Hennepin Theatre Trust Unveils Stellar 2010/11 Broadway Musical Season

Highlights include Minnesota Debuts of Billy Elliot The Musical, the 2009 Tony Winner
for Best Musical, Rock of Ages and Shrek The Musical

MINNEAPOLIS—Today, Hennepin Theatre Trust announced a stellar 2010/11 Broadway Across America–Minneapolis Season showcasing a six-show slate of some of the nation’s best new touring musicals combined with returning favorites, all scheduled to play the Trust’s Orpheum Theatre in downtown Minneapolis. Programming highlights include the 2009 multiple Tony Award winning Billy Elliot The Musical, as well as an exuberant tribute to the 60s with HAIR and a celebration of the 80s with Rock of Ages. In other season standouts, Shrek The Musical comes to life, Jersey Boys returns by popular demand to recapture the Twin Cities and star-crossed lovers fight the odds in West Side Story, direct from the current Broadway revival. A summer special to the season, Wicked is back for six weeks starting in August. Season ticket packages go on sale Tuesday, April 13, 2010. Individual tickets will be available at a later date. Visit www.HennepinTheatreTrust.org for more information. For group tickets and reservations call 612.373.5665.

“We are thrilled to further enrich the vibrant cultural atmosphere of our community by bringing these outstanding Broadway touring productions to Minnesota audiences,” says Tom Hoch, President/CEO of Hennepin Theatre Trust. “These shows will create unforgettable opportunities for patrons of all ages to engage with family and friends, escape to other worlds and be uplifted by the stories that unfold on stage. We invite you to experience the unforgettable!”

Wicked returns by popular demand for a six week run August 11–Sept. 19, 2010. A special to the season, Broadway’s biggest blockbuster was called “the best musical of the decade” by Entertainment Weekly and broke box office records during sold out 2006 and 2008 Minneapolis engagements. Rock of Ages, set for Oct. 19–24, brings 80s music nostalgia back to the Orpheum with a classic rock love story—small town girl falls for Sunset Strip rocker—propelled by hits from Journey, Styx and REO Speedwagon. “Impossible to resist! As guilty as pleasures get,” says the New York Times.

The new year leaps forward with the Minnesota debut of Billy Elliot The Musical, winner of 10 Tony Awards including Best Musical, running Dec. 16, 2010–Jan. 9, 2011. Based on the international smash-hit film and featuring music by Elton John, Billy Elliot is the joyous celebration of one boy's journey to make his dreams come true. Set in a small town, the story follows Billy as he stumbles out of the boxing ring and into a ballet class, discovering a surprising passion that inspires his family and his whole community. Shrek The Musical, set for Feb. 1–6, 2011, is an unconventional fairy tale based on the 2001 film about the swamp-dwelling ogre who teams with a wise-cracking donkey to rescue a feisty princess and discovers true love and friendship along the way.

HAIR, winner of the 2009 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical, comes to the Orpheum Theatre March 1–6, 2011. This exuberant production about young people searching for peace and love in the dawning of an American new age still stirs hearts with some of the greatest songs ever written for the stage—“Aquarius,” “Let the Sun Shine In” and “Good Morning, Starshine.”

Jersey Boys, the Tony, Grammy and Olivier Award winning hit featuring the music of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, returns to the Orpheum Theatre April 21–May 8, 2011 following a popular, sold-out premiere 2008 engagement. This is the story about how a group of blue collar boys became one of America’s biggest pop music sensations with chart toppers including “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry” and “Oh What a Night.” The season culminates July 12–17, 2011 with the groundbreaking classic West Side Story. Featuring music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, this musical’s score is considered to be one of Broadway’s finest and features such classics of the American musical theatre as “Something’s Coming,” “Tonight,” “America,” “I Feel Pretty” and “Somewhere.” Directed by its two-time Tony Award-winning librettist Arthur Laurents, West Side Story features the original Jerome Robbins choreography restaged by Tony Award nominee Joey McKneely.

SEASON TICKET INFORMATION
Six-show season ticket packages go on sale Tuesday, April 13, 2010 and include Rock of Ages, Billy Elliot the Musical, Shrek The Musical, HAIR, Jersey Boys and West Side Story. Prices range from $139 to $542 and include applicable season ticket discounts, Select Seating, theatre restoration and handling fees. Information is available 24 hours a day at HennepinTheatreTrust.org. Patrons can also call the Broadway Across America Season Ticket Hotline at 1.800.859.SHOW (7469), Monday–Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. CST. By fax, dial 1.800.329.8587.

