Tribute performer brings his own work to Chanhassen

  • 2026-11-10
A performer who has shared “Billy & Elton: The Hits” show with audiences is now set to perform his own material.

Phil Thompson has performed across the globe in such venues as the MGM Grand in Macau; and Caesars Palace and Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. He has appeared at some of the world’s most important sporting events including the U.S. Open Tennis Tournament held in New York. Phil has been the headliner on themed cruises such as the Dine & Music, and the Smooth Jazz and Wine voyage, appearing with stars such as Peabo Bryson and Kenny Loggins, and has opened for artists including The Tenors, and Rod Stewart.

At the upcoming show, Thompson will perform his original arrangements of favorite holiday tunes, all reworked to make the piano the star. Songs include Sara Bareilles’s “Wintersong”; Elton John’s “Step into Christmas”; “Wonderful Christmastime” by Paul McCartney; and the iconic, anthem-like “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen.

Several of the songs are choreographed to match a video, including “Christmastime is Here” from “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” and “Walking in the Air” from “The Snowman.”

An eight-piece band will back Thompson at the concert, which is scheduled for December 19 at the Fireside Theatre in the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres. He will perform twice, at 1.00 pm and 7.30 pm. Audiences enjoy learning about performers, and organizers can help by using brochure printing to create programs listing the songs and providing an artist’s biography.