraham (one nice Jewish boy)- are out to save the world one screaming fan at a time. This hilarious spoof about a Christian boyband is presented as an evening of spectacular music, sinfully sensational dancing and uncontrollable laughs. ALTAR BOYZ performs for audiences on the last leg of their "Raise the Praise" tour. With hits like "(God put the) Rhythm in Me," "The Calling" and "Something About You," the ALTAR BOYZ deliver their message of love innocently and with great gusto. By the end of the night audiences buy into the show guffawing and singing along. The parody is sharp with sidesplitting songs (convincing enough to be played on MTV) clever lyrics and tight moves. It gently pokes fun at current popular boy bands like New Kids On The Block, Backstreet Boys and 'N Sync and organized religion, and yet, by the end of the show it is clear everyone involved has plenty of affection for both boy bands and Christianity.

ALTAR BOYZ originated Off-Broadway in New York and opened March 1, 2005 at Dodger Stages. The show, conceived by Marc Kessler and Ken Davenport, was written by Kevin Del Aguila, with music and lyrics by Gary Adler and Michael Patrick Walker. Del Aguila was careful to mock, with an ever-so-light-touch, the skewed values that are often hallmarks of religion today, without ever sermonizing to the audience throughout the 90-minute production.

ALTAR BOYZ, directed by Michael Brindisi and choreographed by Tamara Kangas Erickson, is staged as a pop rock concert in real-time. Audience members are cast as fans in attendance. With the assistance of a tracking device called the Soul Sensor DX-12, the hip-hopping quintet vows to rejuvenate each soul in the audience through a series of invigorating songs and exercises. Among the latter is a "Confession Sessions" sequence during which "the boyz" respond to questions audience members write on index cards. The music of ALTAR BOYZ seems to cover nearly every genre in the spectrum. Each one of the dozen numbers in the score is melodic and funny. While mainly a pop-rock feel, there is a variety to the array including over-the-top power ballads, Latin-flavored tunes, hip-hop, and even a little rap.

Director Michael Brindisi is enjoying the rehearsal process, "I've never directed the show before, so that's always refreshing. The cast is dynamite and I know our audiences will really get into this show. In fact, anyone who can laugh at the eccentricities of religion and is ready to laugh about these boy-group cliches is guaranteed to be all over this piece. It's very clever."

The cast of ALTAR BOYZ includes: Ben Bakken as Matthew, Brian Skellenger as Mark, Matt LaFontaine as Luke, Pogi Sumangil as Juan, and Brian Winter as Abraham. The rest of Brindisi's artistic team includes: Musical Director Kyle Clausen; Scenic Designer Nayna Ramey; Costume Designer Barbara Portinga; Lighting Designer Sue Ellen Berger; Hair/Makeup Designer Susan Magnuson and Sound Designer Russ Haynes. Production Stage Manager is Robin Macgregor.

ALTAR BOYZ is scheduled to run through February 2009. Performances: Evenings: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 6:00 dinner/8:15 curtain, price $49 (includes dinner); Friday and Saturday 6pm dinner/8:15 curtain, price $60 (includes dinner); Sunday 5pm dinner/7pm curtain, price $50 (includes dinner). Show only tickets available ten days prior to date of attendance. Limited matinees ($42 including dinner), please inquire for dates. ALTAR BOYZ is suitable for all audiences. Reservations are highly recommended by calling the box office at 952-934-1525 or toll free 1-800-362-3515. In addition, tickets may be purchased and information obtained online at www.ChanhassenDT.com. Free parking and coat check are available for all performances.

Inappropriate? Yes - but a whole lot of fun!

October 20, 2008: Dominic Papatola reviews Chanhassen's production of The Producers. Read it here.

It's a HIT!

October 18, 2008: Enjoy this review of The Producers from the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

40th Anniversary insights!

October 19, 2008: We're Celebrating 40 years of Twin Cities entertainment at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres. Graydon Royce writes more in this Star Tribune tribute.

40 Years Celebrated in Pioneer Press Article.

October 17, 2008: Dominic Palpatola shares behind-the-curtain memories from former Chanhassen Dinner Theatres actors in this interesting story.

Tamara Kangas Erickson receives Ivey Award!

September 23, 2008: TAMARA KANGAS ERICKSON was honored with outstanding choreographer recognition for Chanhassen Dinner Theatres' 2008 production of 42nd Street. Many members of the original 42nd Street cast opened the gala Ivey Award ceremony with the opening dance number, "The Audition," from that recognized production.