Current Season Ticket Holders are urged to respond to renewal notices immediately to retain their seats for this stellar season. The renewal deadline is Monday, May 17. Group tickets are on sale now and discounts are available for many performances. Group minimums vary; please call 612.373.5665 for information and reservations. Single tickets for individual productions will go on sale at a later date. Further information will be posted online as it becomes available at HennepinTheatreTrust.org and can also be received directly by signing up to receive email notification of the latest updates.

SEASON TICKET HOLDER BENEFITS
Season Ticket Holders get the best access to guaranteed seats for the year’s hottest shows and enjoy many benefits including:
• Priority PRE-SALE opportunities to buy additional tickets before public on-sale dates
• EASY payment plan—pay in two installments at no additional charge
• SEASON HANDBOOK—an information guide plus a dining coupon book!
• FREE TICKET EXCHANGE and replacement services
• OFFERS from Hennepin Theatre Trust restaurant and hotel partners
• ADVANCE ACCESS to tickets for Broadway series shows at the Ordway

FLEX TICKET INFORMATION
Starting Monday, May 3, 2010 flex packages will also be available, allowing patrons to customize their own season by choosing three or more shows from any of the seven productions. Seating for each show is based upon availability after renewing Season Subscribers have been seated. Ticket buyers must select at least three shows, but can purchase tickets to as many shows as they want. They may also choose any performance and purchase up to eight tickets to each show at any desired price level. This offer is subject to ticket and location availability and additional fees may apply at the point of purchase.

Packages are available in person at the State Theatre Box Office (805 Hennepin Avenue, Mpls., 55402), by phone through the Broadway Across America Season Ticket Hotline (1.800.859.SHOW (7469), Monday–Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. CST) or online at www.HennepinTheatreTrust.org. Prices vary depending on show selection, performance time and seating preference.

2010/11 BROADWAY SEASON
Wicked (Special Addition to the Season) August 11–Sept. 19, 2010 Orpheum Theatre
Note: Single tickets go on sale Monday, May 24 as part of a special Wicked event, more details to come.
“Back by popular demand, Entertainment Weekly calls Wicked “the best musical of the decade” and when it played Minneapolis in 2006 and 2008 it broke box office records and sold out in record time. Winner of 35 major awards, including a Grammy and three Tony Awards, Wicked is Broadway’s biggest blockbuster and a cultural phenomenon that was named “the defining musical of the decade” by the New York Times. Long before that girl from Kansas arrives in Munchkinland, two girls meet in the land of Oz. One—born with emerald green skin—is smart, fiery and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious and very popular. How these two grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good makes for “the most complete, and completely satisfying, new musical in a long time” (USA Today).

Rock of Ages Oct. 19–24, 2010 Orpheum Theatre
In 1987 on the Sunset Strip, a small town girl met a big city rocker and, in LA’s most famous rock club, they fell in love to the greatest songs of the 80s. It’s five time 2009 Tony Award nominee Rock of Ages, an arena-rock love story told through the mind-blowing, face-melting hits of Journey, Night Ranger, Styx, REO Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Poision, Asia, Whitesnake and many more. Don’t miss this awesomely good time about dreaming big, playing loud and partying on! David Cote of Time Out proclaims it as “rock and comedy in perfect proportion!” *Mature language, may be inappropriate for children under age 14.

Billy Elliot The Musical Dec. 16, 2010–Jan. 9, 2011 Orpheum Theatre
Billy Elliot The Musical is the joyous celebration of one boy's journey to make his dreams come true. Set in a small town, the story follows Billy as he stumbles out of the boxing ring and into a ballet class, discovering a surprising passion that inspires his family and his whole community. A big musical with an even bigger heart, Billy Elliot will enchant the dreamer in all of us. Based on the international smash-hit film, Billy Elliot is brought to life by a phenomenal cast of 45 and the Tony Award-winning creative team—director Stephen Daldry, choreographer Peter Darling and writer Lee Hall—along with music legend Elton John, who has written what the New York Post calls "his best score yet!” *Some adult language, may be inappropriate for children under age 8.

