Artistic Director: MICHAEL BRINDISI

Michael celebrates his 23rd year as Resident Artistic Director for Chanhassen Dinner Theatres. In addition, Mr. Brindisi is pleased and proud to serve on the new ownership team for Chanhassen Dinner Theatres. While he continues at the artistic helm, he also adds the title of president to his "credits," overseeing and actively responding to the daily operations of the nation's largest professional dinner theatre. (On your visit, you'll likely see him walking through the dining room, holding a door for a guest or assisting wherever an extra pair of hands is needed.) He directed his first Chanhassen production, Private Lives, in '88. Since then, Mr. Brindisi has over 80 Chanhassen productions to his credit. He previously spent several years in freelance directing, overseeing 40 productions in seven consecutive seasons of summer stock; three as Artistic Director of Bemidji's Paul Bunyan Playhouse and four with MN Festival Theatre. He directed The Two-Character Play and Translations for Actors Theatre of St. Paul and Once in a Lifetime for Theatre in the Round. Other directing credits include The Beauty Part, The Robber Bridegroom, and Twigs for the Chimera Theatre and the '95 Minnesota Music Theatre summer stock series with Winona St. Mary's. Prior to directing, Mr. Brindisi enjoyed a successful acting career. Chanhassen productions include: Annie Get Your Gun, What the Butler Saw, Loot, The Robber Bridegroom, My Fair Lady, and The Matchmaker. He performed the role of Kenickie in the national tour of Grease and appeared in the Broadway revival of Once in a Lifetime with John Lithgow. In 2002, he made a guest appearance as memorable gangster Moonface Martin in Ordway Center's production of Anything Goes with Sandy Duncan and appeared in their production of Singin' in the Rain. He was honored by the Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization to co-develop and direct the World Premiere of Irving Berlin's Easter Parade, which debuted on Chanhassen's Main Stage in 2007. When able, he takes time to guest direct locally and around the country. Some credits include: You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown, and A Grand Night for Singing at Ordway Center; Grease and Hair at the Historic Pantages Theatre. On a personal note, life in the theatre is a family affair. He is married to actor Michelle Barber. They have a daughter, Caitlin. Both are seen regularly on Minnesota stages, including Chanhassen.