The longtime leader of Chanhassen Dinner Theatres died unexpectedly on Wednesday. Chanhassen Dinner Theatres announced Michael Brindisi died following a brief illness. "His extreme passion for life and his love for what we do here for our employees,

Michael Brindisi, Chanhassen Dinner Theatres’ president and artistic director, died unexpectedly Wednesday following a very brief illness. He was 76.

The theater community is remembering Michael Brindisi. The 76-year-old was the longtime artistic director and co-owner of the Chanhassen Dinner Theater. He passed away unexpectedly Wednesday after a brief illness.

His death comes two days before the opening of “Grease,” a show that was pivotal in his life and which will open as scheduled.

Since being named the Resident Artistic Director at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres 36 years ago, Michael Brindisi has directed all of the shows at the dinner theater, CDT said, more than 120 productions in total.

Beginning as an actor back in 1971 before shifting to directing in the late 80s, Brindisi spent countless hours on and around the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre stages.

GREASE, Chanhassen Dinner Theatres' most popular show, will return to the Main Stage for the first time in eight years. The original Rock ‘n’ Roll musical, GREASE, opens to a week of preview performances this week.