February 4, 2015

A widely popular comedic dinner theatre event that brings renaissance music to life, Drexel’s Madrigal Dinner was launched 25 years ago by Performing Arts Department Head Dr. Steven Powell. The event celebrates the origins of chamber music as it would have been presented during the Elizabethan age, when one would have experienced it not as part of a formal audience but as a participant in a madcap social event. Fully costumed actors engage guests in theatrical capers, and guests are encouraged (but of course not required) to also come in costume.

Through its several vocal and musical ensembles, the Performing Arts department provides an opportunity for students from across the University to engage with the arts; while they may not be professionally pursuing performance degrees, they’re able to keep their passion and talent alive through these performance opportunities. The Drexel Chamber Singers includes students from a wide variety of disciplines, ranging from biomedical engineering to nursing to culinary studies. 

Dinner will be served family-style, as it would have been served in 16^th century courts. The menu includes Potage Jacqueline (butternut bisque); roast capon (chicken) or salmon with roasted potatoes, turnips and peas; artisan breads and upside down warm apple tart.

For the special anniversary event, Chamber Singers alumni and past Madrigal performers will be offered discounted tickets to help celebrate this tradition that has long been part of the Drexel experience. Tickets including dinner are $21.95, while $3 balcony seats are available to students who would like to watch the event without joining the feast. A ten percent discount is also offered to groups of ten or more, and families are encouraged to attend. For more information, please contact the Performing Arts Department at 215-895-2451.