Our Top Theater Choices for 2015

Leisure Group Travel spotlights 16 theaters, from Maine to Las Vegas, that will entertain groups with outstanding comedy, drama, music or dance performances—and some include a meal, too.

Why do we go to the theater? There are many reasons this form of entertainment has been around for thousands of years—and is still thriving, especially as a staple in group tour itineraries. Whether you’re in the mood for music, laughs, or even to enjoy a meal while you watch, we present 16 outstanding theater options.

2. Blue Man Group Las Vegas

Las Vegas

Blue Man Group’s show at Monte Carlo is an energetic and innovative combination of music, comedy and multimedia theatrics. For years, guests have been drawn to Blue Man Group’s unique form of entertainment. Exploring themes of community, collaboration and creativity, groups leave the theaters feeling connected and energized by their shared experience. Whatever the purpose or size of your group, Blue Man Group can accommodate your needs or even customize the show specifically for you. (702-697-1655, blueman.com/lasvegas)

3. Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre

Fort Myers, Florida

Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, celebrating its 21st season, entertains over 170,000 guests annually on Florida’s Gulf Coast. The facility includes a 450-seat dinner theater; a 100-seat “black-box” theater called The Off Broadway Palm Theatre; a 120-seat dining room called Café Cabaret; and The Art Café, a 30-seat space just off the main lobby. 2015’s performances include Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Church Basement Ladies, Footloose, Some Enchanted Evening, Million Dollar Quartet and A Wonderful Life. (239-278-4422, broadwaypalm.com)

4. Chaffin’s Barn Dinner Theatre

Nashville, Tennessee

In its 49th season, Chaffin’s Barn Dinner Theatre is a top Nashville attraction with more than a million in total attendance. “The Barn,” established in the early 1960s, is the second oldest professional dinner theater in the nation. The facility features a magic stage, seats 296 and includes the Backstage Theater for smaller groups of up to 60. This year, you can see Good Ol’ Girls, Cliffhanger, Nobody’s Perfect, All Shook Up, Arsenic and Old Lace, Alone Together, Yule Ta’ll and Murder at the Howard Johnson’s. (800-282-2276, dinnertheatre.com)

5. Das Dutch Village Inn

Columbiana, Ohio

Inspired by the Pennsylvania Dutch, nestled in the hills of northeastern Ohio, Das Dutch Village Inn is a charming Colonial-style hotel with a year-round professional dinner theater on site presenting musicals, mysteries and stories of faith and joy. This season, Das Dutch Village Inn’s dinner theater will present No Clue, The Jesus Stories, A Laughter, Music and Mystery Tour with the Walking Roots Band, Dove Tail, Boogie Woogie Baby, Broadway Memories and Michael Sonata’s Tribute to Ol’ Blue Eyes. (866-482-5050 ext. 310, dasdutchvillage.com/theater)

6. Derby Dinner Playhouse

Clarksville, Indiana

Derby Dinner Playhouse is known for its professional productions of Broadway musicals and lighthearted comedies. Productions feature a live orchestra, earning Derby Dinner Playhouse national recognition for its new musicals. The 2015-2016 seasons present Social Security, Peter Pan, Church Basement Ladies in The Last Potluck Supper, Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, Southern Fried Funeral, Into the Woods and Legally Blonde. (877-898-8577, derbydinner.com)

7. Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre

Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre, in its 27th year, provides top-quality productions and award-winning food to over 150,000 guests annually. Located in the heart of the Amish Country in southeastern Pennsylvania, the 380-seat theater has a simple yet sophisticated charm. 2015’s season features Funny Girl, Les Miserables, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!, West Side Story, Church Basement Ladies: A Mighty Fortress and A Christmas Story. (717-898-1900, dutchapple.com)

8. Jackson Hole Playhouse

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Jackson Hole Playhouse is an intimate, charming, 362-seat theater. Situated in the heart of Jackson’s original town site, the playhouse is the oldest building in town at 99 years old. Before the curtain rises, dine at the Saddle Rock Saloon and be served by a gun-slinging singing waiter from the show. This season presents Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Steel Magnolias, The Bikinis, Ghost Stories at the Playhouse and Snowed in for Christmas. (307-733-6994, jacksonholeplayhouse.com)

