The fall session of one-day bus trips has a full schedule this year. We will kick off the season with “No Town Like Motown” at the Ives Auditorium in Bloomington, followed by “Beetlejuice” at the Orpheum and “Million Dollar Quartet” at the Old Log. If you have not experienced the “Lunch and Lock” Cruise on the Mississippi River, try it this year! We have many community members that have made this trip a fall tradition. The paddleboat takes us through Lock and Dam #1 – it's a very relaxing day on the river.
New this year is the “Amish Country Tour” in Harmony, MN. We will visit several Amish farms, learn about their way of life, and enjoy lunch at The Branding Iron Restaurant in Preston. The Chanhassen is excited to feature “Jersey Boys” this fall – “it is a jukebox musical with music by Bob Gaudio, lyrics by Bob Crewe, and book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice. It's presented in a documentary-style format that dramatizes the formation, success, and eventual break-up of the 1960s rock 'n' roll group, The Four Seasons.” It has been so popular that we are offering three trip dates, the Chanhassen is especially wonderful during the holidays. We will also be attending three matinees in the Fireside Theater: “A Three Tenors Christmas,” “Rock & Roll Xmas Spectacular,” and “North Country Christmas” featuring Kat Perkins, a finalist on NBC’s The Voice.
One of the best-kept secrets in the Twin Cities is the St. Paul History Theatre, its mission is to “entertain, educate, and engage through creating, developing, and producing new and existing works that explore Minnesota's past and the diverse American experience. Its work provides a unique lens which links our past to the present, explores our common heritage, and illuminates our understanding of what it means to be American.” The shows at the History Theatre this fall include “Boy Wonder” about Harold Stassen, the youngest governor in Minnesota history, in 1938 and “I am Betty Crocker,” which highlights how Betty Crocker has helped shape America's homes and appetites for over a century. Following a History Theater show, we always enjoy lunch at a St. Paul restaurant.
One of our favorite one-stop venues is the Ives Auditorium in Bloomington. Shows this fall include “The Marvelous Wonderettes,” a jukebox musical comedy that uses pop songs from the 1950s and 1960s as a vehicle to tell its story, paying homage to the high school Songleader squads of the 50s. "Cinderella and Waffles with Santa” will be a fun way to kick off the holiday season with children or grandchildren. The Ives is also featuring a "HONKY TONK HOLIDAY" in December. Included in the price of these trips is a homemade lunch that never disappoints.
And then there is the Orpheum! This fall, we will have the opportunity to take in “Company” with music by Bob Dylan, “Aladdin,” “Mrs. Doubtfire,” and buy tickets for “Lion King” coming in April 2024. Make sure to watch your emails for updates on all of these performances. All Orpheum tickets are for main floor seating.
And last but not least are the non-theater outings we have planned for you. We will again attend the Autumn Festival at Canterbury Park in Shakopee in early November. In December, we will make our “Jingle All the Way” annual tour—this year we will visit the Olde Fashioned Holiday Bazaar at the Landmark Center in St. Paul and then enjoy lunch at Bachman’s on Lyndale’s at Patrick’s Bakery and Café. Following lunch, we will tour Bachman’s Holiday Idea House. For an evening meal experience, enjoy “Christmas in the City” - a trip to downtown Stillwater followed by an incredible holiday dinner at the Lake Elmo Inn.