The recognition ceremony was held at the Historic State Theatre in Minneapolis on Monday, September 22, 2008. (www.iveyawards.com)

Ms. Kangas Erickson humbly accepted the Ivey Award, giving credit to Chanhassen Resident Artistic Director Michael Brindisi, stating, "This award should equally go Michael Brindisi. Our relationship is truly a creative collaborative partnership in every sense of the word." Kangas Erickson also thanked Chanhassen Dinner Theatres' Producer, Thomas K. Scallen, commending the theatre company, and its management team on the occasion of the theatres' 40th Anniversary celebration this fall.

Ms. Kangas Erickson has served as sole choreographer for Chanhassen since 2004, choreographing such productions including: Anything Goes, Beauty and the Beast, West Side Story, Singin' in the Rain, Irving Berlin's Easter Parade, Les Miserables, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and 42nd Street among others. She has also tried her hand at directing at Chanhassen, most recently with the August 2007 production of Respect.

Swing! is a Hit! Read on...

August 14, 2008: Check out this review from the Star Tribune.

The First Swing! Review is in!

August 10, 2008: Check out this review from the Pioneer Press.

Swing! Director Sean Cercone Shares Insight.

August 9, 2008: CDT's guest director, Sean Cercone, is interviewed about directing Swing! for the Chanhassen Main Stage. Read more in this Star Tribune article.

Blogs, opinions, articles and more...

May 21, 2008: Minneapolis Star Tribune staff writers explain how CDT seems to be excluded from the MOA expansion project in this article.

CDT's expansion opportunities blocked.

May 20, 2008: KSTP news broke this story regarding language added to the tax bill tied to the Mall of America expansion project.

Chanhassen Dinner Theatres PRESS RELEASE

May 19, 2008: CHANHASSEN DINNER THEATRES-VICTIM OF RADICAL LEGISLATOR. Chanhassen Dinner Theatres Speaks Out Against Final-Hour Legislative Language Prohibiting Right To Do Business. In an eleventh-hour move of the recent legislative session, radical State Representative Joe Hoppe of Chanhassen had language inserted into the tax bill that bans Chanhassen Dinner Theatres from participating in the Phase II development at Mall of America. Tommy Scallen, spokesperson for Chanhassen Dinner Theatres became aware of the situation at approximately 6pm on Saturday evening, May 17th. He immediately began telephoning Representative Hoppe. After numerous attempts, Scallen finally reached Hoppe at 11:15pm that same night. Scallen asked that the offensive language be removed from the bill, but was told it was too late. Representative Hoppe acknowledged that the language was designed to keep Chanhassen Dinner Theatres from moving to the new mall expansion project. At no time did Hoppe make a single attempt to contact the theatre ownership prior to taking this action. Scallen stated, "We are a privately-owned business and have been paying our taxes in Chanhassen for the past forty years. Representative Hoppe has no idea as to what is in the best interest of our theatre or its 300 employees."

Previously on Saturday, May 10th, the theatre was contacted regarding restrictions being placed in the tax bill by Representative Jim Davnie from Minneapolis. This new language was introduced to protect other theatres in the metropolitan area and would only allow a theatre with "seating capacity not to exceed 1,500 with a terraced main floor on which at least two-thirds of its total seats are located at fixed tables, at which substantially all of the admissions for performances will include meals, and which must be operated by a theater organization that has continuously operated a dinner theatre in Minnesota for at least 30 years, producing at least 150 plays during that time with more than 8 million attendees, or its successor; and one that has a seating capacity not to exceed 400, with no fly space in its stage area."

Since Chanhassen Dinner Theatres is the only theatre that could possibly fall into this category, Hoppe felt it necessary to introduce new language designed to specifically prohibit Chanhassen Dinner Theatres from ever moving to Mall of America, something to which he readily admitted. Therefore, it is no coincidence that a legislative representative of Chanhassen introduced this language. On Monday morning, May 19th, Scallen contacted Chanhassen City Manager Todd Gerhardt seeking assistance from the city in the matter. When Scallen inquired if Gerhardt was aware of what had transpired on Saturday night, Gerhardt laughed saying he was indeed aware. He acknowledged he had prior knowledge of the plot, but denied he'd had any contact with Hoppe. He further acknowledged the action was taken to block Chanhassen Dinner Theatres from moving to the mall expansion at any future time.

