EVITA, DAMN YANKEES, Creole Choir of Cuba, Diavolo and More Set for The Ordway's 2014-15 Season

The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts unveiled its 2014-2015 Season this evening during a standing-room-only celebration that included live pop-up performances, spectacular costumes and festive refreshments, underscoring that the Ordway provides a unique experience with every show. The Ordway celebrates the performing arts with a rich variety of offerings that includes Broadway shows, world music and dance concerts, family events and a special St. Patrick's Day performance in the new Ordway Concert Hall.

"Our audiences have told us they want to attend events that are fresh and invigorating. We're proud to announce 17 entertaining and insightful performances that will enliven the Twin Cities all year long," says Patricia A. Mitchell, Ordway president and CEO.

The 2014-2015 Season opens in July with Sing-a-Long-a Grease, a follow-up to the popular interactive performances of the Sing-a-Long-a Sound of Music at the Ordway. August brings the passionate Evita The Musical by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, followed by the Tony Award-winning Nice Work If You Can Get It, a new musical comedy fresh from Broadway featuring the songs of George and Ira Gershwin, in October.

The Ordway's annual holiday offering is always highly anticipated and this year, the Ordway revealed that the heartfelt and fun family favorite A Christmas Story The Musical is coming to the Ordway stage. The new staging, produced by the Ordway, runs November 29-December 28.

Family entertainment continues in March with The Illusionists, direct from Broadway, showcasing seven incredible illusionists performing mind-bending magic. Up next in April is The Pirate of Penzance, Gilbert & Sullivan's hilarious musical farce full of swashbuckling pirates and swooning damsels in distress, followed by new touring production of the four-time Tony Award-winning Camelot in May. Closing the season in August is the fast-paced and wickedly clever Broadway classic, Damn Yankees, in a new Ordway production.

"We're excited to create two of our own productions this season, A Christmas Story The Musical and Damn Yankees, and share our top-notch Twin Cities talent with Ordway audiences," says James A. Rocco, Ordway's vice president of programming and producing artistic director. "We're also thrilled to bring brand new Broadway hits like Nice Work If You Can Get It and new spins on the timeless masterpieces The Pirates of Penzance and Camelot to the Ordway stage. It's going to be an unforgettable season!"

The Ordway also announced that there will be two Broadway Songbook offerings during the season and the addition of a Minnesota Broadway Songbook tour in the fall of 2014. Broadway Songbook events let audiences enjoy an intimate, personal look into the stories behind the songs that created Broadway. A complete schedule with Saint Paul dates, and greater Minnesota cities and dates will be coming soon.

The 2014-2015 World Music and Dance performances include Nachito Herrera and his Cuban Orchestra (Oct. 5), Creole Choir of Cuba (Oct. 22) and Afro-Cuban dance-theater company Contra-Tiempo (Feb. 7, 2015).

Dayna Martinez, Ordway's artistic director of world music, dance and the International Children's Festival adds, "The Ordway stands out in the Twin Cities and Minnesota for bringing important world music and dance artists to the stage that showcase authenticity and enhance our understanding of different cultures."

The World Music and Dance lineup also features African singer/dancer/percussionist Dobet Gnahoré (Jan. 11, 2015) from the Ivory Coast and a co-presentation with St. Catherine University of Camille A. Brown & Dancers at O'Shaughnessy Auditorium (Feb. 21, 2015). In the new Ordway Concert Hall is the all-female traditional Irish music supergroup, Cherish the Ladies, performing on St. Patrick's Day (Mar. 17, 2015). Back by popular demand is Diavolo (Apr. 18, 2015), which will feature "Cubicle," a new work co-commissioned by the Ordway.

CEO Mitchell was enthusiastic about the upcoming season. "What excites me most about the 2014-15 Season? The fact that we will be producing again - a spectacular holiday presentation and the heavenly Damn Yankees; the fact that the new concert hall will be opening; and the fact that two of our favorite dance companies, Contra Tiempo and Diavolo, will be coming back," she said.

Subscription packages are now on sale for the Ordway 2014-2015 Season, with single tickets going on sale on June 23, 2014.

2014-2015 Ordway Theater Season:

Sing-a-Long-a Grease
July 30-31, 2014

The producers of Sing-a-Long-a Sound of Music bring a brand new Sing-a-Long-a version of the classic film Grease starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. Dressing up is strongly encouraged and full audience participation is essential.

Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber
Evita The Musical
Aug. 14-19, 2014

A passionate and true story that features some of the world's most beautiful songs, including "Don't Cry for Me Argentina."

Eva Perón used her beauty and charisma to rise meteorically from the slums of Argentina to the presidential mansion as First Lady. Adored as a champion for the poor, she became one of the most powerful women in the world-while her greed, outsized ambition and fragile health made her one of the most tragic.

Tony Award-Winning
Nice Work If You Can Get It
A New Musical Comedy
Oct.14-19, 2014

It's the Roaring Twenties, and a cast of outrageous characters gathers in New York to celebrate the wedding of a wealthy playboy. But things don't go as planned. The champagne flows and the gin fizzes in the hilarious, Tony Award-winning musical comedy! It's an evening bursting with girls, glamour and the glorious songs of George and Ira Gershwin.

An Ordway Production for the Holidays
A Christmas Story The Musical
Nov. 29-Dec. 28, 2014

There's only one thing Ralphie Parker wants for Christmas: an official Red Ryder Carbine-Action 200-shot Range Model Air Rifle. A Christmas Story is the hilarious account of Ralphie's desperate quest to ensure that this most perfect of gifts ends up under his tree this Christmas. This Ordway holiday production is a heartwarming theater event for the whole family.

