What Are the Different Theatres at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres Used For?

Chanhassen Dinner Theatres (CDT) uses four distinct venues, each matched to a different kind of show: the Main Stage for large-scale musicals, the Playhouse Theatre for comedy and drama, the Club Theatre for special events like dance nights, and the Fireside Theatre for the concert series. Which one you book depends entirely on what you want to see — the venue name on a show listing tells you the format and atmosphere to expect.

Main Stage: Large-Scale Musicals and Drag Brunch

The Main Stage is CDT's flagship space, built for full-scale musical productions with elaborate staging, choreography, and storytelling. Current and recent examples from the site include:

• Annie — described as a "heart-warming musical blockbuster" on the Main Stage
• Disney's Newsies — a high-energy musical with "astounding choreography, unforgettable songs and inspirational storytelling," suited to audiences of all ages

The Main Stage also hosts Drag Brunch, hosted by Nina DiAngelo, featuring a full menu and performances from local and national drag artists. So the Main Stage isn't exclusively musicals — it's the venue for the biggest, most produced events on the calendar.

Choose it if: you want a major musical or a ticketed brunch event with a full production feel.

Playhouse Theatre: Comedy and Drama

The Playhouse is the intimate stage. Two listings show its range:

• Stevie Ray's Comedy Cabaret — improv comedy built from audience suggestions, performed in "a casual, relaxed atmosphere" with servers bringing drinks, appetizers, or a full meal from the Main Theatre menu.
• Tuesdays with Morrie — the drama based on Mitch Albom's New York Times bestseller, staged in what the site calls CDT's "intimate Playhouse Theatre stage."

Choose it if: you prefer a smaller room, a comedy night you can eat and drink through, or a serious play rather than a musical.

Club Theatre: Special Events and Dance Nights

The Club Theatre is used for themed special events. The example on the site is The Groove, a dance night "catered especially for those who still love to get out, move, and enjoy great music—but also appreciate being home at a reasonable hour." CDT describes it as a "judgment-free, harassment-free environment."

Choose it if: you want a social, music-driven night out rather than a seated theatrical performance.

Fireside Theatre: The Concert Series

The Fireside Theatre hosts the CDT Concert Series, which the site describes as featuring "some of the best tribute concerts in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota" with "the finest musicians in the region." Concerts are scheduled almost every weekend, so there's usually a date available for a night out.

Choose it if: live music is your priority and you want weekend scheduling flexibility.

Quick Comparison

How to Confirm Before You Book

Show listings on chanhassendt.com pair each production with its venue name (for example, "Musical — Main Stage" or "Comedy — Playhouse Theatre"). Check that label against the table above before purchasing, since the venue determines the room size, format, and atmosphere of your evening. The site also offers a Search by date tool if your schedule, rather than a specific show, is driving the decision.