9. Maine State Music Theatre

Brunswick, Maine

Maine State Music Theatre (MSMT) is a professional summer theater celebrating 57 years of Broadway-quality musicals at the Pickard Theater on the Bowdoin Campus. See a show at MSMT and enjoy all that the Southern Midcoast Maine Region can offer, including miles of coastline with sandy beaches. MSMT’s group concierge helps you plan lodging and dining options, recreational add-ons and more. 2015’s season presents The Full Monty, Sister Act, The Music Man and Young Frankenstein. (207-725-8769, msmt.org)

10. New York City Ballet

New York

New York City Ballet is one of the foremost dance companies in the world. Founded in 1948, it’s world-renowned for its athletic and contemporary style. At Lincoln Center for the remainder of the 2015 season, see Balanchine’s Black & White ballets, the 2015 Spring Gala featuring Bournonville’s La Slyphide and Bournonville Divertissements, West Side Story Suite, Symphony in C, Balanchine’s Sonatine pas de deux, Martins’ Symphonic Dances and, to finish off the season, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. (212-870-4071, nycballet.com)

11. Oh Canada Eh? Dinner Theatre

Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada

Canada’s award-winning and longest-running dinner musical, Oh Canada Eh? Dinner Show, has entertained over 600,000 guests from around the world since opening in 1994. The 236-seat log cabin theater is located 10 minutes from the brink of Niagara Falls. Oh Canada Eh? Dinner Show performs April through October each year. Also showing this year is The Rocky Horror Show, Holiday Season Musical and Cabar-Eh? New Years Celebration. (800-467-2071, ohcanadaeh.com)

12. Pines Dinner Theatre

Allentown, Pennsylvania

Pines Dinner Theatre, the Lehigh Valley’s premier professional dinner theater, offers mouth-watering food, spectacular shows and a down-home, country-casual atmosphere. The 2015 season is presenting Breaking Up Is Hard To Do, Phantom of the Opry: An Interactive Hillbilly Who-Dun-It, The Andrews Brothers and Grease. (610-433-2333, pinesdinnertheatre.com)

13. Rainbow’s Comedy Playhouse

Paradise, Pennsylvania

Rainbow’s Comedy Playhouse is America’s only all-comedy dinner theater. Owned and operated by a witty husband and wife, Rainbow’s Comedy Playhouse has been producing Broadway and original comedies since 1984. Dinner includes a salad served upon arrival and a choice of four entrees. For dessert, choose from a selection of cakes and pies. This year’s performances include The Hallelujah Girls, Too Many Cooks, Over the River and Through the Woods and Good Night Mrs. Puffin. (800-292-4301, rainbowcomedy.com)

14. Skylight Music Theatre

Milwaukee

A night spent at Skylight is an exciting and fulfilling experience that is great to share with others. Perfect for gatherings, group tours, social and business outings, or any special occasion, Skylight offers benefits to groups of 10 or more to ensure a memorable musical experience. Located in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward, Skylight has been internationally recognized as a producer of the full spectrum of musical theater for over 50 years. This year, see Tosca, My Fair Lady, Powder Her Face, Crowns and Pirates of Penzance. (414-299-4964, skylightmusictheatre.org)

15. The Fireside Dinner Theatre

Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin

 

Since 1964, The Fireside Dinner Theatre has been a leading Midwest destination for musicals featuring Broadway performers, fine dining and boutique shops in a unique setting. In its 51st year in the restaurant business and 38th season of professional theater, The Fireside runs seven shows weekly year-round with a variety of menus. The Fireside this year will be presenting All Shook Up, Guys on Ice, Pump Boys and Dinettes, West Side Story and A Wonderful Life. (800-477-9505, firesidetheatre.com)

16. The Palace Theater

Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin

The 800-seat Palace Theater—Wisconsin Dells’ newest professional theater—presents classic Broadway musicals and Disney favorites. The theater will produce an annual subscription series of three to four family-friendly shows, while serving a sumptuous meal or snack included in every ticket price. Additionally, The Palace will host nationally known bands and comedians for concert engagements. 2015’s season presents Pinkalicious, The Little Mermaid, Ring of Fire, Lombardi, A Christmas Carol and The Nutcracker. (608-253-4000, dellspalace.com)

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