Music of Nat King Cole, Carpenters, Led Zeppelin and More Set for Chanhassen Dinner Theatre's 2014 Concert Series

In 2013, CDT enjoyed the successful premiere of its new concert series. Featured 2013 concerts included tributes to The Eagles, Led Zeppelin, Fleetwood Mac, Nat King Cole, The Beatles, and many others. The inaugural series ushered in a completely fresh, new genre of musical entertainment for Chanhassen audiences. Along with the concerts, audiences were treated to value-added fun activity pairings including complimentary '80s Glambush Makeovers, and free photos in our photo booth, adding to the experience.

Vice President Tamara Kangas Erickson stated, "The success of the 2013 concerts is a strong indicator that audiences are eager to see this type of entertainment at Chanhassen. With this in mind, it has been exciting to pull together the very best of the 2013 series and complete it with a list of brand new offerings for 2014. We know our guests will absolutely love what is to come."

Erickson who formulates the concert series continued, "This holiday season we expanded our series to include a wide variety of holiday shows. In fact, we have a different holiday show every single week, which is a departure from our singular holiday show standard of years' past. We're giving people the options they're asking for and offering the highest-caliber local talent."

Chanhassen continues to expand its entertainment scope to include live professional musical theatre, comedy improv, weddings and events, holiday entertainment, Monday Night Cabarets, Brindisi's Pub and patio, and the concert series.

2013 concert attendees communicated their enthusiasm for attending quality live concerts offered in the western suburbs as an appealing alternative to driving downtown, with free parking being an added bonus. Through ticket service tracking methods, it was reported that a significant percentage of guests returned when concert events were repeated with some time in-between. Concert-goers also reported recommending concerts to friends and family when their favorite events were repeated. Offering dinner before the performance was an appealing option, with 65% of guests adding that option. In addition, many guests arrived early or stayed after to enjoy Brindisi's Pub, which offers service seven days a weeks from 11:30am to close. Brindisi's outdoor patio was also a welcome option for spring and summertime concert-goers.

CDT President Michael Brindisi added, "Every time we host concert events there is a fantastic energy throughout our building that actually brings it to life and adds to our guests' experience."

The second half of the series will be announced in early 2014. Tickets for the 2014 Concert Series are on sale now. Reservations can be made by calling the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres' box office at (952) 934-1525 or toll-free at (800) 362-3515. Tickets for the 2014 Concert Series are $40 per person and $15 additional if adding the dinner option. Dinner seating for all concerts is at 6pm and concert start times are at 8pm, with the exception of Sunday events, which are earlier. For tickets and information call the box office at (952) 934-1525 or (800) 362-3515, or go online to www.ChanhassenDT.com For parties of 12 or more, contact Group Sales at 952-934-1547 or (800) 355-6273.

Scheduled concerts from January through June 2014:

POWER BALLADZ - THE ULTIMATE 80s SINGALONG

Fri/Sat January 17 & 18

Do you remember what song was playing when you had your first kiss or your first slow dance? Chances are it was a power ballad - those songs that double as a soundtrack to your life. For a rockin' hot evening, experience POWER BALLADZ and unleash your inner rock star with 90 minutes of rock featuring killer voices and wicked guitar solos! With music of '80s bands including: Aerosmith, Journey, Queen, Bon Jovi, Poison, Heart and many more. POWER BALLADZ returns with an amazing cast to thrill you and your friends with an incredible evening of loud music and '80s humor.

DOLLY, LINDA, PATSY & ME: A TRIBUTE TO THE GREAT WOMEN OF COUNTRY Featuring MONICA HEUSER

Fri/Sat January 24 & 25

Twin Cities' audiences will remember Monica Heuser from her star-turn in Chanhassen's production of Always Patsy Cline. In addition, she received an Ivey Award for her portrayal of Janis Joplin in the Ordway's Love, Janis. This concert pulls out all the stops honoring the great women of country: Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, Patsy Cline and many more. You'll enjoy a great mix of country and country-flavored pop, rock and blues. This is a show not to be missed and Monica Heuser and her band are just the ones to deliver it.

UNFORGETTABLE: THE MUSIC OF NAT KING COLE STARRING DENNIS SPEARS & THE WOLVERINES

Fri/Sat February 7 & 8

Last year Dennis Spears and The Wolverines thrilled audiences with a dynamic, powerful and highly-memorable tribute concert to the beloved singer, Nat King Cole. Celebrate Valentine's Day a little early as this concert returns to win audiences over once again. Mr. Spears won an Ivey Award for his highly-acclaimed portrayal of Nat King Cole in Penumbra Theatres' I Wish You Love, which played at Kennedy Center in 2010. He is one of the Twin Cities' finest entertainers and is known as the male voice in the popular jazz group "Moore By Four." Mr. Spears is joined by the marvelous Wolverines Jazz Trio: Rick Carlson on piano, Steve Pikal on bass, and Jendeen Forberg on drums. Hear well-known songs: "Mona Lisa," "Walking My Baby Back Home," "For Sentimental Reasons," "I Wish You Love, "Unforgettable" and dozens more. This is an event you won't want to miss!

RAINY DAYS & MONDAYS - THE MUSIC OF THE CARPENTERS Featuring AIMÉE LEE & THE SUPERSTARS

Fri/Sat/Sun February 14-16 (Sunday time: 7pm)

Join us for an unforgettable Valentine's Day weekend as Aimée Lee, Boyd Lee and a stellar cast of musicians return to Chanhassen and present a stunning tribute to The Carpenters, the biggest-selling group of the '70s. More than just creators of beautifully-crafted music and hugely successful hit records, an entire generation fell in love with the sound of The Carpenters. Featuring beloved classics, such as "Close To You," "Yesterday Once More," "We've Only Just Begun," "Superstar," "For All We Know," and many, many more! Book early - this favorite sells out fast!

