“Expect the Unexpected” is the motto of the Carousel Dinner Theater in Akron Ohio.  With people busier than ever in the past, recreation time is more important than it’s ever been.  As a result they select dinner theater for entertainment.

Like many dinner theaters Carousel claims to be the largest professional dinner theater in America.  Whether it really is the largest or not, it is one of the best.  Carousel hires members of the American Federation of Musicians, Actors Equity Association and Society of Directors and Choreographers.  That’s not just because the like the unions.  It’s a matter of ensuring that every element of the production is undertaken by serious professionals.

Born in a converted supermarket in 1973, Carousel moved to its current digs in 1988.  The theater accommodates patrons looking for both dinner and a show, as well as those who want to skip the meal but see the show .  More theater people from New York have flocked there recently.  Shows are now even better than ever.

”Wicked” has been a very popular play .  This is the back story of the witches from the Wizard of Oz.  Patrons are urged to see the story that started it all, as Carousel is currently showing the Wizard of Oz.  This production boasts a colorful Proscenium, which is the frame around the stage that rotates the different sets into place.  This and other details of the play are discussed on Carousel’s Wizard of Oz blog at http://carouseldinnertheatre.blogspot.com .  Blogs are fairly new for plays.

Given its proximity to Broadway and the attraction to New York theater professionals, over the years the Carousel has hosted quite a number of Broadway productions.  In 2008 “the Odd Couple” played there.  Others include Annie, Grease and even the Sound of Music.  Here you can enjoy good food and Broadway without going to Broadway.  In 2009 the theater hosts the very popular High School Musical.

Enjoy New York without the traffic at the Carousel Dinner Theater.  Take a look, you might be surprised.