Shrek The Musical Feb. 1–6, 2011 Orpheum Theatre
Shrek The Musical, based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks film that started it all, brings the hilarious story of everyone’s favorite ogre to life on stage. In a faraway kingdom turned upside down, things get ugly when an unseemly ogre – not a handsome prince – shows up to rescue a feisty princess. Throw in a donkey who won’t shut up, a villain with a short temper, a cookie with an attitude and over a dozen other fairy tale misfits, and you’ve got the kind of mess that calls for a real hero. Luckily, there’s one on hand… and his name is Shrek. Featuring a terrific score of 19 all-new songs, big laughs, great dancing and breathtaking scenery, WWOR-TV proclaims Shrek The Musical, “Far, far and away the funniest new musical on Broadway!”

HAIR March 1–6, 2011 Orpheum Theatre
Winner of the 2009 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical, HAIR tells of a group of young Americans searching for peace and love in a turbulent time and has struck a resonant chord with audiences young and old. This exuberant musical features an extraordinary cast and dozens of unforgettable songs, including “Aquarius,” “Let the Sun Shine In,” "Good Morning, Starshine" and “Easy To Be Hard.” The New York Times says, "Diane Paulus's thrilling, emotionally rich production delivers intense, unadulterated joy.” *Parental discretion is advised. There is a dimly lit 20-second scene with nudity that is non-sexual in nature.

Jersey Boys April 21–May 8, 2011 Orpheum Theatre
Jersey Boys, the Broadway and touring blockbuster featuring the music of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, tells how a group of blue-collar boys became one of the biggest American pop music sensations of all time. They wrote their own songs, invented their own sounds and sold 175 million records worldwide–all before they were thirty. Directed by two-time Tony Award-winner Des McAnuff, Jersey Boys is the winner of the 2006 Best Musical Tony Award, the 2006 Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album, and most recently, the 2009 Olivier Award for Best New Musical. Written by Academy Award-winner Marshall Brickman (“Annie Hall”) and Rick Elice, it features their hit songs “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Rag Doll,” “Oh What a Night” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.” The St. Paul Pioneer Press wrote, “The crowd explodes! With all the infectious singing and dancing, it’s easy to see why the show won the Best Musical Tony!” *Contains strong language. May be inappropriate for children under 12.

West Side Story July 12–17, 2011 Orpheum Theatre
More than fifty years ago one musical changed theatre forever. Now it’s back on Broadway mesmerizing audiences once again. From the first note to the final breath, West Side Story soars as the greatest love story of all time. Directed by its two-time Tony Award-winning librettist Arthur Laurents, West Side Story remains as powerful, poignant and timely as ever. The new Broadway cast album of West Side Story recently won the 2010 Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album. The Bernstein and Sondheim score is considered to be one of Broadway's finest and features such classics of the American musical theatre as "Something's Coming," "Tonight," "America," "I Feel Pretty" and "Somewhere.” “So exciting it makes you ache with pleasure,” says John Lahr of the New Yorker.

HENNEPIN THEATRE TRUST, owner of the historic State, Orpheum and Pantages Theatres, is a non-profit organization devoted to enriching the vibrant cultural atmosphere of the Twin Cities. The Trust’s activities include Broadway touring productions, concerts, comedy, speakers and other variety entertainment plus educational initiatives including the SpotLight Musical Theatre Program for high schools, Critical View student reviewer program, Teen Ushers, the Access Program and Kids’ Night. For more information, go to HennepinTheatreTrust.org.

BROADWAY ACROSS AMERICA (Producer) is owned and operated by British theatre producer John Gore (CEO) and entertainment industry veteran Thomas B. McGrath (Chairman). Broadway Across America presents first-class touring musicals and plays across 40 North American cities. Under the supervision of Beth Williams (COO & Head of Production), Broadway Across America is also dedicated to the development and production of new and diverse theatre. Recent productions include Hair, West Side Story, Memphis, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas and the West End production of Breakfast At Tiffany’s. Upcoming Broadway productions include Promises, Promises, Million Dollar Quartet and Minsky’s. Touring productions include Dreamgirls and Nickelodeon's Storytime Live. Please visit BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com.