KINKY BOOTS, PIPPIN, THE BOOK OF MORMON, and More Round Out 2014-15 Broadway on Hennepin Season

Hennepin Theatre Trust today announced its stellar and far-ranging new 2014-2015 Thrivent Financial Broadway on Hennepin season, featuring Broadway's hottest Tony Award-winning shows, five Minnesota premieres and many classic favorites. Making their local debuts are Kinky Boots, winner of six 2013 Tony Awards including Best Musical, Pippin, the 2013 Tony Award-winner for Best Musical Revival and the record-breaking hit Motown The Musical. The season runs from August 2014 through August 2015 at the historic Orpheum, State and Pantages Theatres.

Back by popular demand following its recording-breaking Minneapolis run in 2013, The Book of Mormon, the multi-Tony Award-winning musical from the creators of South Park, will return for a limited three week engagement.

Appearing for the first time in Minneapolis is Dirty Dancing-The Classic Story on Stage and I Love Lucy® Live on Stage. The season also features such popular audience favorites as Annie, Jersey Boys, Disney's Beauty and the Beast and Irving Berlin's White Christmas. The poignant Oliver! is showcased in the continuation of the innovative Broadway Re-Imagined series, co-produced locally by Theater Latté Da and the Trust.

Broadway on Hennepin season subscribers, Hennepin Theatre Trust Donors and groups can purchase tickets first when season packages go on sale at 9 a.m., Wednesday, January 22, 2014. Individual tickets will be made available later. Visit HennepinTheatreTrust.org for more information.

"An outstanding 'Broadway on Hennepin' season like this, with five productions that have never been here before including two, new 2013 Tony winners, makes our downtown Cultural District an entertainment magnet for residents and visitors alike," commented Tom Hoch, President/CEO of Hennepin Theatre Trust. "Minneapolis is known for its arts and culture and we thank our community for the enthusiastic support which makes it possible for us to bring these musicals to town as well as produce shows locally."

"Thrivent Financial is proud to support Hennepin Theatre Trust and its upcoming Broadway season," stated Michael Dominowski, Director of Community Relations. "The touring and local theatre offerings help make downtown Minneapolis, where over 1,000 Thrivent employees work, a thriving and vibrant destination. This was truly unique way for Thrivent to be a part of the community."

The season begins in August 2014 with the return The Book of Mormon, the nine-time Tony Award-winning Best Musical from the creators of South Park, which runs at the Orpheum, August 20-September 7. The New York Times calls it "the best musical of this century."

The step-up appeal of Dirty Dancing-The Classic Story on Stage takes center stage October 7-19 at the Orpheum. Dancing and passion make this stage adaptation come to life with the hit songs everyone knows and loves including "Hungry Eyes," "Do You Love Me?" and the heart stopping "(I've Had) The Time of My Life." Arriving just in time for the holidays at the Orpheum is the sensational Irving Berlin's White Christmas, November 25-30, featuring Berlin classics like "Blue Skies," "How Deep is the Ocean?" and, of course, the unforgettable title song.

Turning up the heat December 16-28 at the Orpheum, the record-breaking smash hit Motown The Musical is the true American dream story of Motown founder Berry Gordy's journey from featherweight boxer to the heavyweight music mogul who launched the careers of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Smokey Robinson and many more. Featuring classic songs such as "My Girl" and "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," Motown The Musical tells the story behind the hits as the whole Motown family fights against the odds to create the soundtrack that changed America. Motown shattered barriers, shaped our lives and made us all move to the same beat.

Adapted from the most beloved program in television history, the brand new hit show I Love Lucy® Live on Stage brings comic antics to the State Theatre January 20-25, 2015. Lucy, Ricky, Fred and Ethel are presented live on stage for the very first time! Oliver!, the newest Broadway Re-Imagined offering from the Hennepin Theatre Trust and Theater Latté Da partnership, will debut at the Pantages Theatre, February 4-March 1, 2015. In this poignant, extraordinary tale with a twist, nationally acclaimed director Peter Rothstein brings Charles Dickens' vivid characters to life with iconic songs like "Consider Yourself," "Food, Glorious Food" and "You've Got to Pick a Pocket or Two."

