Located in northwest Washington, very close to the Canadian border, is Lynden, a small city with a long history of farming. This city is not a place that you would expect to find a dinner theater. However, thanks to the Lynden Performing Arts Guild, four times a year the residents can enjoy a wonderful night out at the Claire VG Thomas Theatre.
The Guild sponsors four plays during each season, including dramas, comedies, musicals, and even Shakespeare. Past performances have included Steele Magnolias, Hansel and Gretel, Willy Wonka, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Rumors, Wonderland, The Christmas Schooner, and Much Ado about Nothing. In 2012, the upcoming performances are The Diary of Anne Frank and Happy Days, the New Musical.
Each plays performance runs about 12 days over a three-week period. The highlight of this theatre is that a wonderful “dinner theater” is offered on the first two nights of a new show. Theater patrons can enjoy a delicious dinner catered by Jake’s Western Grill. A favorite local steakhouse, Jake’s Western Grill is known for its flat iron steak, pulled pork, and delicious cornbread. The dinner theater starts at 6:30 PM.
Only 20 minutes north of Bellingham, the Claire VG Thomas theatre is located in the Dutch Village Mall at 655 Front Street in Lynden WA 98264. Free parking is available in the lot across the street from the theatre. The box office is open Tuesday through Saturday, 1 PM – 3 PM at the theatre. Tickets can be ordered in person or by phone (360) 354-4425 during box office hours, and MasterCard and Visa credit cards are accepted. Tickets are reasonably priced: dinner theatre $30, adults $12, seniors or students $10, and children ages 3-8 $8. (Small children under the age of 3 are not admitted to the theatre.)