Regional premiere of THE PROM!

https://chanhassendt.com/

Last weekend, a bunch of our bloggers attended opening night of Chanhassen Dinner Theatres' regional premiere of THE PROM, and a fantastic time was had by all! We loved this beautiful and big-hearted show and believe in its message of love and inclusivity so much that we're hosting a special event next weekend. Join us for the matinee performance on March 4 and receive $20 off the ticket price, and stick around after the show for a talkback with some of the cast. The code TCTB1 is valid at any performance through March 12, but we'd love to see you on the 4th! Get your tickets here, and read reviews from 8 of our bloggers at the links below.

Life in Revue: http://bit.ly/3Izq0yD

"It was, in a word, fabulous!"

Cherry and Spoon: https://bit.ly/cs_prom23

"This incredible cast is a true ensemble with many stars."

The Stages of MN: https://bit.ly/chanprom

"This show is simply the best!"

PhenoMNal Twin Cities: https://bit.ly/3IDUTlP

"The singing is effortless, the dancing skilled, and the live orchestra a treat."

One Fan Show: http://bit.ly/3kbmZLK

"The Prom is an unexpected delight that puts the Netflix movie to shame."

Play off the Page: http://bit.ly/417XJ9K

"The dancing is spectacular!"

Lettered in Theatre: https://bit.ly/LIT_TheProm

"The entire cast is phenomenal, especially Monty Hays in the role of Emma."

Artfully Engaging: https://bit.ly/5-Reasons-To-See-The-Prom

"It's great to see contemporary musicals, support living artists, and resonate with the issues of our times!"

Theater Crush Thursday: Chanhassen Dinner Theatres

It's the best day of the week, so you know what that means? Time for #TheaterCrushThursday!

Today we are talking about Chanhassen Dinner Theatres. CDT was founded in 1968 and has posted some staggering statistics since then – it is the largest professional dinner theater complex in the nation, the largest privately-owned restaurant in Minnesota, and has served over 12.5 million guests. If you’re a production design junkie, this is a great place to witness some beautiful costumes and sets with local pride (Beauty and the Best and Holiday Inn were particular favorites); all productions are conceived and designed by full-time artistic teams and made on-site 100% in Minnesota. And if musical theater isn’t really your thing, no problem – the vast complex has plenty of other entertainment options including a comedy club, concert series, wedding and events business and Brindisi’s Pub if you just want to swing through for a cold one.

CDT has hosted hundreds of productions over the years. Their past performance list, lovingly reproduced in every program, reads like a who’s who of the musical world. Recent productions have included Holiday Inn, Mamma Mia, Newsies, Sister Act, Grease. One of my all time favorites was Hairspray. They had just opened a production of The Music Man before the COVID-19 crisis closed their doors, and we hope they’re able to hit the ground running when things are up and running again as well as stage their next scheduled show of Cinderella. If you want to learn more (and you should!) check out their About Page below.

Personally, CDT has a special place in my heart because I grew up in a small town in Northern Minnesota, and CDT was the first place I experienced theater beyond the scope of small community theater. I will never forget being a little kid sitting in that dark theater, while the limpid notes of the pit orchestra and foggy set opened upon Brigadoon.

CDT was the only professional theater I experienced for most of my life, through annual school trips, and it was the place that opened my mind to the wonder that theater creates. It is the venue where engaging with theater became an accessible idea to me; I recognized many of the faces I continued to see on stage and was recognized and welcomed when I came through the doors.

I've branched far and wide from CDT in my understanding of #tctheater since my days as a wide eyed, wonder-filled kid, but this remains the source of my love for theater. It's now a familiar place where I can order my favorite entree (Chicken Chanhassen - don't sleep on it) and settle in for a few nostalgic hours. I love my other theaters in the Twin Cities for many reasons, but this is one that brings me back every time. 

- Compendium - Minneapolis

Streaming Events

Some livestream and recorded events.

Friends, I wrote something on my calendar! It was a red letter day, literally. I wrote down the theatrical offerings that I want to watch this weekend, online. Well, it's a chance to experience art while staying safe and social distancing. Also, it saves on gas and no long drive home at midnight.

Friday night at 7:00 Variety Slam at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres

Saturday night at 7:00 Stevie Ray's Comedy Cabaret LIVE also Chanhassen Dinner Theatres

Monday night, also at 7:00, I'll be tuning into "The Mysterious Old Radio Listening Society." They're doing Lost Episodes. Read more and get a ticket for this zoom event at Park Square Theatre. They also have a podcast that I'll be tuning into on my solitary walks.

I plan to catch "Mixed Tape" from Wayward Theatre Company tonight.

Ongoing is "Through the Narrows" from Z Puppets Rosenschnoz. I watched this a couple weeks ago. Kid friendly, meaningful, and creates great discussion on how people get through hard times.

Also, The Moving Company has "Speechless" (which I watched and loved), and other past shows.

Online, anytime, is Mixed Tape from Wayward Theatre Company. I plan to watch that tonight.

