Nearly 60 years ago, a movie hit the silver screen that has become the standard bearer for the Easter season ever since it's opening night. The movie was the 1948 "Easter Parade". The movie starred a few recognizable "hoofers" and "singers" such as Fred Astaire, Ann Miller and a Minnesota native, Judy Garland (Francis Gumm to close friends).

On Friday evening February 23, 2007, a historic event took place at the Chanhassen Dinner Theater in Chanhassen, Minnesota. For the very first time, IRVING BERLIN'S EASTER PARADE, a brand-new stage musical based on the classic 1948 MGM movie, gave its world premiere. Produced by arrangement with The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization on behalf of the Estate of Irving Berlin, and with the permission of Warner Bros. (owners of the film), IRVING BERLIN'S EASTER PARADE played to a full house.

IRVING BERLIN'S EASTER PARADE is directed by resident Artistic Director Michael Brindisi. Brindisi stated, "We are thrilled that the Irving Berlin family, and the Rogers & Hammerstein 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."

I was happy to be in the audience for the media premiere. For those who may remember seeing the movie in theaters (I'm going to date myself here and say that I did see it in the theater, but*.I was sitting on my Mother's lap) or for those who have rented the movie to view at home, you should be aware that the stage production is an adaptation of the movie. It would be nearly impossible to re-create every scene included in the movie. But director Michael Brindisi doesn't need to. This stage adaptation seemed to be a perfect fit for a live audience. Many of the memorable songs from the movie are included in this production and I watched as many theater goers were lip-syncing the familiar tunes as the actors belted them out on stage.

In fact, time after time my wife had to "shooosh" me when I got a bit carried away with my rendition of some of the songs. I'm sorry but sometimes it just feels right to vocalize a happy memory. To be "gender equal" I am happy to report that I caught my wife tapping her toes to the infectious song and dance numbers that fill the production. I guess what I'm saying and what the opening night audience seemed to confirm is that the Chanhassen's Easter Parade had everyone humming some familiar tunes from the play as they left the theater. Anytime you see a theater crowd leaving with smiles on their faces and chatting with others about this song or that song or this or that dance number, you can be assured a good time was had by all.

But then again it never hurts a production to have the assistance of songs written by Irving Berlin. Berlin wrote over 1200 songs, including "White Christmas," "Easter Parade," "Always," "Blue Skies," "Cheek to Cheek," "There's No Business Like Show Business," "Alexander's Ragtime Band," and "God Bless America."

It also doesn't hurt a production to have it presented at the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres*which is the nation's largest Equity dinner theatre in the nation. Over the years more than 8-million guests have been entertained.

And, should get an opportunity to see Easter Parade, you will be too!