The first book about the dinner theatre genre and industry, Dinner Theatre: A Survey and Directory, is part history, part manual, and part reference guide. Written at the practical level, the book presents advice on operating a dinner theatre, with insights from practitioners, performers, and other professionals in the field. Beginning with an introduction to the variety and range of dinner theatre operations and a historical perspective, it proceeds to examine the two major components, food service and productions, and the business concerns that stem from running a composite restaurant and theatre. Selective well-known and successful dinner theatres are profiled with data on operational statistics and staffing as well as historical notes and commentary. A geographical directory of dinner theatres throughout the United States follows.

The volume concludes with a listing of information sources, including associations, unions, rental/royalty houses, periodicals, and suppliers. Views of representative theatres and productions and a selection of menus illustrate the work. The book will be a useful resource for persons working in the industry on the productions, food, and business ends, purveyors of services to the industry, and researchers and patrons seeking information about it.