My wife and I (and several of her coworkers) went to Celebrations Dinner Theatre last night.
For those who don't know what that is...they basically do a musical theatre production, and before the show and between acts a pleasant dinner is served with some banter from the server/actor among the guests.
This is the second show I've seen there (the first was CSI:Moosejaw), and it was written by the same writer of the last show I had seen. The premise is that everyone in the audience is there on a precursor of a theme (in this case the Cat Creek talent show), and we are all participants or spectators of the event.
The cast goes out of their way to involve the audience, and try to make you forget who you really are. With the outrageous characters they create and unwillingness to waiver from those characters...it creates an atmosphere of fun and imagination.
The food:
Would be a standard 4-course meal, with a soup, salad, choice of entree, and choice of dessert. I have no real complaints about the food itself...though the portions are not enormous...so enjoy the bread and maybe bring a big mac (Dean). The quality is average, but edible.
The drinks:
Are themed to the show as well. The ridiculous (another stoopid law) rule about ordering a full pitcher requiring extra glasses to be brought out makes it annoying...especially since it seems to take forever to get your drinks in the first place.
The service:
Is pretty good, especially considering EACH waiter/actor is not only serving about 20 people, but is also listening for cues to perform, and trying to stay in character. There were many times we sat waiting, only to hear our server apologize because she forgot to bring rolls or drinks. That said, when she did bring them, we got the bonus of a free drink or something on the side to compensate.
The Performance:
If you've never been...I'd recommend it. In general the songs are popular tunes (or at least memorable ones), and the show moves along. Random members of the audience are also brought on stage to participate and become performers themselves. They are even put in roles which have lines (the lines are read from offstage by another actor), and dance routines. A tribute is paid to anyone with a birthday or anniversary, and the performers have really honed some great improv skills to deal with audience members trying to be funnier than they are.
Altogether it costs about $40/person (give or take a drink or two)...but for a dinner and entertainment...you'd spend that much easily going to Kelseys and a Movie...and probably not have as much fun.
I think the only distraction I had was the trying to compare from the TV Show (Corner Gas) and the Theatre Production what little nuances they had incorporated. They did such a good job...it felt odd at times to see them on stage, and realize they can see me too...something you know doesn't happen through the TV.
For those who don't know what that is...they basically do a musical theatre production, and before the show and between acts a pleasant dinner is served with some banter from the server/actor among the guests.
This is the second show I've seen there (the first was CSI:Moosejaw), and it was written by the same writer of the last show I had seen. The premise is that everyone in the audience is there on a precursor of a theme (in this case the Cat Creek talent show), and we are all participants or spectators of the event.
The cast goes out of their way to involve the audience, and try to make you forget who you really are. With the outrageous characters they create and unwillingness to waiver from those characters...it creates an atmosphere of fun and imagination.
The food:
Would be a standard 4-course meal, with a soup, salad, choice of entree, and choice of dessert. I have no real complaints about the food itself...though the portions are not enormous...so enjoy the bread and maybe bring a big mac (Dean). The quality is average, but edible.
The drinks:
Are themed to the show as well. The ridiculous (another stoopid law) rule about ordering a full pitcher requiring extra glasses to be brought out makes it annoying...especially since it seems to take forever to get your drinks in the first place.
The service:
Is pretty good, especially considering EACH waiter/actor is not only serving about 20 people, but is also listening for cues to perform, and trying to stay in character. There were many times we sat waiting, only to hear our server apologize because she forgot to bring rolls or drinks. That said, when she did bring them, we got the bonus of a free drink or something on the side to compensate.
The Performance:
If you've never been...I'd recommend it. In general the songs are popular tunes (or at least memorable ones), and the show moves along. Random members of the audience are also brought on stage to participate and become performers themselves. They are even put in roles which have lines (the lines are read from offstage by another actor), and dance routines. A tribute is paid to anyone with a birthday or anniversary, and the performers have really honed some great improv skills to deal with audience members trying to be funnier than they are.
Altogether it costs about $40/person (give or take a drink or two)...but for a dinner and entertainment...you'd spend that much easily going to Kelseys and a Movie...and probably not have as much fun.
I think the only distraction I had was the trying to compare from the TV Show (Corner Gas) and the Theatre Production what little nuances they had incorporated. They did such a good job...it felt odd at times to see them on stage, and realize they can see me too...something you know doesn't happen through the TV.
