Barter Theatre

Abingdon, Virginia

Barter Theatre is the State Theatre of Virginia and is located in historic Abingdon Virginia. Open since 1933, Barter is one of the longest running professional theatres in the nation. With various year-round productions, the theater has been entertaining guests for generations.

Today, Barter is one of the last year-round professional resident repertory theaters remaining in the United States. Many well-known stars of stage, screen and television have performed early in their careers at Barter, including Gregory Peck, Ernest Borgnine, Patricia Neal, Ned Beatty, John Glover and Wayne Knight.

The theater’s location, Abingdon, is a lovely town in the Blue Ridge Mountains that has a rich history, culture and majestic scenery and is an ideal destination for a motor coach. Located within the Abingdon Historic District, Barter Theatre provides a sensational on-site dining and catering experience for guests.

In 2020, Barter will present a variety of entertaining shows, including Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5 The Musical; Grace and Glorie, a funny and moving play about two strong and stubborn women; The Wizard of Oz; The Charitable Sisterhood of the Second Trinity Victory Church, a play featuring a multitude of laughs; Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, A Christmas Carol and many more.

Barter Theatre is group-friendly as it offers group rates that vary, but can be as much as 50 percent off single ticket prices. Barter also offers complimentary tickets to the organizers of groups and media organizations. Barter provides complimentary services such as group itineraries you can customize, a free step tour guide to welcome your group, assistance with lodging needs and more. Guests can arrange their visits in advance and be introduced to lodging, dining and attraction partner experiences. Barter also provides behind-the-scenes tours, actor-led talk-backs and even workshops that can be adapted to the needs of your group.

Barter offers easy access for everyone in your group, including ramp entrances, fully handicapped-accessible buildings and assistive listening devices for the hearing impaired.

Website: bartertheatre.com

Chaffin’s Barn Dinner Theatre

Nashville, Tennessee

Chaffin’s Barn Theatre was conceived in the early 1960s and eventually expanded to 27 locations during its heyday. Today, Chaffin’s Barn in Nashville and The Barn in Greensboro, North Carolina, are the only remaining properties for the original chain and are still performing shows and serving delicious food for audiences.

This coming season offers a variety of spectacular performances for both on-stage shows and backstage shows. Some on-stage shows include Ray Stevens’ Mississippi Squirrel Revival (May 14-23),The Sound of Music (June 18- July 18) and Holiday Extravaganza: Irving Berlin’s White Christmas (November 19-December 20). Backstage shows will include The Detective Diaries (June 12-13), Red, White and Tuna (July 30-August 22) and Cookin’ With Gus (October 8-29), to name a few.

Chaffin’s Theatre offers educational classes and student show programs throughout the year and dance classes are offered on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. Chaffin’s hosts a variety of events throughout the year including a Barn Big Band fundraiser (July 24), a Barn Dating Game Take Two (July 25) and a fabulous New Year’s Eve Party.

Tickets are sold separately from the dinner. A full menu or buffet is offered with soup and a salad bar. Dinner is served during Friday and Saturday evening shows and on Sundays the food is served from noon to 1:30 p.m.

Group rates include show only and gratuity ($36 per person for groups of 12 or more). Dinner and show with gratuity is $55 per person for groups of 12 of more and is available for evening/Sunday matinee shows only. Individual rates are $47 for a show ticket per person and dinner is sold separately. Student tickets are offered for $25 and children who are 12 years and younger for $18.

Website: chaffinsbarntheatre.com

Dallas Summer Musicals

Dallas, Texas

Dallas Summer Musicals is the preeminent nonprofit presenter of Broadway theater in North Texas. Dallas Summer Musicals presents and promotes excellence in live musical theater with year-round performances for diverse audiences of all ages, impacting the lives of children and families through community outreach and education.

In 1941, Dallas Summer Musicals was founded, originally calling itself Opera Under the Stars in the Band Shell at Fair Park. Without the aid of modern air conditioning, performances were better enjoyed in the fresh air outdoors. Today, Dallas Summer Musicals has made advancements in many ways, including student programs, special events, backstage tours, and more, but has maintained its original charm throughout the years.

