Broadway Confidential, the Engaging “Show Talk” Series with Twin Cities Experts, Runs Oct. 17–June 18

MINNEAPOLIS—Hennepin Theatre Trust today announced a new season of Broadway Confidential, a series of engaging talks by local experts delving into the background of the musicals coming to the Orpheum and State Theatres during the 2011/12 Broadway Across America-Minneapolis Season. Now in its second year, the series runs October 2011 through June 2012 and is linked to shows including La Cage Aux Folles, Les Misérables, Disney’s The Lion King, American Idiot, Million Dollar Quartet, Mamma Mia! and Blue Man Group. The conversations will be held each Monday before the opening night of Broadway shows from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the New Century Theatre (615 Hennepin Avenue on the main floor of City Center).

The first event is on Monday, Oct. 17 and highlights Wanda Wisdom, local entertainer and Lavender Magazine contributor, discussing the evolution of the transgender culture and demonstrating the transformation into “drag.” It previews La Cage Aux Folles, opening the 2011/12 Broadway Season Oct. 18-23 at Hennepin Theatre Trust’s State Theatre. Tickets for the first event are on sale now. Individual Broadway Confidential tickets are $15. Patrons can also buy a series subscription for $90, giving them one engagement free. For tickets or more information on upcoming speakers, visit www.hennepintheatretrust.org/broadway-confidential.

Broadway Confidential 2011/12 Schedule

Talk: Monday, Oct. 17, 2011
5:30-7 p.m.
New Century Theatre, 615 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, 55403
Expert: Wanda Wisdom, local entertainer and Lavender Magazine contributor, will discuss the evolution of the transgender culture and demonstrate the transformation into “drag.” Wanda will be appearing with the help of her professional makeup artist and fellow drag entertainer Robb Grier.
Broadway Show: La Cage Aux Folles–October 18-23 at the State Theatre
Winner of three Tony Awards including one for Best Musical Revival, this hilarious new production stars film and TV actor George Hamilton and two-time Tony Award nominee and St. Paul native Christopher Sieber. La Cage tells the story of Georges, the owner of a glitzy nightclub in lovely Saint-Tropez, and his partner Albin, who moonlights as the glamorous chanteuse Zaza.

Talk: Monday, Dec. 5, 2011
5:30-7 p.m.
New Century Theatre
Broadway Show: Les Misérables–December 6-18 at the Orpheum Theatre
Called “an unquestionably spectacular production from start to finish” by the New York Times, Cameron Mackintosh’s new 25th anniversary production features glorious staging and spectacular reimagined scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo.

Talk: Monday, Jan. 9, 2012
5:30-7 p.m.
New Century Theatre
Broadway Show: Disney’s The Lion King–January 11-February 12, 2012 at the Orpheum Theatre
Following a world premiere at the Orpheum in 1997 and two sold out engagements in 2005 and 2007, Minneapolis becomes the first city in the U.S. to host this production four times. The phenomenon of Disney’s The Lion King includes the breathtaking spectacle of animals brought to life by award-winning director Julie Taymor and an unforgettable score by Elton John and Tim Rice.

Talk: Monday, Feb. 20, 2012
5:30-7 p.m.
New Century Theatre
Expert: Stephen T. McClellan, Professor of Music Business at McNally Smith College of Music and former General Manager of First Avenue, will give an historical look at the punk music genre including local and nationally influential acts that inspired Green Day to lead the revived punk music scene in the 1990s and early 2000s.
Broadway Show: American Idiot–February 21-26, 2012 at the Orpheum Theatre
Direct from Broadway, this smash-hit musical tells the story of three lifelong friends, forced to choose between their dreams and the safety of suburbia. American Idiot is based on Green Day’s Grammy Award-winning multi-platinum album.

Talk: Monday, March 26, 2012
5:30-7 p.m.
New Century Theatre
Broadway Show: Million Dollar Quartet–March 27-April 1, 2012 at the State Theatre
Million Dollar Quartet, inspired by the true story of the famed recording session that brought together rock 'n' roll icons Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins for the first and only time, includes such hits as "Blue Suede Shoes," "Fever," "Great Balls of Fire," "Walk the Line," "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On," "Hound Dog" and more.

Talk: Monday, April 23, 2012
5:30-7 p.m.
New Century Theatre
Broadway Show: Mamma Mia!–April 24-29, 2012 at the Orpheum Theatre
Seen by more than 50 million people worldwide, Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus’ Mamma Mia! is a celebration of mothers and daughters inspired by the storytelling magic of ABBA’s hit songs.

Talk: Monday, June 18, 2012 [please note this date is out of sequence]
5:30-7 p.m.
New Century Theatre
Broadway Show: Blue Man Group–June 15-24, 2012 at the Orpheum Theatre
On the road for its first U.S. theatrical tour, Blue Man Group’s wildly popular shows and concerts combine comedy, music and technology to produce an utterly unique form of entertainment.

TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets for the second annual Broadway Confidential series are on sale now, individual tickets are $15. A full subscription for all six talks is $90, which includes one free event! NOTE: Price of a ticket does not include ticket to the Broadway show. Tickets for the remainder of the talks will be on sale soon. Tickets can be purchased online at www.hennepintheatretrust.org/broadway-confidential. For more information or to purchase tickets for Hennepin Theatre Trust’s 2010/11 Broadway Season, please visit www.hennepintheatretrust.org.

HENNEPIN THEATRE TRUST, non-profit owner of the historic Orpheum, State, Pantages and the newly developed New Century Theatres, is devoted to enriching the vibrant cultural atmosphere of the Twin Cities.