Media Alert for Event: 5:30 p.m., Thurs., March 15, Broadway Season Preview, State Theatre; Live highlights—War Horse horse puppet and Flashdance Dancers

Date: Immediate Release, Wed., March 14, 2012
To: Assignment Editors, Photo and Features Desks
Subject: Alert for Event: 5:30 p.m., Thurs., March 15, Broadway Season Preview, State Theatre; Live highlights—War Horse horse puppet and Flashdance Dancers

WHAT: Live and video preview highlights of shows from Hennepin Theatre Trust’s upcoming 2012-13 Broadway Across America Minneapolis Season at the State Theatre—see the life size horse puppet JOEY in action from War Horse, the 2011 Tony Award-winner for Best Play coming to Minneapolis June 12-23, 2013; and three dance numbers from Flashdance (here April 2-7). Expected audience of more than 2,100 people attending free event.

WHEN: Thursday, March 15, 5:30–6:30 P.M.

WHERE: Hennepin Theatre Trust’s State Theatre
805 Hennepin Ave, Mpls., 55402

PHOTO OPPS:
• Famous life size horse puppet “Joey” from War Horse, galloping around the stage, operated by three puppeteers from the South African Handspring Theatre Company.
• Four high-energy female Flashdance dancers perform three-numbers from the show: “Put it On,” “Just Out of Reach” and the Academy Award-winning “Flashdance…What A Feeling.”

INTERVIEWS AVAILABLE: (in addition to Hennepin Theatre Trust spokespeople)
• For War Horse: Puppeteers Ariel Heller, Ross Green and Ian Piears from the Handspring Puppet Company, and Louise Beere, National Theatre of London representative.
• Flashdance dancers Emily Padgett as Alex, Janet Dacal as Tess, Celina Carvajal as Kiki and Tess Soltau as Gloria.

ACCESS: Camera access (TV and still) is available throughout the entire event.
Roaming allowed. Interviews and close-up photo opportunities will immediately follow event. Advance notice requested for best camera position/interviews.

Press Contact/RSVP: Karen R. Nelson, 612.455.9526 or karen.nelson@hennepintheatretrust.org

Hennepin Theatre Trust’s Broadway Across America Minneapolis 2012-13 Broadway Season:
Runs October 2012 to June 2013 at the Orpheum Theatre: The Book of Mormon, War Horse, Catch Me If You Can, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Flashdance and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins. Tickets are on sale now to subscribers, groups (except for Book of Mormon) and Hennepin Theatre Trust Donors. For more information visit HennepinTheatreTrust.org.