Broadway Confidential, a New “Show Talk” Series Featuring Twin Cities’ Experts, Launches October 18

MINNEAPOLIS—Hennepin Theatre Trust today announced the launch of Broadway Confidential, a new “show talk” series featuring area experts exploring the musicals coming to Hennepin Theatre Trust’s Orpheum Theatre during the 2010/11 Broadway Season. Running October 2010 through July 2011, the conversations will be held each Monday before opening night of Broadway shows from 5:30-7 p.m. at various downtown Minneapolis restaurants including Kieran’s Irish Pub and Mission American Kitchen. Tickets are $15 and include the “Confidential” talk, complimentary appetizers and non-alcoholic beverages. The Trust’s restaurant partners will also offer special items linked to the theme of the show. For tickets or more information, visit www.HennepinTheatreTrust.org.

Broadway Confidential 2010/11 Schedule

Broadway Show: Rock of Ages–October 19-24 at the Orpheum Theatre
Rock of Ages, set in 1987 on the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles, is the arena rock love story told through the classic ‘80s hits of Journey, Night Ranger, Styx, REO Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Poison, Asia, Whitesnake and many more.

Talk: Monday, Oct. 18, 2010
5:30-7 p.m.
Hard Rock Café, 600 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, 55403
952.285.7625
Expert: Scott Nelson, Professor of Entertainment Business, The Institute of Production and Recording

80s Music Legacy
The classic ‘80s rock era ushered in a heavy, wild sound, outrageous costumes and personas and marked the first time American music reverberated throughout the world. Thirty years later, what legacy has this music left? Scott "Scooter" Nelson explores the musical evolutionary journey, exploring the profound impact that ‘80s music has had on heavy metal, rock, pop and other genres.

Broadway Show: Billy Elliot–December 16-January 9 at the Orpheum Theatre
Billy Elliot the Musical, winner of ten 2009 Tony Awards including Best Musical, is the joyous celebration of one boy’s journey as he stumbles out of the boxing ring and into a ballet class, discovering a surprising passion that inspires his family and the whole community.

Talk: Monday, Dec. 13
5:30-7 p.m.
Kieran’s Irish Pub, 601 First Avenue North, Minneapolis, 55403
612.339.4499
Expert: Dr. Anna Clark, Professor of British History, University of Minnesota

A History of the UK Miners’ Strike and Gender Roles
Billy Elliot highlights a recent period of British history rife with change. Dr. Clark will share her memories from living in the UK during this time, discuss the history of the Miners’ strike, British coal mining and Margaret Thatcher’s role in the conflict.

Broadway Show: Shrek The Musical–Feb. 1-6 at the Orpheum Theatre
Shrek The Musical, based on the Oscar-winning Dreamworks film about everyone’s favorite ogre, features 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 as they show up to rescue a feisty princess in a faraway kingdom.

Talk: Monday, Jan. 31, 2011
5:30-7 p.m.
Location TBD
Expert: Steven Meerdink, Co-Founder and Artistic Director of Minneapolis Musical Theatre

Animation Brought to Life
Does the popularity of animated movies or characters guarantee an audience for the Broadway stage version? Why is the general public so taken with animated movies? Since The Lion King made its mark on stage are we simply intrigued by how other animated movies will be brought to life?

Broadway Show: Hair–March 1-6 at the 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 chord with audiences young and old.

Talk: Monday, Feb. 28
5:30-7 p.m.
ŌM Restaurant, 401 First Avenue North, Minneapolis, 55401
612.338.1510
Expert: Dr. Richard Kagan, Professor Emeritus of Asian History, Hamline University

Post-War Cultural Revolution
Hair endorsed a new culture that went beyond a revolution of sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll and endorsed the ideas of peace, community and the idea that everyone could get along. Kagan will compare this culture to current society and other post-war historical evolutions.

Broadway Show: Jersey Boys–April 21-May 8 at the Orpheum Theatre
Jersey Boys, the Tony and Grammy Award-winner 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.

Talk: Monday, April 18
5:30-7 p.m.
Mission American Kitchen, 77 South Seventh Street, Minneapolis, 55402
612.339.1000
Expert: To be announced soon- check www.HennepinTheatreTrust.org for updates.

Broadway Show: West Side Story–July 12-17 at the Orpheum Theatre
West Side Story, the groundbreaking musical that soars as one of the greatest love stories of all time, includes such Bernstein and Sondheim classics as “Something’s Coming,” “Tonight,” “I Feel Pretty” and “America.”

Talk: Monday, July 11
5:30-7 p.m.
The Capital Grille, 801 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, 55402
612.692.9000
Expert: Linda Talcott Lee, Emmy Award-winning choreographer and professional dancer

West Side Story’s Profound Influence on the History of Musical Theatre
The original creative West Side Story team included three Broadway legends: Jerome Robbins, Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim. Together, they created a piece that broke the boundaries of that time period and continues to challenge and inspire musical theatre as we know it. This final engagement of the series will explore the groundbreaking transformations that continue to shape musical theatre.

TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets for all 2010-11 Broadway Confidential talks are on sale now for $15. Patrons can also buy a subscription for all six talks for $75, saving $15 off the individual price. Tickets can be purchased online at www.hennepintheatretrust.org/broadway-confidential. NOTE: Price of ticket does not include ticket to the Broadway show. For more information or to purchase tickets for Hennepin Theatre Trust’s 2010/11 Broadway Season, please visit www.hennepintheatretrust.org.

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.