Akron Ohio's Carousel Dinner Theater has “expect the unexpected” as its motto.

People place prime importance on their leisure time. 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 that boast is true or not, Carousel is amongst the top. 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. People can go there for the traditional dinner and a show, or see the show while skipping the meal . More theater people from New York have flocked there recently. As a result show quality has improved.

”Wicked” has been a very popular play . This is a story that takes place before the Wizard of Oz and involves many of the witches in that world. Patrons are urged to see the story that started it all, as Carousel is currently showing the Wizard of Oz. The frame around the stage that moves the sets around, the Proscenium, is very intricate. Carousel maintains a Wizard of Oz blog at http://carouseldinnertheatre.blogspot.com . Yes, plays like many people now have their own web sites.

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. ”The Odd Couple” brought down the house in 2008. Others include Annie, Grease and even the Sound of Music. Here you can enjoy good food and Broadway without going to Broadway. High School Musical will play there in 2009.

Get a feel for New York elegance at the Carousel Dinner Theater. Take a look, you might be surprised.