Opening on New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, and running through Jan. 13, 2008 as part of a North American tour, Avenue Q, the 2004 Tony Award winner for Best Musical, comes to the State Theatre for a two week engagement. Featuring a cast of people and puppets, this smart, risqué and downright entertaining musical tackles life's most vexing issues with a comic twist, like trying to make it in New York on a tiny budget. February welcomes new and stunning productions of two Broadway favorites. John Doyle's dazzling new staging of Sweeney Todd at the State Theatre Feb. 5-10, brings the Stephen Sondheim creation to life as rarely seen outside of New York. The show’s actors double as musicians to create an innovative, intimate and ingenious theatre experience. My Fair Lady arrives at the Orpheum Theatre Feb. 20-March 2, direct from its 50th Anniversary London production and as part of a new U.S. tour. Acclaimed British actors Christopher Cazenove and Lisa O’Hare will recreate their starring roles as Professor Henry Higgins and Eliza Doolittle.

A new touring stage version of the phenomenally popular Disney Channel original movie, High School Musical comes to the State Theatre April 1-6. Based on the 2006 Emmy Award-winning movie, this contemporary musical comedy features a popular high school basketball star, Troy Bolton, and a shy, academically gifted newcomer, Gabriella Montez, who discover a shared secret passion for singing. The rock opera version of “the greatest story ever told,” Jesus Christ Superstar, is returning to the Orpheum Theatre May 2-4. The first masterpiece from the legendary writing team of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, this original groundbreaking production stars Ted Neeley reprising his role as the Golden Globe–nominated “Christ,” as acclaimed in the Norman Jewison film. Living Colour’s Corey Glover as Judas is as timeless and relevant as ever.

TICKET INFORMATION
Individual tickets for Avenue Q, Sweeney Todd, My Fair Lady, High School Musical and Jesus Christ Superstar go on sale Friday, Nov. 16 at 9 a.m. at the State Theatre Box Office only. Beginning at 10 a.m., tickets will be available at all other outlets. Please see below for specific prices, performance dates and show times for individual shows. 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 HennepinTheatreDistrict.org, or through Ticketmaster by calling 612-673-0404 or visiting ticketmaster.com.

Avenue Q:
Individual tickets for Avenue Q range in price from $27-67 depending on performance time and seating preference. Performance dates for Avenue Q are Tuesday, Jan. 1 through Sunday, Jan. 13, 2008 at the State Theatre, 805 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, 55402. 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.

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Individual tickets for Sweeney Todd range in price from $27-67 depending on performance time and seating preference. Performance dates for Sweeney Todd are Tuesday, Feb. 5 through Sunday, Feb. 10, 2008 at the State Theatre. 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.

My Fair Lady:
Individual tickets for My Fair Lady range in price from $23-78 depending on performance time and seating preference. Performance dates for My Fair Lady are Wednesday, Feb. 20 through Sunday, March 2, 2008 at the Orpheum Theatre, 910 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, 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. There is an additional matinee performance on Thursday, Feb. 21 at 2 p.m.

High School Musical:
Individual tickets for High School Musical range in price from $23-67 depending on performance time and seating preference. Performance dates for High School Musical are Tuesday, April 1 through Sunday, April 6, 2008 at the State Theatre. Show times are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 1 and 6:30 p.m.

Jesus Christ Superstar:
Individual tickets for Jesus Christ Superstar range in price from $21-69 depending on performance time and seating preference. Performance dates for Jesus Christ Superstar are Friday, May 2 through Sunday, May 4, 2008 at the Orpheum Theatre. Show times are Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 1 and 6:30 p.m.

Groups save up to 15% on most performances. Group minimums vary; please call 612-373-5665 for information and reservations.

HENNEPIN THEATRE TRUST
Hennepin Theatre Trust is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit performing arts organization dedicated to enhancing the cultural and economic vitality of the Hennepin Theatre District. With a focus on engaging community members in a diverse array of live performances and educational experiences, the Trust’s annual presentations include the M&I Bank Broadway Across America – Minneapolis Season, National Geographic Live! Speaker’s Series and an eclectic range of variety entertainment including theatre, dance, comedy and music. The Trust’s additional community programming includes the SpotLight Musical Theatre Program, Critical View (a student reviewer program), the Starbucks Ticket Access Program and Kids’ Night on Broadway. Over 500,000 patrons visit the Trust’s State, Orpheum and Pantages Theatres annually.

BROADWAY ACROSS AMERICA
Broadway Across America presents first-rate touring Broadway shows, family productions and other live theatrical events throughout a network of over 40 North American cities. A leader in subscription series programs and group ticketing, Broadway Across America is dedicated to creating memorable and accessible experiences for all guests, selling over five million tickets to over 3,000 performances each year. As a producer, current and recent Broadway productions include: Hairspray, Chicago, Monty Python’s Spamalot and The Producers. It also manages, operates or consults in the operation of 13 theatres across North America. For more information or to purchase tickets through an authorized agent go to BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com.