The Chanhassen Dinner Theatre Has Been Sold

As of this morning, Chanhassen Dinner Theatres has officially been sold. The new managing partners of the 41 year-old theatre include: Michael Brindisi, Chanhassen Resident Artistic Director; Tamara Kangas Erickson, Professional Choreographer; and Steven L. Peters, Owner and President of VenuWorks. Brindisi, Kangas Erickson and Peters are leading a local group of investors in the purchase from Thomas K. Scallen. The investor group includes: Steven L. Peters, President of VenuWorks; Doug Lennick, CEO & Managing Director of Lennick Aberman Group; Sandi and Jim Jensen, CFO and Associate of Lennick Aberman Group; and Duane Skluzacek, Partner in Dewberry Farms, LLP

For well over a year, Scallen has been actively seeking a buyer for the dinner theatre complex. "It's extremely meaningful to know that the new management team/owners will uphold the legacy we've worked diligently to preserve," said Scallen. "We know Chanhassen Dinner Theatres will be in capable hands and will continue to thrive."

The teaming of Brindisi, Kangas Erickson and Peters is a perfect blend to chart the future course of Chanhassen Dinner Theatres. Brindisi, a native Philadelphian, arrived at Chanhassen in 1971 to perform in The Matchmaker. From that point he performed on stage in multiple Chanhassen productions while intermittently appearing on the Broadway stage. Among multiple acting and directorial projects, he co-founded Minnesota Festival Theatre in Albert Lea with his wife Michelle Barber. In 1989, Brindisi was asked to take the reins as Resident Artistic Director at Chanhassen. Since that time, he's directed more than 60 critically acclaimed productions on all four Chanhassen stages while leading his gifted in-house artistic team.

Similarly, Kangas Erickson also has some deep roots with Chanhassen Dinner Theatres with her first role being Marta in The Sound of Music in 1980. She graduated from St. Olaf College with a major in Fine Arts and Dance, and spent several years as a senior salesperson and interior design consultant for Ralph Lauren Home in New York. She has appeared in numerous productions at Chanhassen over the years and in 2004 she signed on as choreographer and guest director/artistic collaborator with Brindisi. She earned an Ivey Award in 2008 for her choreography of Chanhassen's acclaimed 42nd Street.

Peters founded his company VenuWorks in 1996 to provide management services for theatres, arenas and convention centers. With headquarters in Ames, IA, VenuWorks manages over thirty venues in eighteen markets in eleven states across the country. In addition, Peters has been a colleague and friend of Tom Scallen for over 20 years. Stated Peters, "Over the past twenty years Tom has graciously hosted us for nearly every Chanhassen opening. This is a marvelous place and it's an honor to be following in Tom's footsteps."

The partnership of this trio makes good sense. Brindisi and Kangas Erickson know Chanhassen Dinner Theatres and its audiences, and have the knowledge and appreciation of what it takes to maintain the theatres' long-standing reputation for artistic integrity. Peters has solid expertise and resources to streamline business practices, strengthen efficiencies, and create new profit centers for the theatre. Peters also emphatically stated that Chanhassen Dinner Theatres will remain in the city of Chanhassen. "We are the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres in Chanhassen." In addition, the new company will continue to honor all advance ticket sales and all gift certificates purchased under previous ownership. All guest purchases are completely safe with us," he said.

This is a highly anticipated and emotional announcement for the managing partners and investors. Stated Peters, "We realize the positive impact that Chanhassen Dinner Theatres has had on the people of this community and the more than 10 million guests who have visited the theatre since it opened in 1968. We want to see it go on." Brindisi's and Kangas Erickson's longtime history with Chanhassen Dinner Theatres represents their strong affection and dedication to the institution, its audiences and its nearly 300 employees. Brindisi has witnessed the resolute commitment of the Bloomberg family who founded Chanhassen and ran it for twenty years before passing the torch to Tom Scallen, who likewise carried on the same traditions for the past 21 years. Said Brindisi, "At this juncture, we're looking forward to our future. Our goals are the same as our predecessors, to be profitable, to maintain the quality experience, to improve upon it, and to have fun. We're just asking the audiences to continue coming because we can't do it without them. The best days of Chanhassen Dinner Theatres are before us."

ABOUT CHANHASSEN DINNER THEATRES: Founded in 1968, Chanhassen Dinner Theatres is the nation's largest Equity dinner theatre in the nation with multiple theatres under one roof. Over the years, over 200 acclaimed productions have graced the stages at Chanhassen, and more than 10,000,000 guests have been entertained from around the globe.