Dallas Summer Musicals has a rich history of performances, awards and stars that have been involved in productions. In years past, these shows have included amazing performances of classics like The Sound of Music, Peter Pan, The King and I, and Cinderella Hamilton and Disney’s The Lion King and Frozen. Stars such as Blake Shelton, Vanessa Williams, Cathy Rigby and many more have performed at Dallas Summer Musicals and have won numerous awards including Tony, Olivier and Drama Desk awards.

Upcoming shows include exciting newer musicals like Hadestown, which tells the Greek Mythology of Orpheus from May 18-30. Other great musicals that will take place this year include To Kill A Mockingbird, Frozen, Jersey Boys, Oklahoma, and Wicked.

Groups will receive 10-15% off individual pricing depending on the show. Student rates and scout rates are also offered and military veterans and their families are also given discounted prices. Since 2015, DSM musicals have incorporated a Seats for Vets initiative to ensure war

veterans feel appreciated for their service. DSM offers two fantastic dining options: The Crystal Terrace presents a large beautiful buffet and The Bistro, which presents a casual setting and open dining area.

Website: dallassummermusicals.org

Disney on Broadway

New York, New York

Disney’s first Broadway musical, a stage adaptation of its popular animated film Beauty and the Beast, forever changed the theatrical landscape when it opened on April 18, 1994. Twenty-five years later, Beauty and the Beast is remembered as the show that not only introduced Disney to the stage, but revealed the magic and enchantment of Broadway to many audiences for the very first time.

With Beauty and the Beast, Disney launched a commitment to Broadway and New York City, anchored by the power and delight of live theater. Nowhere is this more evident than at the New Amsterdam Theatre in Times Square. Built in 1903, the theater was long considered the crown jewel of Broadway houses. In 1995, after two years of extensive renovation and restoration, the New Amsterdam reopened with King David, followed by The Lion King. Today, it’s the home of the hit musical Aladdin, and remains an example of Disney’s dedication to ensuring that Times Square continues to thrive as a hub for creativity and entertainment. 

Disney on Broadway has proudly introduced audiences on Broadway and around the world to musicals filled with wonder and joy, including the Broadway hits Aladdin and Frozen, as well as Aida, Mary Poppins, Newsies, Tarzan, The Little Mermaid, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Peter and the Starcatcher. Looking back on 25 years, Disney is proud to be part of the Broadway community.

All of Disney on Broadway’s shows perform eight times a week and guests can enjoy a Behind the Magic Tour, where they can explore how a Broadway show comes to life in a private tour. Disney on Broadway’s comp policy is 1 per 50 paid tickets, subject to block outdates. When booking directly, Disney does not add any order or service fees.

Website: disneyonbroadway.com

The Fireside Dinner Theatre

Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin

The Fireside Dinner Theatre in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin is one of the Midwest’s most popular entertainment destinations and the only Actor’s Equity dinner theatre in Wisconsin. Celebrating its 56^th year of Klopcic family hospitality and its 43^rd season of professional theatre, The Fireside is a favorite destination for couples, families and tour groups. Its facility-wide renovation is underway with most of the dining rooms completed and looking fabulous.

This season, The Fireside has an abundance of quality shows that will entertain its patrons. The show schedule includes A Mighty Fortress is Our Basement (April 16-May 31); What Happens in Vegas (June 4-July 19); Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella (July 23-September 6); Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (September 10-October 25); and Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn (October 29-December 27).

Tickets include dining options so guests can enjoy dinner and a show. The menus vary by show and performance times. Most shows come with the offer of a three-course dinner and on Thursday evenings, Fireside will feature a signature buffet. Sunday matinees feature a provided brunch buffet.

