War Horse Debuts in Minnesota

at the Orpheum Theatre, June 12-23, 2013

Winner of Five Tony Awards Including Best Play

A Landmark Theater EventTime Magazine

MINNEAPOLISWar Horse, winner of five 2011 Tony Awards including Best Play, makes its Minnesota debut at Hennepin Theatre Trusts Orpheum Theatre, June 12-23, 2013. Hailed by the New York Times as theatrical magic, this National Theatre of Great Britain production is the powerful story of young Alberts beloved horse, Joey, who was conscripted to fight for the English in World War I. Tickets are on sale now. War Horse is presented by Hennepin Theatre Trust as part of its 2012/13 Broadway Across America-Minneapolis Season. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit HennepinTheatreTrust.org or call 1.800.982.2787.

War Horse is based on English author and Childrens Laureate Michael Morpurgos award-winning novel. The book was also the inspiration for the theatrical production and Steven Spielbergs feature film of the same name, which earned six Oscar nominations including Best Picture. In a tale the New York Daily News calls spellbinding, by turns epic and intimate, Joey is caught in enemy crossfire and ends up serving both sides of the war before landing in no mans land. Albert, not old enough to enlist, embarks on a treacherous mission to find his horse and bring him home.

At the heart of the show are life-sized puppets designed by the Handspring Puppet Company, which bring breathing, galloping, charging horses and other animals to thrilling life on stage. Minnesota native Rob Laqui is one of the Joey puppeteers. The tour of War Horse, which was adapted from the book by Morpurgo by Nick Stafford, is directed by Bijan Sheibani based on the original Tony Award-winning direction by Marianne Elliott and Tom Morris, and presented in association with Handspring Puppet Company.

In addition to Best Play, War Horse received Tony Awards for Best Direction of a Play (Marianne Elliott and Tom Morris), Best Scenic Design of a Play (Rae Smith), Best Lighting Design of a Play (Paule Constable) and Best Sound Design of a Play (Christopher Shutt). A Special Tony Award was given to the Handspring Puppet Company for their integral work on the production.

War Horse had its world premiere in a limited engagement at the National Theatre of Great Britains Olivier Theatre in 2007. It returned for a second run playing from 2008-2009 before transferring to the West Ends New London Theatre in Spring 2009 where it continues to play an open-ended run. The American premiere was in spring 2011 at the Vivian Beaumont Theater in New Yorks Lincoln Center. War Horse has been seen by over two million people worldwide and is currently playing in Londons West End and at Torontos Princess of Wales Theatre. Future productions of War Horse are planned for Australia, Berlin and South Africa, as well as a UK tour. The lead producers of the national tour of War Horse are Bob Boyett and the National Theatre of Great Britain. For more information, please visit www.WarHorseOnStage.com.

TICKET INFORMATION

Individual tickets for War Horse are on sale now. Tickets start at $39 (subject to change) depending on performance time and seating preference. Tickets may be purchased in person at the State Theatre Box Office (805 Hennepin Avenue, Mpls., 55402, no service fees), online at HennepinTheatreTrust.org or through Ticketmaster by calling 1.800.982.2787 or visiting a Ticketmaster Ticket Center. All prices include applicable facility fees. Additional charges may apply. Groups of 10 or more save, and should call 612.373.5665 for information and reservations. *Although War Horse is based on a childrens book, it includes scenes depicting some war violence and is recommended for ages 10 and up. All patrons must have a ticket regardless of age.

Performance dates for War Horse are Wednesday, June 12 through Sunday, June 23, 2013. Performance times are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 1 and 6:30 p.m. There is an additional matinee performance on Thursday, June 13 at 2 p.m.

HENNEPIN THEATRE TRUST, owner of the historic Orpheum, State, Pantages and New Century Theatres, is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to arts-inspired community cultural development. We achieve our mission by presenting a rich mix of live performances, creating inspiring arts education experiences and advancing a thriving Hennepin Avenue cultural district in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Trusts activities include presenting Broadway touring productions and the related Broadway Confidential series, concerts, comedy, speakers and other variety entertainment plus educational initiatives including our SpotLight Musical Theatre and SpotLight Critical Reviewer programs for high schools, Teen Ushers, the Access Program and Family Day events.