Pippin, winner of four 2013 Tony Awards including Best Revival of a Musical, makes its Minnesota debut at the Orpheum, February 17-22, 2015. In an astonishing new production full of sizzling choreography in the style of Bob Fosse plus death-defying acrobatics, Pippin tells the story of a young prince in search of the meaning of his existence. Will he choose a happy, but simple life or will he risk everything for glory?

The ever popular Disney's Beauty and the Beast, presented by NETworks, returns to the Orpheum, March 10-15, 2015. This family favorite is filled with unforgettable characters, lavish costumes and dazzling production numbers including "Be Our Guest" and the beloved title song. The Tony Award-winning Annie returns to the Orpheum March 31-April 5, 2015, bursting with gutsy charm and eternal optimism. This timeless story of America's favorite orphan features indefatigable songs like "Tomorrow" and "It's the Hard Knock Life."

Oh, what a night! The Tony and Grammy Award-winning Best Musical Jersey Boys returns to the Orpheum April 28-May 3, 2015. This energetic story about Rock and Roll Hall of Famers The Four Seasons has audiences coming back again and again to relive the excitement of the smash hit musical about how four blue-collar kids became one of the greatest successes in pop music history. Kinky Boots, Broadway's new high-heeled hit, makes its Minneapolis debut July 28-August 2, 2015 at the Orpheum. Winner of six 2013 Tony Awards including Best Musical, Kinky Boots is the heartwarming story of Charlie Price, a man trying to live up to his father's legacy and save the family business. He finds inspiration in the form of Lola, a fabulous entertainer in need of some sturdy stilettos. With an original pop score from Tony and Grammy Award-winner Cyndi Lauper, this red-hot musical smash has sold-out audiences on Broadway dancing in the aisles every night.

Subscription Packages for renewing and new subscribers go on sale at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2014 The eight show package includes Kinky Boots, Pippin, The Book of Mormon, Motown the Musical, Dirty Dancing, I Love Lucy® Live on Stage, Annie, and Irving Berlin's White Christmas. Package prices start at $298. For the seven show package (not including The Book of Mormon) prices start at $249. Both packages include applicable season ticket discounts, theatre restoration and handling fees. Season Specials are Jersey Boys, Disney's Beauty and the Beast and Oliver! Information is available 24 hours a day at HennepinTheatreTrust.org. Patrons can purchase a season ticket package in person at the State Theatre Box Office (805 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis, 55402). Ticket buyers can also visit HennepinTheatreTrust.org, call the Broadway Across America Season Ticket Hotline at 1.800.859.SHOW (7469) or fax their order to 1.800.329.8587.

Current Season Ticket Holders are urged to respond to renewal notices immediately to retain their season seats or to request an upgrade. Friday, February 21 is the renewal deadline. Group tickets, with discounts available for many performances, are also on sale now and provide a great way to celebrate many family, office or social occasions. Group minimums and discounts vary; please call 612.373.5665 for information and reservations.

Hennepin Theatre Trust Donors can also purchase Subscription Packages, access concierge ticketing, buy tickets to individual shows and gain special benefits. To become a Donor, call 612.455.9513. Single tickets for individual productions will go on sale to the general public at a later date. Prices, shows, artists, dates and times are subject to change without notice. Further information will be posted as it becomes available at HennepinTheatreTrust.org. Patrons can also sign up to get email notifications of the latest updates.

Season Ticket Holders get the best access to 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, an easy payment plan to pay in monthly installments at no additional charge, a season handbook including an information guide and a dining coupon book, free ticket exchange and replacement services, benefits in all Broadway Across America markets, guaranteed premium seat locations, and special event invitations to private parties, backstage tours and other opportunities.

Photo Credit: Matthew Murphy