Chanhassen Dinner Theatre is one of the sights to see in Minnesota’s Twin Cities. Since 1968 there have been over 193 productions on its various stages, with over 8 million guests in attendance. That number is staggering, but not surprising given the quality shows appearing at Chanhassen.
The 90,000 square foot facility was constructed and designed by Herbert and Carolyn Bloomberg on what was once a corn field. The Old Log Theater had contracted them to build it’s new facility. They decided to follow that project by building their own theatre complex 30 minutes from downtown. They decided to follow that project by building their own theatre complex 30 minutes from downtown. To add to the risk their vision included a restaurant. Given the failure rates of new restaurants and the distance from downtown, the project appeared to be a pipe dream doomed to fail.
But on October 11, 1968 the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre Minnesota opened. Fittingly, “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” was the inaugural production. That ran for a month and a half before “the Fantasticks” took the stage. So here’s a pun. The stage was set for what is today the largest professional dinner theatre in America. It can also boast being the largest privately owned restaurant in Minnesota. Sometimes risk is rewarded.
On February 18, 1971 a production of “I Do! I Do!” opened in the Playhouse, a smaller theatre space in the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre facility. It ran a staggering 21 years. Even more amazing was that the same cast stayed with the show the whole time. How’s that for job security? It became a cornerstone production for the Playhouse and Chanhassen, known all over the country. It ended in November of 1992, but after “I Do Love the Holidays” took over for a few months, “I Do! I Do!” returned for a short run from late January to early December of 1993. It was then replaced by “Stevie Ray’s Comedy Troupe” which had a nearly two year run. That pretty good too.
In 1995 another room, the Courtyard, hosted both “I Do! I Do!” and “Stevie Ray’s Comedy Troupe”. Today the Club is a popular spot for wedding receptions, private parties and even business meetings. Other well known plays that have appeared at Chanhassen are Camelot, My Fair Lady, The Sound of Music, Guys and Dolls, 42nd Street, Oklahoma, and Dial M for Murder. There are too many to list here. Today the Club is put to use for weddings and business gatherings. Other well known plays that have appeared at Chanhassen are Camelot, My Fair Lady, The Sound of Music, Guys and Dolls, 42nd Street, Oklahoma, and Dial M for Murder. This is by no means the complete list. That can be found on the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre website chanhassentheatres.com.
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