Wicked, Broadways Biggest Blockbuster, Returns to the Orpheum Theatre, Sept. 18Oct. 27, 2013

MINNEAPOLIS, AUG. 28, 2013 Wicked, the smash hit musical, makes its much-anticipated return to Hennepin Theatre Trusts Orpheum Theatre, Wednesday, Sept. 18Sunday, Oct. 27, 2013. This fourth Minneapolis engagement follows extremely popular runs in 2006, 2008 and 2010. Based on the best-selling 1995 novel by Gregory Maguire about the untold story of the witches of Oz, Wicked is the winner of 35 major awards, including a Grammy and three Tony Awards. Wicked is a special addition to Hennepin Theatre Trusts 2013/14 Broadway Across America-Minneapolis Season. Tickets are on sale now. For more information or to buy tickets, call 1.800.982.2787 or visit HennepinTheatreTrust.org.

Long before Dorothy drops in, two other girls meet in the Land of Oz. Oneborn with emerald-green skinis smart, fiery and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious and very popular. Wicked tells the story of their remarkable odyssey, and how these two unlikely friends grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good.

With music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz (Godspell, Pippin, Academy Award-winner for Pocahontas and The Prince of Egypt) and book by Winnie Holzman (My So Called Life, Once And Again and thirtysomething), Wicked is directed by two-time Tony Award-winner Joe Mantello (Take Me Out, Love! Valour! Compassion!, The Vagina Monologues) and features musical staging by Tony Award winner Wayne Cilento (Aida, The Whos Tommy, How To Succeed). It is produced by Marc Platt, Universal Pictures, The Araca Group, Jon B. Platt and David Stone.

Wickeds track record at the Orpheum has been spectacular and we expect another fantastic run, commented Tom Hoch, Hennepin Theatre Trusts President and CEO. Few shows generate such repeat and fervent enthusiasm!

Wicked has cast quite a spell (Washington Post) throughout North America, breaking box office records in every city that it has played, including Toronto, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington, DC, Philadelphia and Boston. Wicked has been declared a cultural phenomenon by Variety and the best musical of the decade by Entertainment Weekly. There are now seven productions worldwide: New York, London, Holland, Japan, Australia/New Zealand and two concurrent North American tours. Globally, Wicked has amassed over $3 billion in ticket sales and has been seen by 36 million people worldwide in its nine year history.

Wicked features set design by Tony Award-winner Eugene Lee (Ragtime, Show Boat, Candide, Sweeney Todd), costume design by Tony-winner Susan Hilferty (Into the Woods, Assassins), lighting design by Tony nominee Kenneth Posner (The Coast of Utopia, Hairspray) and sound design by Tony Meola (The Lion King). Stephen Oremus is the shows musical director. Orchestrations are by William David Brohn, with dance arrangements by James Lynn Abbott.

The Grammy Award-winning cast recording available on Decca Broadway. For more information, log on to www.wickedthemusical.com. *Note to calendar listings editors: the title of the show is Wicked (not Wicked: A New Musical or Wicked: The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz.)

TICKET INFORMATION

Tickets for Wicked are on sale now and start at $49 (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), online at HennepinTheatreTrust.org or through Ticketmaster by calling 1.800.982.2787 or visiting a Ticketmaster Outlet Center. . For patron protection and standard prices, Hennepin Theatre Trust strongly recommends purchasing only from authorized ticket outlets. All prices include applicable facility restoration fees. Additional charges may apply. Groups of 15 or more should call 612.373.5665 or contact MinneapolisGroups@broadwayacrossamerica for information and reservations.

Performance dates for Wicked are Wednesday, Sept. 18 through Sunday, Oct. 27, 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 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. There is an additional 2 p.m. matinee performance on Thursday, Sept. 19.

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.

BROADWAY ACROSS AMERICA (BAA) is a leading Broadway producer and the foremost presenter of first-class touring productions in North America. BAA operates in 40 cities, bringing first-class touring musicals and plays to audiences across the U.S. and Canada, in markets such as Minneapolis, Costa Mesa, Fort Lauderdale, Tempe, Boston and New Orleans. As a producer, current and upcoming productions include Million Dollar Quartet, Pippin, Big Fish, Betrayal, Bullets Over Broadway, Little Miss Sunshine and Bull Durham. BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com

Karen R. Nelson | Communications Director
612.455.9526 | 612.455.9502 fx
Karen.Nelson@HennepinTheatreTrust.org
615 Hennepin Avenue, Suite 140 | Minneapolis, MN | 55403
HennepinTheatreTrust.org

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