TAKIN' IT TO THE STREETS: A DOOBIE BROTHERS TRIBUTE WITH THE FABULOUS ARMADILLOS & COLLECTIVE UNCONSCIOUSNESS

Fri/Sat February 28 & March 1

The Fabulous Armadillos and Collective Unconscious unite to bring you the unique vocals, soul and power of the Doobie Brothers in their debut of "Takin' It to the Streets: A Doobie Brothers Tribute." This same group of musicians blew audiences away with their sold-out and much-talked about Eagles Tribute here at Chanhassen. Hear songs like: "Black Water," "China Grove," "What A Fool Believes," "Takin' It to the Streets" and many more! Don't wait to get your tickets now for what is sure to be another audience favorite, then sit back and "Listen to the Music" of the Doobie Brothers performed by The Fabulous Armadillos and Collective Unconscious!

POWER BALLADZ - THE ULTIMATE 80s SINGALONG

Fri/Sat March 14 & 15

Do you remember what song was playing when you had your first kiss or your first slow dance? Chances are it was a power ballad - those songs that double as a soundtrack to your life. For a rockin' hot evening, experience POWER BALLADZ and unleash your inner rock star with 90 minutes of rock featuring killer voices and wicked guitar solos! With music of '80s bands including: Aerosmith, Journey, Queen, Bon Jovi, Poison, Heart and many more. POWER BALLADZ returns with an amazing cast to thrill you and your friends with an incredible evening of loud music and '80s humor.

BELLADIVA - DIVAS THROUGH THE DECADES

Fri/Sat March 28 & 29

Belladiva's "Divas through the Decades" is a musical tribute to some of the most influential female vocalists in American pop music, featuring songs from the '40s through today's current hits! The show features music made famous by various divas, including: Tina Turner, Diana Ross and the Supremes, Celine Dion, Aretha Franklin, Gloria Estefan, Madonna, Beyonce, Shania Twain, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, and many more. Belladiva's stage show is filled with electrifying vocals, cutting-edge choreography, great costumes, and a high-energy performance that is second to none. You will find comedy and sentiment throughout the performance as the girls get the audience involved and participating in the show!

THE SONG REMAINS THE SAME: LED ZEPPELIN, JONNY JAMES & THE HALL OF FAMES

Fri/Sat April 11 & 12
Jonny James and the Hall of Fames (the band that brought you "The Beatles Anthology") is back rocking harder than ever with "The Song Remains The Same," a tribute to the greatest rock band of all time, Led Zeppelin, who just this past year was awarded a Kennedy Center Honor for their contribution to the music industry. For 10 years, Led Zeppelin dominated the US and the UK with unforgettable guitar riffs, blues-inspired wails, and insane drum solos. Their music is some of the most loved in rock history. JJHOF will feature the greatest Zeppelin tunes including: "Black Dog," "Heartbreaker," "Whole Lotta Love," "Immigrant Song" and of course, "Stairway to Heaven."

THE FABULOUS ARMADILLOS present RETURN TO MOTOWN

Wed/Thurs April 25 & 26

New to CDT audiences, catch the Fabulous Armadillos in another of their hugely popular tribute shows. Their huge band features many special guests including: Julius Collins (When A Man Loves A Diva), Kenni Holmen (The Hornheadz), Aimee Lee (Rainy Days & Mondays), Julius Andrews IV (Michael Jackson Tribute), Pamela McNeill (Rumors And Dreams, RRXS), Cate Fierro (The Irresistibles, Memphis and the Meantimes). This stellar group performs a retrospective of what made the Motown label a piece of American Pie and why it continues to be a long-standing, revered part of the history of American music.

GARY RUE'S ONLY LOVE CAN BREAK A HEART: THE MUSIC OF GENE PITNEY

Thursday, June 19

And only love can mend it again. For one night only, fans of Gene Pitney will be thrilled to revisit Pitney's hits including "Hello Mary Lou," "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance," "Town Without Pity" and many more. Gary Rue, former band leader for The Coasters, The Platters, The Marvelettes and The Shirelles, and music director for Gene Pitney from 1986-2006, along with his amazing group of musicians, perform an unforgettable tribute to a one-of-a kind talent.

THE SENSATIONAL SLEEPERS: BRITISH INVASION MUSIC AND THE AMERICAN RESPONSE 1964-1967

Saturday, June 21

Gary Rue and The Sensational Sleepers take you back to a time in pop music history where there had never been such a run of success from a single source: Great Britain. The Sensational Sleepers pay tribute to the fab British bands of the '60s including: The Yardbirds, The Animals, The Hollies, The Dave Clark Five, The Kinks, The Nashville Teens, The Rolling Stones, The Searchers, and The Zombies, to name a few. Performing songs like, "We Gotta Get Outa This Place," "You Really Got Me," "Look Through Any Window," "Heart Full of Soul," "She's Not There," "Hippy Hippy Shake" and "Tobacco Road." The Sleepers give their audiences a rare opportunity to hear songs that are often overshadowed by the greatness of John, Paul, George and Ringo, impeccably performed by the heirs apparent: The Sensational Sleepers. Audiences are still bound to hear plenty of Beatles to satisfy: "Help!," "Ticket To Ride," "A Hard Day's Night" and many more. Travel back in time to look and listen to the music that changed the world!

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