"Today and since the early 1900s, outstanding theatre remains a valued tradition for Hennepin Theatre Trust’s historic theatres. Each year, the Trust endeavors to surpass itself in crafting a season that not only encompasses the newest and most innovative Broadway touring shows, but includes appealing classics that have withstood the test of time,” commented Tom Hoch, President and CEO of Hennepin Theatre Trust. “It is this quality and breadth of productions, coupled with a dedication to community engagement and education, which serves theatre aficionados and new audiences alike.”

The Broadway lineup begins Nov. 5–Dec. 7, 2008, with the thrilling return of Wicked to the Orpheum Theatre. Broadway’s biggest blockbuster about the untold story of the witches of Oz flies back to Minneapolis for a five-week engagement after the July 2006 run sold out in record time. Based on the best-selling 1995 novel by Gregory Maguire, Wicked is the winner of 20 major awards, including a Grammy and three Tony Awards. Also playing at the Orpheum from Dec. 30, 2008–Jan. 4, 2009 is a new revival of Grease, direct from Broadway, that was named Time Magazine’s 2007 pick for “#1 musical of the year.”

On Jan. 6–11, the new year continues with the riveting drama Frost/Nixon, starring stage, television and film actor Stacy Keach at the State Theatre. This U.K. import is a nail-biting battle of intellects penned by Peter Morgan (screenwriter of “The Queen”) that recreates the story behind how David Frost, the celebrity British talk show host, induced former U.S. President Richard Nixon to apologize for Watergate on international television. Jan. 27–Feb. 1 brings Spring Awakening, hailed as the “Best Musical of the Year” by the NY Drama Critics Circle, the Drama Desk, the Outer Critics Circle and the 2007 Tony Awards, to the Orpheum as part of its first U.S tour. Spring Awakening, based on the infamous 1891 Frank Wedekind play, emerged as the most talked about musical on Broadway. It features an electrifying score by Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater, who also wrote the book, direction by Michael Mayer and choreography by the award-winning Bill T. Jones. Set against the backdrop of a repressive and provincial late- 19th century Germany, Spring Awakening tells the timeless story of teenage self-discovery and budding sexuality.

From Feb. 24–March 1, a new production of the enduring international and Broadway hit Fiddler on the Roof stars Chaim Topol reprising his 1971 Academy Award-nominated role of Russian peasant Teyve. With a moving score set to the theme of struggling to hold onto tradition in the face of dramatic change, this is a musical that still resonates. The season concludes at the Orpheum June 16–21 with the revival of A Chorus Line, the 1975 Michael Bennett landmark musical with a score by Marvin Hamlisch that has gained almost mythical status since its stunning debut and record-breaking run. As the original reality show about the lives, dreams and labors of 17 Broadway dancers auditioning for the chance of a lifetime, it laid creative groundwork in theatre for decades.

Returning by popular demand as a season special, The Phantom of the Opera plays the Orpheum Theatre from May 13–June 7. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical masterpiece directed by Harold Prince features some of the most lavish sets, costumes and special effects ever to have been created for the stage. For good reason an audience favorite, Phantom traces the tragic love story of a ravishing opera singer who is helped to fame by a young composer shamed by his physical appearance into a shadowy existence beneath the majestic Paris Opera House. A second season special, running June 2-7, is A Bronx Tale starring Academy Award-nominated actor Chazz Palminteri in a one-man show inspired by his rough youth in New York.

SEASON TICKET INFORMATION

Six-show season ticket packages go on sale Friday, May 2 at 10 a.m. and include Wicked, Grease, Frost/Nixon, Spring Awakening, Fiddler on the Roof and A Chorus Line. The Phantom of the Opera and A Bronx Tale are offered as special additions. Prices range from $531 to $143 depending upon performance time and seating preference, and include discounts, theatre restoration and handling fees. Information is available by calling the Broadway Across America Customer Service Hotline at 1-800-859-SHOW (7469), Mon.-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. CST. Online service is also available 24 hours a day at HennepinTheatreDistrict.org. By mail, contact M&I Bank Broadway Across America-Mpls., PO Box 22790, Houston TX, 77227-2790. By fax, dial 1-800-329-8587.

Current season ticket holders are urged to respond to renewal notices immediately and secure their seats for this stellar season. The renewal deadline is June 6, 2008. Group discounts are available for most performances. Group minimums vary; please call 612-373-5665 for information and reservations. Wicked tickets for groups of 20 or more are on sale now. Single tickets for individual productions will go on sale at a later date. Further information will be posted online as it becomes available at HennepinTheatreDistrict.org and can also be received directly by signing up to receive email notification of the latest updates.

BENEFITS FOR SEASON TICKET HOLDERS
Season ticket holders get the best guaranteed seats for the year’s hottest shows and enjoy many benefits including:
• Priority PRE-SALE opportunities to buy additional tickets before public on-sale dates
• EASY payment plan—50% secures your seats
• SEASON HANDBOOK—an information guide plus a dining coupon book!
• Ticket EXCHANGE and replacement services
• Pre-paid PARKING PASSES to ramps connected by Skyway to the State and Orpheum Theatres
• RESTAURANT offers from Hennepin Theatre Trust partners
• Exclusive INVITATIONS to show-related events
• NEW—Advance access to tickets for the Ordway Center’s Broadway series shows
2008/09 M&I Bank Broadway Across America-Minneapolis Season

Wicked
Nov. 5–Dec. 7, 2008; Orpheum Theatre, 910 Hennepin Ave., Mpls.
Back by popular demand,The New York Times callsWicked "Broadway's biggest blockbuster," and when it first played Minneapolis in 2006 it broke box office records and sold out in record time. Long before that girl from Kansas arrives in Munchkinland, two girls meet in the land of Oz. One—born with emerald green skin—is smart, fiery and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious and very popular. How these two grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch makes for “the most complete, and completely satisfying, new musical in a long time” (USA Today). Winner of 20 major awards including a Grammy and three Tony Awards, Wicked’s return has been much-anticipated.

