Cast members gathered Tuesday at the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres for the first meeting in preparation for the stage debut of Easter Parade. Here's the release from CDT:

IRVING BERLIN’S EASTER PARADE, a brand-new stage musical based on the classic 1948 MGM movie, celebrates its world premiere at the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres (CDT). Preview performances are February 9 through 22 with grand opening festivities on Friday, February 23. Produced by arrangement with The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization (R&H) on behalf of the Estate of Irving Berlin, and with the permission of Warner Bros. (owners of the film), IRVING BERLIN’S EASTER PARADE is co-developed by Chanhassen Dinner Theatres and R&H.

This world premiere is a significant opportunity for Chanhassen Dinner Theatres and draws attention to the Minnesota theatre community as a whole.  It’s remarkable because of the production’s size, and that it is fully-produced by a local theatre company.  “You could call it fully and wonderfully Minnesota-made,” stated Chanhassen Dinner Theatres’ owner and Executive Producer, Thomas K. Scallen.  He continued, “This exciting event marks a milestone in Twin Cities’ theatre history. It’s a testament to our (CDT) work and we are both thrilled and honored to take on the project.”

IRVING BERLIN’S EASTER PARADE is directed by CDT’s Resident Artistic Director, Michael Brindisi, and designed by the CDT artistic team.  The book for the musical will be written by Tom Briggs.   Brindisi stated, “We are thrilled that the Irving Berlin family, and the R&H Organization, are entrusting us with their work and allowing us the freedom to do it with our particular mark.   In my forty years in this business, I’ve never been part of anything like this.  This is the kind of opportunity one only dreams about.”

Ted Chapin, President of The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization, agrees.  “This is exciting for both organizations,” he said. “At R&H we are constantly looking for ways to create new properties, and movies are a great source for popular stage musicals.  Previously we helped develop FOOTLOOSE, STATE FAIR and WHITE CHRISTMAS for the stage, and we are extremely proud of how quickly they have become popular favorites.”

Chapin continued, “STATE FAIR” [by Rodgers & Hammerstein] has special relevance in this case:  the stage adaptation was co-written by our longtime colleague Tom Briggs, who is working on EASTER PARADE, and the first license we granted for STATE FAIR after Broadway was to Chanhassen.  I was lucky enough to come out to Chanhassen to see it; they did a superb job and I wasn’t surprised when it went on to a phenomenal 13-month run.  The chance to reunite Michael Brindisi, Chanhassen, Tom Briggs and R&H was too good to pass up.”

“The success of STATE FAIR,” recalled Brindisi, “launched an ongoing relationship between our two organizations in which the idea of future projects continued to be explored.  EASTER PARADE is the first of what we hope will be many such collaborations.” Brindisi also welcomed Tom Briggs’ participation:   “I am so excited about having the privilege to work side by side with Tom.  He is a smart, savvy theatre person with a great sense of the musical as an art form. But more importantly, he will bring a depth to the story, which will make it not only entertaining, but meaningful.”

IRVING BERLIN’S EASTER PARADE follows the hopes, dreams and loves of a classic song & dance team.  Along the way, they bring to life a bounty of great Berlin standards, including “Steppin’ Out With My Baby,” “Shakin’ The Blues Away,” “A Couple of Swells,” “It Only Happens When I Dance With You” and the time‑honored classic, “Easter Parade.”  The musical currently being created by Brindisi, Briggs and Co. will transform these songs into production numbers and showstoppers, filling the stage with lush colors, sizzling dance sequences and a magical story. Stated Brindisi, “It’s complete with all the warmth, charm and frilliness of the original film, plus it has a new, enhanced storyline to delight and surprise audiences.”

 Brindisi has assembled a cast of thirty. Twenty nine are local actors, one is Broadway song and dance veteran, Michael Gruber.  Gruber is best known for appearing in A Chorus Line (Mike), CATS (Munkustrap), Swing!, Miss Saigon and numerous others. Other principal roles are played by Ann Michels (Hannah), seen in Chanhassen Dinner Theatres in Anything Goes (Hope Harcourt) and in Midlife-The Crisis Musical, Michelle Barber (Nadine), fondly remembered for recent roles in Chanhassen’s CATS (Grizabella), Anything Goes (Reno Sweeney) and Beauty & The Beast (Mrs. Potts),and Keith Rice (Johnny) known and loved by Chanhassen audiences for roles in The Music Man (Harold Hill), Phantom (Phantom), Annie (Daddy Warbucks), and Brigadoon (Tommy Albright). Brindisi’s creative team includes: Thomas Mustachio (Musical Director), Tamara Kangas (Choreographer), Nayna Ramey (Scenic Designer), Sandra Nei Schulte (Costume Designer), Sue Ellen Berger (Lighting Designer), Russ Haynes (Sound Designer), Susan Magnuson (Hair/Makeup Designer) and Robin Macgregor (Production Stage Manager).  

IRVING BERLIN’S EASTER PARADE will enjoy a very limited four month run. It plays nightly Tuesday through Sunday, with matinees on Wednesdays and Saturdays through June 9, 2007. Ticket prices for dinner and show range from $50 to $70 per person; show only ticket range is $38 to $58 per person. Reserve through the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres’ box office at 952-934-1525 or 1(800)362-3515, or order online at chanhassendt.com