The World Tour
The Illusionists Witness the Impossible
Mar. 24-29, 2015

Direct from Broadway, the world's best-selling magic show is coming to the Ordway. This mind blowing spectacular showcases the jaw dropping talents of seven of the most incredible Illusionists on earth. The Illusionists has shattered box office records across the globe and dazzled audiences of all ages with a powerful mix of the most outrageous and astonishing acts ever to be seen on stage. This non-stop show is packed with thrilling and sophisticated magic of unprecedented proportions.

Gilbert & Sullivan
The Pirates of Penzance
Apr. 7-12, 2015

Long before Johnny Depp swaggered his way across the Caribbean, a band of swashbuckling pirates set hearts aflutter with their high-seas high jinks. This cheeky farce fairly explodes across the stage with damsels in distress, a sexy Pirate King, a delightfully dotty Major-General, and a memorable score.

Lerner & Loewe
Camelot
May 12-17, 2015

Before "Game of Thrones," there was a place called Camelot. Lerner and Loewe captured the majesty and splendor of the enchanting fable of King Arthur, Guinevere, Lancelot and the Knights of the Round Table in this four-time Tony Award winning show. The celebrated score includes "If Ever I Would Leave You," "The Simple Joys of Maidenhood," and the title song, "Camelot."

An Ordway Production
Damn Yankees
Jun. 16-21, 2015

A middle-aged baseball fanatic trades his soul to the Devil for a chance to lead his favorite team to victory against the New York Yankees. He transforms the hapless Washington Senators into a winning team, only to realize the true worth of life. Fast-paced and wickedly clever, the Broadway classic Damn Yankees is all-American fun with an irreverent sense of humor.

As American as apple pie and the St. Paul Saints.

2014-2015 Ordway World Music & Dance Sponsored by Target:

A Night in Havana with Nachito Herrera and his Cuban Orchestra
Oct. 5, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. with dance floor

The incomparable Ignacio "Nachito" Herrera combines his love of classical music, with traditional Cuban rhythms and Latin Jazz. His orchestra includes members of the National Orchestra of Cuba and the Havana Jazz Social Club.

Creole Choir of Cuba
Oct. 22, 2014 at 7:30 p.m.

Something completely different and new from Cuba, the Creole Choir celebrate the history of their Haitian descendants enslaved to the Caribbean from West Africa. They bring to life the songs of their ancestors for modern times.

"For us music is like food, it feeds the spirit and is a major inspiration for everyday life."

Dobet Gnahoré
Jan. 11, 2015 at 7:30 p.m. with dance floor

Widely considered one of contemporary African music's most charismatic talents, Dobet Gnahoré has astounded audiences with her thrilling stage presence, appealing melodies and powerful singing. Gnahoré's diverse music composition moves from delicate ballads to upbeat African grooves, and serves as a resounding introduction to this voice of the future.

Contra-Tiempo
Feb. 7, 2015 at 7:30 p.m.

This Salsa, Afro-Cuban, urban and contemporary dance-theater is dedicated to transforming the world through dance. Their newest work, "Full Still Hungry," is an invigorating blend of physically intense and politically astute performance work about food and consumption.

Camille A. Brown & Dancers
Feb. 21, 2015 at 7:30 p.m.

A co-presentation with St. Catherine University at O'Shaughnessy Auditorium

Known for high theatricality, gutsy moves and virtuosic musicality, Camille A. Brown & Dancers soar through history like a whirlwind. The company's work explores typical, real life situations ranging from literal relationships to more complex themes with an eye on the past and present.

Cherish the Ladies
Mar. 17, 2015 at 7:30 p.m. in the new Ordway Concert Hall

Hailed by The Boston Globe as "a leading group in the Irish traditional world," the ensemble blends bravura musicianship, dynamic step dancing and an inimitable stage presence to create an explosively entertaining experience.

Diavolo
Apr. 18, 2015 at 7:30 p.m.

Transit Space, Fluid Infinities, and a new work entitled "Cubicle," co-commissioned by the Ordway.

Using abstract and recognized structures Diavolo explores the relationship between the danger of our environment and the fragility of the human body-fusing different movement vocabularies such as everyday movement, ballet, contemporary, acrobatics, gymnastics, martial arts, and hip-hop.

Subscription packages are currently on sale (beginning March 11, 2014). Patrons interested in purchasing a subscription package may visit ordway.org, call the Ticket Office at 651.224.4222 or visit the Box Office in person at 345 Washington Street, Saint Paul, MN 55012. Individual tickets will go on sale on June 23, 2014.

Camille A. Brown & Dancers tickets are available through the Ordway for subscriptions and add-ons until single tickets go on sale. Starting June 23, 2014, tickets can only be purchased through O'Shaughnessy Auditorium by visiting http://oshag.stkate.edu/tickets or calling their Ticket Office at 651.690.6700.

ABOUT THE ORDWAY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS: The Ordway is widely recognized as one of the nation's leading nonprofit performing arts centers and Saint Paul's most elegant and inviting performance space. The Ordway's Music Theater and soon-to-be completed Concert Hall attract diverse audiences with an array of productions showcasing the finest in American musical theater, world music, dance and vocal performance. Education and community engagement are integral to the Ordway's mission, with major initiatives including the annual Flint Hills International Children's Festival and Ordway Education programs that serve more than 50,000 students annually. The Ordway also sponsors the Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists, a professionally guided academic and artistic environment that trains aspiring pre-professional performing artists. Together with The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Minnesota Opera and The Schubert Club, the Ordway is a member of the Arts Partnership and serves as the principal venue for their performances.