Grease
Dec. 30, 2008–Jan. 4, 2009; Orpheum Theatre
Named by Time Magazine as the 2007 pick for “#1 musical of the year,”Grease is rockin’ across the country in this new production direct from Broadway. In a celebration of growin' up, cruisin' and goin' steady, “Bad boy” Danny and “girl next door” Sandy fall in love all over again at Rydell High. The new production ofGrease features, for the first time on stage, songs from the smash hit 1978 film including “Sandy” and the Academy Award-nominated “Hopelessly Devoted to You,” plus “Grease” and “You’re the One That I Want,” both of which were #1 hits on the Billboard Top 100 list. These are heard in addition to the Jacobs/Casey songs made famous by the original stage production including “Summer Nights,” “Greased Lightnin’” and “We Go Together.”

Frost/Nixon
Jan. 6–11; State Theatre, 805 Hennepin Ave., Mpls.
Frost/Nixon tackles the question of how David Frost, the celebrity British talk-show host with a playboy reputation, elicited the apology the rest of the world was waiting to hear from former U.S. President Richard Nixon. Award-winning stage and screen actor Stacy Keach as Nixon, known for his portrayals of detective Mike Hammer and Ernest Hemmingway, leads a cast of ten in this fast-paced Tony Award-nominated new play. Depicting the determination, conviction and cunning of two ambitious men as they square off, this is the portrayal of one of the most monumental television interviews of all time. Frost/Nixon is written by Peter Morgan, who penned the screenplays for “The Queen,” “The Last King of Scotland,” and HBO’s “Longford.” It is directed by Olivier Award-winner Michael Grandage, artistic director of Donmar Warehouse, one of London’s leading theatres.

Spring Awakening
Jan. 27–Feb. 1, Orpheum Theatre
Hailed as the “Best Musical of the Year” by the NY Drama Critics Circle, the Drama Desk, the Outer Critics Circle and the 2007 Tony Awards, winning eight out of eleven nominations, Spring Awakening emerged as the most talked about musical on Broadway. Based on the infamous 1891 Frank Wedekind play, Spring Awakening features an electrifying score by Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater who also wrote the book, direction by Michael Mayer and choreography by the award-winning Bill T. Jones. Set against the backdrop of a repressive and provincial late 19th century Germany, Spring Awakening tells the timeless story of teenage self-discovery and budding sexuality as seen through the eyes of three teenagers. “Broadway may never be the same. This brave new musical, haunting and electrifying by turns, restores the mystery and the thrill to that shattering transformation that stirs in all of our souls,” wrote Charles Isherwood of The New York Times. Haunting and provocative, Spring Awakening celebrates the unforgettable journey into adulthood with a power, poignancy and a passion you will never forget.

Fiddler on the Roof
Feb. 24–March 1, Orpheum Theatre
Fiddler on the Roof, the Tony Award-winning musical based on the stories of Sholom Aleichem, features Tevye, the father of five daughters, struggling to maintain tradition while outside influences encroach upon their lives. Set in turn-of-the-century Tsarist Russia, Fiddler on the Roof is a classic filled with such timeless poignant songs as “Tradition,” “Matchmaker, Matchmaker,” “If I Were a Rich Man” and “Sunrise, Sunset.” In this new national tour, audiences have a rare opportunity to see the original film Tevye, Chaim Topol, perform the role that earned him an Academy Award nomination. Relive a glorious tradition of the musical theatre with Topol in Fiddler on the Roof.

A Chorus Line
June 16–21, Orpheum Theatre
In an empty theatre, on a bare stage, casting for a new Broadway musical is almost complete. For 17 dancers, this audition is the chance of a lifetime. It's what they've worked for with every drop of sweat, every hour of training, every day of their lives. It's the one opportunity to do what they've always dreamed—to have the chance to dance. This is A Chorus Line, the musical for anyone who’s ever had a dream and put it all on the line. Winner of nine Tony Awards, including “Best Musical” and the Pulitzer Prize for drama, this singular sensation is Broadway’s longest-running American musical ever. Now A Chorus Line returns. Come meet the new generation of Broadway’s best. “A Chorus Line is back, and it’s thrilling!” wrote John Lahr of The New Yorker.

The Phantom of the Opera (Special Addition to the Season)
May 13–June 7, Orpheum Theatre
With some of the most lavish sets, costumes and special effects ever created for the stage, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera, directed by Harold Prince, traces the tragic love story of a beautiful opera singer and a young composer shamed by his physical appearance into a shadowy existence beneath the majestic Paris Opera House. Adapted from Gaston Leroux’s classic novel of mystery and suspense, this award-winning musical has woven its spell over standing-room audiences in more than 100 cities worldwide and is the longest-running show in Broadway history.

A Bronx Tale (Special Addition to the Season)
June 2-7, State Theatre
Academy Award-nominated actor Chazz Palminteri returns to the stage in a one-man, unforgettable performance fresh from a successful run on Broadway, where it was praised by the critics and adored by the public. In A Bronx Tale, the celebrated play based on the acclaimed movie inspired by his life, Palminteri vividly depicts a boy's rough childhood in 1960s-era Bronx and the memorable people encountered. A classic coming-of-age story about reaching true potential and trusting your heart, A Bronx Tale is directed by four-time Tony Award-winner Jerry Zaks.