In a 1998 article for American Theatre, writer James Oseland states that “while it’s easy to be cynical about the genre, for countless Americans it is the only kind of theatre they know–or care to know.” While this is a somewhat pessimistic and arguably outdated quote, there is some merit to it. Many Americans who are not introduced to arts at a young age become hesitant to participate. One remedy, per Oseland’s quotes, is to find ways to make the arts more comfortable for the unartistic individual. This can be done with gimmicks, like adding a dinner component to enhance the theatre -going experience or gift certificates (which most dinner theatres offer). While dinner theatre is a specific subset of theatre, using dinner theatre to generate participation in theatre will spark interest in and awareness of the performing arts. Additionally, this is an easily commercialized model and these are some of the most successful theatre companies.

A more critical component of this article is the deep roots Oseland finds for dinner theatre in the cultural landscape of America. His discussion focuses on the Drury Lane Oakbrook Dinner Theatre in Illinois, the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre in Minnesota, and the Carousel Dinner Theatre in Ohio. These are three very different venues of different sizes and price points. Using these examples, he talks a lot about the evolution from dinner theatre and how it has been transitioning from a casual family event to an upscale evening out. Many dinner theatres who did not make these changes have, unfortunately, disappeared. In researching the topic of American Dinner Theatre, I was genuinely surprised at some of the price points and how impressive some of the venues were. It will be exciting to see if the art of dinner theatre continues to develop in this direction or if there will ever be a return to the days of casual family fun.

Regardless, dinner theatre’s importance to both the performing arts and to American culture cannot be overstated. Even in today’s more exclusive context, this classic combination is one of the easiest ways to attract an audience and get people to interested in theatre.  On a base level, it is also easier to convince people of the value of a ticket that includes a meal. Whether the company is a smaller venue playing on nostalgia and comfort or a larger venue offering something for special occasions, dinner theatre will continue to be the most appealing and most easily understood forms of performance.

Oseland, James. “Dinner Theatre, U.S.A.” American Theatre 15.4 (1998): 22. Academic Search Premier. Web. 30 Nov. 2015.