Fireside provides groups with rates of $2 off the individual ticket price available to parties of 18 or more. Further discounts of an additional $3 off are available when guests attend a performance within the first four weeks of the show’s run. Groups can also be exempt from paying gratuity and ticket processing, saving up to 20% overall. Fireside also gives a complimentary ticket with every 18 tickets for weekday matinees and 21 purchased for other performances. Fireside is accessible to guests with disabilities and provides guests with on-site free parking.

Fireside offers educational seminars to medium to large school groups of 18 or more on weekday matinees, pending staff and the availability of space. It is a fun opportunity for passionate students to join in and learn more about theatre.

Website: firesidetheartre.com

Pines Dinner Theatre

Allentown, Pennsylvania

Escape the ordinary at the Pines Dinner Theatre, Lehigh Valley’s most unique dining and show experience, celebrating its 11^th season in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

Located in Allentown’s West End Theatre District, Pines Dinner Theatre will provide guests with a great afternoon or evening of entertainment at a price that won’t break the bank. Your ticket includes almost everything you need, including a full-course dinner including fresh-baked bread, salad, choice of entree and dessert followed by an uproariously entertaining production performed by professional entertainers from across the country. The Pines Dinner Theatre has been consistently ranked among the top dinner theaters in the country including one of the Top 10 unmissable dinner theaters by culturetrip.com.

Your visit begins with dinner, where the culinary staff prepares the entrée fresh for every guest. While the menu is always changing, guest favorites include the slow-roasted homestyle pot roast, honey Dijon pork loin or chicken caprese, to name a few. If you’re still hungry, make sure to try some of our the a la carte options including made-from-scratch French onion soup or grilled shrimp skewers. For dessert, upgrade to a decadent triple chocolate brownie sundae or sampler trio. After dinner, sit back, relax and enjoy a show performed and directed by professionals from across the country. Pines’ 2020 season includes Nunsensations: The Nunsense Vegas Revue from March 20 – May 10, Red Hot and Country from May 22 – June 21, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels from July 3 – August 23, and Midlife: The Crisis Musical from September 11 – October 25.

No matter what time of year you visit, you’re guaranteed an evening of entertainment that you’ll be talking about for weeks to come.

Website: pinesdinnertheatre.com

Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts

Vienna, Virginia

Wolf Trap National Park is the only National Park dedicated to the performing arts. As partner to the National Park Service, the Wolf Trap Foundation provides an extensive array of over 200 performances of diverse artists, dance, opera, and theater at three distinctive performance venues. It is dedicated to creating a wide variety of excellent performing arts experiences for the enrichment, education, and enjoyment of diverse audiences. 

Wolf Trap National Park is a majestic natural setting and home to the architecturally stunning Filene Center. Surrounded by rolling meadows and tall trees, the 117-acre Park offers dining and hospitality amenities throughout the summer season, and year-round recreational opportunities, including hiking trails, picnic areas, and sledding. Three event decks overlooking the scenery are available for rental.

Shows this summer include, The SpongeBob Musical (6/12-13), Riverdance 25^th Anniversary Show (6/18-21), Indigo Girls with Ani DiFranco (6/23), Fantasia (7/26), Steve Martin and Martin Short (8/1-2), and Grace Potter (8/8).
Groups, kids, and families can share the thrill of live performances each summer at the 700-seat Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods—located just across the meadow from the Filene Center in beautiful Wolf Trap National Park.

The Barns at Wolf Trap, built from two restored 18^th-century barns, is an intimate 382-seat theater offering performances year round. One barn serves as the theater and the other as a cozy gathering area. Like the Filene Center, The Barns offers performances from all genres. In the summer, it is home to the Grammy-nominated Wolf Trap Opera, one of America’s outstanding resident ensemble programs for early career opera singers.

All Groups save on tickets! Groups of 20+ for Filene Center or 10+ for The Barns or Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods receive personalized service and perks including: waived service charges and fees, flexible payment options, priority ticketing, transportation and event planning, as well as additional discounts on in-house seats for select shows.

Website: wolftrap.org