Since 1968 Chanhassen Dinner Theatres has been a Minnesota mainstay providing fine food and Broadway caliber productions.
When Chanhassen opened its doors with a production of the aptly titled “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,” the little Village of Chanhassen, about 30 minutes southwest of Minneapolis seemed like an unlikely place for top quality theatre.
Over the years, the theatre and the community of Chanhassen have grown exponentially. Each year thousands of theatre goers head to the Chanhassen to see some of the most revered shows ever written by a Broadway composer.
With its free and ample parking, excellent service and tasty food, The Chan breaks the mold for what a dinner theater should be. Owner and Artistic Director Michael Brindisi puts as much pride in the quality of the food served at the theatre as he does the productions he mounts every six to nine months.
A fan favorite is the Chicken Chanhassen, a stuffed chicken breast with seasonal vegetables and a tasty secret sauce. Everything is made fresh on site, meaning at the Chanhassen you aren’t getting a plastic run of the mill meal, you are getting something that enhances your experience.
While the food is a great attribute of the Chanhassen, it’s the theatre’s productions that are the star. From classic musicals like Oklahoma and The Music Man to contemporary pieces like Les Miserables and Beauty and the Beast, the Chanhassen prides itself on giving patrons a theatre experience they won’t soon forget.
The Chanhassen acting company is made up of many actors who stay at the theatre for many years going from one show to another. These actors’ resumes include Broadway and national touring companies, but the lure of working near home at a top quality theatre keeps them at the Chanhassen.
One of these actors was a young actress who starred in a few Chanhassen shows in the late 1990s and early 2000s, after working in a locally produced film, this actress was urged to give Hollywood a try. She did and since the move, she is one of the film industry’s most sought after actors, complete with an Academy Award. Her name? Amy Adams.
The Chanhassen is currently mounting Hairspray until late-May. Next up will be the roller skating musical Xanadu, followed by the classic musical Bye Bye Birdie opening in the fall.
For lovers of great theatre and fine food, The Chanhassen provides a great option at a very affordable price.
Blair Reynolds is a freelance writer and theatre critic living in St. Paul, Minn.