Award-winning Broadway revival of West Side Story Plays the Orpheum Theatre, July 12-17, 2011

MINNEAPOLIS—West Side Story, the new hit Broadway revival of the groundbreaking Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim musical, will play Hennepin Theatre Trust’s Orpheum Theatre, July 12-17, 2011. This 2009 Tony-nominated and 2010 Grammy Award-winning production features a score considered to be one of Broadway’s finest, with such classics of American musical theatre as “Something’s Coming,” “Tonight,” “I Feel Pretty” and “Somewhere.” Tickets are on sale now. West Side Story is the culminating event of Hennepin Theatre Trust’s 2010/11 Broadway Across America-Minneapolis season. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit HennepinTheatreTrust.org or call 1.800.982.2787.

West Side Story was written by three theatrical luminaries: two-time Tony Award-winner Arthur Laurents (book) and multiple Tony and Grammy Award-winners Leonard Bernstein (music) and Stephen Sondheim (lyrics) in what was his Broadway debut. Librettist Arthur Laurents’ Broadway direction will be recreated for the tour by David Saint, the Associate Director for the Broadway production. The original Jerome Robbins choreography is reproduced by Tony Award nominee Joey McKneely (The Boy from Oz, The Life). West Side Story features scenic designs by James Youmans (Gypsy), costumes by Tony Award nominee David C. Woolard (The Farnsworth Invention, The Who’s Tommy), lighting by Tony Award-winner Howell Binkley (Gypsy, Jersey Boys), sound design by Tony Award nominee Dan Moses Schreier (Gypsy, A Catered Affair) and hair by Mark Adam Rampmeyer (The Farnsworth Invention).

The cast stars Kyle Harris as Tony, Ali Ewoldt as Maria, Michelle Aravena as Anita, Joseph J. Simeone as Riff and German Santiago as Bernardo. Also featured are Mike Boland as Krupke, Ryan Christopher Chotto as A-rab, Stephen DeRosa as Glad Hand, Drew Foster as Action, Alexandra Frohlinger as Anybodys, Jay Garcia as Chino, Grant Gustin as Baby John, Nathan Keen as Big Deal, Christopher Patrick Mullen as Schrank, John O’Creagh as Doc, Kyle Robinson as Diesel, Cary Tedder as Snowboy, along with Karolina Blonski, Alicia Charles, Lauryn Ciardullo, Beth Crandall, Dean Andre de Luna, Ted Ely, Lori Ann Ferreri, Ryan Ghysels, Tim Hausmann, Thayne Jasperson, Déa Julien, Kristen Paulicelli, Waldemar Quinones-Villanueva, Alexandra Blake Redelico, Michael Scirrotto, Jeffrey C. Sousa, Dani Spieler, Jessica Swesey, Kathryn Lin Terza and Kirstin Tucker.

This new production began previews at the Palace Theatre on Broadway in February 2009, opened to critical acclaim breaking box office records at the Palace Theatre in March 2009 and recouped its $14 million investment after running only 30 weeks. The Broadway production played its final performance on January 2011. The musical played 27 previews and 748 regular performances, making it the longest-running production of this captivating musical in Broadway history. The original production, which had held the record, played 732 performances on Broadway. The new Broadway cast album of West Side Story won the 2010 Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album in January 2010.

West Side Story is produced by Kevin McCollum, James L. Nederlander, Jeffrey Seller with Terry Allen Kramer, Sander Jacobs, Roy Furman / Jill Furman Willis, Robyn Goodman / Walt Grossman, Hal Luftig, Roy Miller and Broadway Across America.

TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets for West Side Story are on sale now and range from $28 to $93 (subject to change) depending on performance time and seating preference. All prices include applicable facility fees. Additional charges may apply. Tickets may be purchased in person at the State Theatre Box Office (805 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, 55402), online at HennepinTheatreTrust.org, or through Ticketmaster by calling 1.800.982.2787 or visiting a Ticketmaster Ticket Center. Groups of 10 or more should call 612.373.5665 for information and reservations.

Performance dates for West Side Story are Tuesday through Sunday, July 12 to 17, 2011 at the Orpheum Theatre (910 Hennepin Avenue, Mpls., 55403).

Show times are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 1 and 6:30 p.m.

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 and the related Broadway Confidential series, 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), part of the Key Brand Entertainment family of companies which includes Broadway.com, 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. Broadway.com is the premier theater website for news, exclusive content and ticket sales. Under the supervision of Beth Williams (CEO-Theatrical), Broadway Across America is also dedicated to the development and production of new and diverse theatre. Current Broadway productions include How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying starring Daniel Radcliffe and John Larroquette, Million Dollar Quartet, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Jerusalem, Memphis and the West End production of Million Dollar Quartet. For more information, please visit BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com and Broadway.com.