TCTB Review Roundup - Stevie Ray's Improv Company and MAMMA MIA! at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres

Our newest blogger Trin at The Global Dig recently visited Stevie Ray's Improv Company at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres and recommends it: http://bit.ly/2tlQHmA

And don't forget that MAMMA MIA! is ending it's year-long run in February. Here's a reminder of what our bloggers wrote about it when it opened last spring:

Play off the Page raves that The Chan "knows how to give their guests an outstanding experience from the food, (order off the menu not just one set dish for everyone) attentive wait staff, beautiful setting, and of course outstanding productions. I always feel happy when I’m there." https://bit.ly/2EQLuVA

While the Ordway's recent production "still holds a special place in my heart," Cherry And The Spoon says "There's room for two big, beautiful, fantastically fun Mamma Mia!s in this town." http://bit.ly/cs_mammamia19

From Say Entirely: "After Minnesota's cold (and seemingly endless) winter, the show is a breath of fresh, summery air." https://bit.ly/2TIb4WA

Compendium - Minneapolis writes about the Chan: "They put their trademark style on this show, and the talented musical cast and sunny dispositions of their portrayals are just what I needed to brighten my winter blues." https://bit.ly/2Fbv6Rc

TCTB Review Roundup: MAMMA MIA! at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres

Mamma Mia at the Chan. Our bloggers love a good op'ning at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres ...

Play off the Page raves that The Chan "knows how to give their guests an outstanding experience from the food, (order off the menu not just one set dish for everyone) attentive wait staff, beautiful setting, and of course outstanding productions. I always feel happy when I’m there." https://bit.ly/2EQLuVA

While the Ordway's recent production "still holds a special place in my heart," Cherry and Spoon says "There's room for two big, beautiful, fantastically fun Mamma Mia!s in this town." http://bit.ly/cs_mammamia19

From Say Entirely: "After Minnesota's cold (and seemingly endless) winter, the show is a breath of fresh, summery air." https://bit.ly/2TIb4WA

Compendium - Minneapolis writes about the Chan: "They put their trademark style on this show, and the talented musical cast and sunny dispositions of their portrayals are just what I needed to brighten my winter blues." https://bit.ly/2Fbv6Rc

TCTB Review Roundup: NEWSIES at the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres

It's the last week of May, which means it's almost summer! The Twin Cities Theater Bloggers would like to remind you of the fun and inspirational summer blockbuster musical playing at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres through September: NEWSIES!

Play off the Page: http://bit.ly/2Dh8o5V
"Aleks Knezevich as Jack Kelly, the leader of the Newsies, is spectacular in the role. He can do it all, sing, dance, act, and charm the socks off of Katherine, and nearly everyone in the audience. He gives Jack heart, courage, compassion, and unfailing energy and devotion to the cause."

One Girl, Two Cities: http://bit.ly/Newsies1g2c
"The overall message of the show is something many of us hold near and dear to our hearts right now: resistance. If we’re experiencing or witnessing injustices, more often people are taking a stand and pushing back. There is strength in numbers, and we can make a difference."

Compendium - Minneapolis: http://bit.ly/2p7NDW3
"I can't think of a better way to kick off CDT's 50th anniversary season (yes, 50 years - such an incredible achievement!) than this beautifully rendered production."

Brett Talk: http://bit.ly/2FHln71
"This cast really threw down the gauntlet this summer for musicals across the Twin Cities. The choreography was single handily the best I have ever seen."

Cherry and Spoon: http://bit.ly/cs_newsies
"Children truly are our hope for the future, and Newsies celebrates that idea while providing a fun, entertaining, and inspirational show."

Info and tickets: https://www.chanhassendt.com/Online/default.asp
Photo by Rich Ryan

Sister Act - TCTB Review Roundup

Twin Cities Theater Bloggers rave about the return of Sister Act at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres and the utterly fabulous Regina Marie Williams. Now through February 24th.

"Regina Marie Williams as Delores is a supreme delight. In fact, when she comes out on stage, towards the end of the show, it was like watching Diana Ross take the stage. She’s royal."
Play off the Page: http://bit.ly/2mjNOP7

"There is such a pure joy to this show, which is bolstered by the clear camaraderie between these castmates, that truly served as a balm to the soul in our troubled times. We all deserve a little more peace of mind, and I can guarantee that you will find it here at Sister Act."
Compendium - Minneapolis: http://bit.ly/2hx0KiP

"To sum up the experience in one word: Fabulous!:
Twin Cities Stages: http://bit.ly/2idOsZV

"This beautiful story of sisterhood, friendship, community, and standing up together and raising your voices for joy, love, and faith, may be needed more now than it ever was."
Cherry and Spoon: http://bit.ly/cs_sisteract17

"It's one of the best things I think I've ever seen or at least is easily in my top three favorite productions."
Coffee Talk with Brett: http://bit.ly/2zH2g5M

Grease - TCTB Review Roundup

We're calling Chanhassen Dinner Theatres' GREASE "high energy" and "smart" with "wonderful vocals." 

Check out our review roundup and see it before October 28!

Cherry and Spoon: http://bit.ly/cs_grease

Play off the Page: http://bit.ly/potpGrease

Twin Cities Stages: http://bit.ly/tcs_grease

Compendium - Minneapolis: http://bit.ly/grease_com

Camelot - TCTB Review Roundup

Have you seen Chanhassen Dinner Theatres "charming, funny, and touching" production of the classic Lerner and Loewe musical CAMELOT? If not, there's still time! Check out what our bloggers thought of the show, and then get your tickets before it closes February 25!

Play off the Page:
http://bit.ly/play_cam

Cherry and Spoon:
http://bit.ly/cs_play
Twin Cities Stages:
http://bit.ly/stage_cam
Compendium:
http://bit.ly/comp_cam
Talkin' Broadway:
http://bit.ly/talk_cam
Artfully Engaging:
http://bit.ly/art_cam

More info and tickets: http://bit.ly/chan_cam

Photo by Heidi Bohnenkamp.