Twenty minutes directly south of Sioux Falls resides the Olde Towne Dinner Theatre, tucked into the town of Worthing and home to one of the only places in the state that serves its guests dinner and a show. 

Before Olde Towne Dinner Theatre inhabited the building in 1982, the over 100-year-old structure was once home to the town grocery and furniture store, finally maturing into a dinner theatre for the arts.

Once the building was reimagined as Olde Towne Dinner Theatre, its mission became one to provide people a fine arts and dining experience that is affordable and high quality. Their goal is to “enrich, entertain, and educate the Sioux Falls region through performance, benevolence, and volunteer opportunities.”

For 35 years, they have done just that.

As a 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit organization, Olde Towne Dinner Theatre is for the community and of the community. Actors, cast, and crew are volunteers, as well as those that serve and bartend, creating an environment that is built on the goodness of hearts and a passion for the arts.

Former executive director Kristy Kayser (who has recently been replaced by Casey Ring) elaborates on the unique experience guests have at Olde Towne, describing it as a place for a “catch all date.”

“There aren’t many places in South Dakota where you can get dinner and entertainment without leaving your table,” said Kayser. “Not only are you giving yourself a well deserved night out, you’re supporting your community arts programs and are allowing us to do what we do best: feed you with fun and entertainment.”

For the dinner-and-a-show experience, guests receive a full four-course meal and production for $42 per person. For the dessert-only matinee option, guests receive dessert and a matinee show for $20.

Currently, Olde Towne is wrapping up their Fall Show and beginning to prepare their Holiday Show, the comedy A Tuna Christmas, starting November 30 and running through January. Along with each show transition will come a menu change (updated information can be found on their website).

“We always start off our meals with dinner rolls and soup. Shortly after soup is a delicious salad with our homemade candied pecans,” explained Kayser. “Your meat options are always beef, chicken, pork, or fish. The meat always comes with two sides, usually a starch and a vegetable. Our desserts are served at intermission and are always delicious.”

The rotation for the season is: a Fall Show, Holiday Show, Winter Show, and Spring Show every year.

Show Times:

Wednesday-Saturday
Doors at 6 P.M., Dinner at 6:30 p.m.

Sunday
Doors at 5 p.m., Dinner at 5:30 p.m.

Sunday Dessert-Only Matinée
Doors at 1:30 p.m., performances at 2 p.m.

The quality experience many have encountered at Olde Towne is one that continues to keep the shows running, the food served, and the people coming back (their website estimates they see around 8,500 attendees annually).

Further, Kayser admires Olde Towne as a unique part of culture in the state.

“Olde Towne is an important piece of the arts culture in South Dakota,” said Kayser. “Being one of the only year-round dinner theaters in the area has given South Dakotans and Iowans the opportunity to become regular patrons of a dinner theater when traveling more than four hours might hinder that opportunity.”

Plan your night out on the town with Olde Towne Dinner Theatre by calling (605) 372-4653 or visiting oldetownetheatre.org.

Food Favorites:

We asked Kayser to pick some of her favorite items that have been featured on the Olde Towne menu.

Entrees

Pepper crusted beef filet with a creamy peppercorn sauce
Baked chicken with a sun dried tomato hollandaise sauce
Hickory bourbon salmon

Desserts

Caramel chocolate brownie cheesecake
Lemon spring cake
Raspberry cream torte

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