Letter Of Intent Signed By Chanhassen Dinner Theatre

A Letter of Intent has been executed for the purchase of Chanhassen Dinner Theatres. Michael Brindisi Chanhassen Resident Artistic Director and Vice President, and Steven L. Peters Owner and President of VenuWorks, are leading a local group of investors who hope to close the deal with current Chanhassen Dinner Theatres' owner and producer Thomas K. Scallen, by the end of February 2010.

For over a year, Scallen has been actively seeking a buyer for the dinner theatres. "It's extremely meaningful to know that my artistic colleague Michael Brindisi, and my good friend and long-time colleague Steve Peters, will uphold the legacy we've worked diligently to preserve for this community," said Scallen. "We know Chanhassen Dinner Theatres will be in capable hands and will continue to thrive."

Brindisi and Peters' teaming 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. 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.

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 seventeen states across the country. Peters has been a longtime friend of Scallen for over 20 years. "We developed our friendship during the years when Tom's renowned entertainment companies, Ice Capades and Harlem Globetrotters, appeared year after year in our venues," said Peters. "It's a friendship I've valued greatly and we've managed to steadily maintain it despite the fact that we live in different cities. Over the years Tom has graciously hosted us for nearly every Chanhassen opening since he's owned the theatre. It is an honor to be following in Tom's footsteps at the Chanhassen."

The Brindisi - Peters' partnership makes good sense. Brindisi grasps the business of Chanhassen Dinner Theatres and knows its audiences, and Peters has solid expertise and resources to streamline business practices and strengthen efficiencies. Peters already has ideas to create new profit centers for the theatre. He said, "Chanhassen's on-site scenic and costume design shops could be further utilized to build touring productions, and we're interested in marketing Chanhassen's successful student theatre camp concept to other communities. There is a great deal of future potential." Peters continued, "But one thing is absolutely certain. All intentions are to remain in Chanhassen." We are the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres in Chanhassen." Peters went on to state that the new company will continue to honor all advance ticket sales and all gift certificates purchased prior to the sale. "All guest purchases are completely safe with us," he said.

Shows currently on sale include OKLAHOMA playing on the Main Stage through January 23 and FOOTLOOSE opening on January 29th, also on the Main Stage. Running on the Fireside Stage through the spring is the world premiere musical of the 7th Nunsense installment, NUNSET BOULEVARD. The first order of business will be to determine the future production schedule. "This will be happening quickly as audiences are eager to know what's next so they can make their plans," said Brindisi. In addition, employee meetings will begin taking place.

This is a highly anticipated announcement for Brindisi whose four-decade history with Chanhassen Dinner Theatres represents his affection and dedication to the institution, its audiences and its nearly 300 employees, "I've 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 has carried on the same traditions for the past 21 years. At this juncture, I'm 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. 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.

ABOUT VENUWORKS: VenuWorks is well known for its success in providing full management services for arenas, theaters, and convention centers, which are primarily under the governance of municipalities, counties, colleges, and universities. VenuWorks, headquartered in Ames, Iowa, serves 33 facilities in 17 communities in 11 states. It also manages food and beverage operations and provides event booking and promotion services. VenuWorks also performs feasibility studies and consulting work for clients with existing and prospective public assembly facilities.

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