A Midwest Broadway Experience: The Growth and Legacy of a Premier Dinner Theatre

Chanhassen Dinner Theatres (CDT) was founded in 1968 with the vision of bringing a “little bit of Broadway to the Midwest.” The founders, inspired by New York's Broadway productions, wanted to offer a quality musical theatre experience in the Twin Cities. They acquired land in Chanhassen, Minnesota, a rural community of less than 500 people. The 90,000 square foot dinner theatre was built on what was then cornfields and countryside. CDT is dedicated to delighting audiences and creating lifelong memories with high-quality entertainment, dining, and service.

Today, Chanhassen is the largest professional dinner theatre complex in the nation, the largest privately-owned restaurant in Minnesota, and has served over 12.5 million guests in its fifty-year history. CDT produces all its shows in-house, making them 100% Minnesota-made.

The venue features three active theatres, two event spaces, a large rehearsal space, a restaurant, and a pub. Besides regular dinner theater productions at the Main Stage Theatre, it also hosts a comedy club and concert series.

In 2010, under new ownership, CDT expanded its entertainment scope beyond musical theatre by adding a comedy club, concert series, special presentations, and an enhanced wedding and events business. The popular Brindisi’s Pub was also unveiled, offering something for everyone.