Hoppe would argue it's a matter of restricting public subsidies. Scallen objects, "This is not about public subsidy; this is about a legislator stomping on the property rights of a privately-held company in a late-night, backroom deal. Even more disturbing was the intentional and obvious attempt to do this secretly in the eleventh hour when it was too late for the theatre to respond." Scallen continued, "We are no different from any other non-subsidized retail business that may or may not choose to do business at Mall of America or anywhere else. Chanhassen Dinner Theatres is a small, private business that had a business opportunity legislated away from it. This is about denying a private business the opportunity to relocate if it's in its best interest. If it can happen to us, a dinner theatre, who is to say it can't happen to any other business. This is a clear attack on property rights and free enterprise."

Meet our Ambassador...Dick Stanley

May 8, 2008: Graydon Royce interviews the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres' Ambassador/Greeter in this Star Tribune article.

Catch the funny side of marriage!

May 8, 2008: The Chanhassen Villager shares their opinion of the new musical production, Married Alive! in this review by Richard Crawford.

Married Alive! review from Minneapolis Star Tribune

May 5, 2008: Graydon Royce notes the highs and lows of the new musical, Married Alive! in this Star Tribune review.

Married Alive! Actors' Q&A...

April 25, 2008: Graydon Royce examines marital woes with the cast of Married Alive! in this Star Tribune article.

Chanhassen Dinner Theatres Extends Lease.

March 11, 2008: Chanhassen Dinner Theatres and The Bloomberg Companies jointly announced today that they have reached an agreement to extend the dinner theatres' lease in the present facility to 2013, with an option to 2018. This agreement is the result of rent concessions by the Bloomberg family and the commitment of the City of Chanhassen to keep the theatre in Chanhassen.

The City, along with SouthWest Transit, has plans to locate a Park and Ride facility adjacent to the existing theatre complex, which will enable theatre patrons to utilize it in non Park and Ride hours.

Thomas K. Scallen, owner of Chanhassen Dinner Theatres stated, "We are pleased that an agreement has been reached with the Bloomberg family and appreciate the cooperation of the City."

The Bloomberg Companies owns 12.5 acres in downtown Chanhassen including the site of Chanhassen Dinner Theatres. Clayton Johnson, executive vice-president of the Bloomberg Companies stated, "With the decision of the theatre to remain at its current location, there will be opportunities for more intense development. The Park and Ride ramp is scheduled to be constructed in 2009-10 and we have an opportunity to locate it for maximum benefit to the property development in whole."

Plans for the 12.5 acre site are very preliminary. However, it is anticipated that another hotel in close proximity to the theatre is a possibility, as well as housing located conveniently near the Park and Ride facility. Additional retail will also be incorporated into the site plan.

Food Shelf Items Delivered!

February 1, 2007: Chanhassen Dinner Theatres would like to thank its audiences and employees for generously contributing to our FEAST OR FAMINE FOOD DRIVE. We are ecstatic to report that we made our goal to raise $10,000 to benefit the food shelves of the CAP AGENCY serving needy families in Carver, Scott and Dakota counties. In fact, we just tipped the goal scale raising an actual $10,039.36. As a restaurant, we partnered with Cub Foods in Chanhassen who helped us in making the best possible food purchases to make the dollars go even further, in excess of a $12,000 value. In addition, Cub donated the semi-truck to make the delivery of the 9,978 pounds of food to the CAP AGENCY. The CAP AGENCY gave their wish list to the theatre and the food was successfully delivered on Friday, February 1. CAP was thrilled to receive the donation and had many volunteers on hand to unload all those cans, crates and boxes of food ranging from fruits and vegetables to peanut butter and tuna fish! The actors from the production of JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT collected the funds following their performances during the season of Thanksgiving. The theme of FEAST OR FAMINE was inspired by the theme of the story of JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT. In the familiar and beloved Bible story, JOSEPH, led by his inspired dreams, leads the people of Egypt when he sets up a food storehousing program during seven years of plenty that is followed by seven years of famine. The storehousing plan sustains the people through the famine and eventually reunites Joseph with his brothers who had deceived their father and sold Joseph into slavery out of their jealousy. Thanks to everyone who got behind the project and helped to make a difference in the lives of the 1,200-1,600 households who visit the food shelves each month. It just goes to show that when many people join together and give just a few dollars and cents, the multiplied resources can be of great assistance!

Respect Review from Minneapolis Star Tribune!

August 20, 2007: Rohan Preston shares his views after witnessing the new Chanhassen production, Respect. Read his review.

The first Les Miserables review is in!

June 25, 2007: Ed Felien comments on the "... highly charged version" of CDT's Les Miserables in this Pulse of the Twin Cities Arts Cover Story.