Chanhassen Dinner Theatres

News & Announcements

CDT's Food Drive Exceeded Expectations!

October 20, 2009: Chanhassen Dinner Theatres thanks its audiences and employees for generously contributing to its FEAST OR FAMINE FOOD DRIVE. The theatre exceeded its goal to raise $20,000 to benefit SECOND HARVEST HEARTLAND, serving families in need across the State of Minnesota and into Wisconsin. In fact, donations generously tipped the goal scale at $24,225.85! We are especially thrilled that SECOND HARVEST HEARTLAND is able to multiply each dollar raised to about $9 in food for the needy. With that in mind, the $24,225.85 is actually multiplied to over $218,000 or nearly 90,000 meals!

The FEAST OR FAMINE FOOD DRIVE ran from July 24 through September 27, 2009. Actors from the production of JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT and employees of Chanhassen Dinner Theatres worked together to collect funds following evening performances for nearly two months! The FEAST OR FAMINE FOOD DRIVE was inspired by a story theme 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 store-housing program during seven years of plenty that is followed by seven years of famine. The store-housing plan sustains the people through the famine and eventually reunites Joseph with his family.

Thanks to everyone who got behind the project to make a difference in the lives of the many households who will benefit from the food supplies. It just goes to show that when many people join together and give just a few dollars and cents, the multiplied resources can make a huge difference! Thanks also go to Cub Foods who joined hands with the theatre to help get out the word by allowing us to poster many of their stores across the metro area. For more information on SECOND HARVEST, click here,

Purchase agreement in effect for sale of CDT.

October 5, 2009: An agreement, in principle, has been reached for local businessman Greg Frankenfield to take the reins at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres. Subject to various contingencies, Frankenfield could purchase the theatres from current owner and producer Thomas K. Scallen by early next year. For just over a year, Scallen and his officers have been actively seeking a buyer who shares Scallen's passion for the theatre to carry on the rich traditions of the time-honored establishment. Scallen has been serving as owner and producer of Chanhassen Dinner Theatres since he purchased it in 1989 from founders Herbert and Carolyn Bloomberg who built the theatre in 1968. For the past twenty years Scallen has produced well over 100 classic musicals and plays to critical acclaim. In addition, the theatre employs 300 people. Scallen's wish is that the theatre and its employees will continue to thrive and maintain his legacy. As a successful businessman, Frankenfield is president of his own technology consulting company, Magenic. He has had a lifelong love of the theatre and has always had a dream to own Chanhassen Dinner Theatres. Under the guidance and ownership of Frankenfield and his team, there will be no changes to the currently announced show schedule. Frankenfield expects to continue to bring the great energy of American Musical Theatre to the Twin Cities' theatre community and beyond, far into the future.

CDT Welcomes the Legendary Miss Patsy Cline

March 3, 2009: For the first time, Chanhassen Dinner Theatres will produce the hugely popular musical play about the legendary country singer, Miss Patsy Cline. ALWAYS...PATSY CLINE opens Friday, April 3 on the Fireside stage with official opening festivities two weeks later, on Friday, April 17th. ALWAYS...PATSY CLINE has enjoyed great success with audiences across the United States including a successful Off-Broadway run in 1997. According to American Theatre Magazine it has been one of the most highly produced musicals in America. ALWAYS...PATSY CLINE has also been enjoyed internationally in Canada, Europe and Australia. ALWAYS...PATSY CLINE is based on the true story of Patsy Cline's friendship with Houston housewife Louise Seger. Seger first heard Cline on the "Arthur Godfrey Show" in 1957 and became an avid fan who constantly hounded the local disc jockey to play Cline's records on the radio. In 1961 when Cline went to Houston for a show, Seger and her buddies arrived early. By coincidence, she met Cline who was traveling alone. The two women struck up a friendship and Seger received the first of many letters and phone calls from Cline. The show's title was inspired by Cline's letters to Seger, which were consistently signed "Love Always...Patsy Cline." This unique pen-pal relationship provides much of Patsy's story culminating in that fateful evening when Seger hears of Cline's death in a plane crash at the age of 30. Seger supplies the narrative while Cline floats in and out singing 27 of the tunes that made her famous. ALWAYS...PATSY CLINE tells the story of Patsy's life with humor and poignancy. It offers fans who remember her, a chance to fondly reminisce, and gives new fans a glimpse of who Patsy was and what she meant to her original fans. Patsy Cline's enduring legacy as one of our greatest singers continues to thrill listeners, and ALWAYS...PATSY CLINE endures as a piece of American musical theatre that inspires audiences far and wide with its simple heart and pure joy of theatrical storytelling tradition. Somehow, it captures not only the spirit of Patsy Cline's brilliance, but also the magic of something truly Americana, part of the soul of country music -- the music of the common people.

ALWAYS...PATSY CLINE was created in 1988 by Ted Swindley in Houston, Texas where he was founding artistic director of Stages Repertory Theatre. Having been closely involved with the development of new plays and musicals throughout his career, Swindley was considering ideas for a small summer musical in the Texas City that would appeal to local audiences. Fortunately, a young singer in his company of actors had the desire to sing the Patsy Cline repertoire and the idea seemed a good match for the Houston theatre even though Swindley himself was not a country music fan or devoted fan of Ms. Cline. Of course, he was aware of Cline's big hits like "Crazy," "I Fall To Pieces" and "Sweet Dreams" but as he began researching the idea for a musical about the legendary country singer, he became an instant devotee of her repertoire of songs and the magnificent sound of Patsy's rich, contralto voice. The show was an instant hit with audiences and the author knew that what was meant to be just a local Texas story had much greater appeal. He had no idea Patsy's fan base was so deep and broad-based, or that the simple story of a fan's chance meeting would have such universal appeal.

Monica Heuser, in the role of Patsy Cline, makes her Chanhassen debut. Heuser first set foot in the Twin Cities when she was cast as Patsy Cline in Troupe America's 1998 National Tour of A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline. It was the very first time she had performed the role and since then she has performed the role every year, somewhere, for more than a decade. In fact, she is officially sanctioned by the estate of Patsy Cline! Heuser's other notable credits include the 2007 Ivey Award-winning Love, Janis (Ordway) and the National Tour of Menopause The Musical. Cline's pen pal friend, Louise Seger, is played by the diversely talented and award-winning actor Peggy O'Connell. O'Connell has a long history performing with Chanhassen Dinner Theatres dating back to 1980 when she debuted as Annie Oakley in Annie Get Your Gun. Since then, O'Connell has performed across the country from New York to Los Angeles appearing on Broadway opposite Tommy Tune in My One and Only, and on television in the popular television series "Northern Exposure." She can now be seen on stages across the Twin Cities from the Guthrie to Chanhassen. A live band appears on stage with the actors and provides vocal and instrumental accompaniment.

Chanhassen Dinner Theatres' Artistic Director Michael Brindisi directs. His artistic team includes: Musical Director Kyle Clausen; Choreographer: Tamara Kangas-Erickson; Scenic Designer Nayna Ramey; Costume Designer Rich Hamson; Lighting Designer Sue Ellen Berger; Hair/Makeup Designer Susan Magnuson and Sound Designer Russ Haynes. Production Stage Manager is Susan Magnuson.
Back To Top

CDT's Seven Brides lifts spirits!

February 13, 2009: CDT brings down the house with Seven Brides For Seven Brothers! Read Graydon Royce's review from the Star Tribune.

ALTAR BOYZ' irresistible review!

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

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.

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.

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.

Meet our Ambassador...Dick Stanley

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

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.
Back To Top