THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA & More Set for Hennepin Theatre Trust's Holiday Season

Hennepin Theatre Trust announced their November and December 2013 holiday lineup at the Orpheum, State, Pantages and New Century Theatres in downtown Minneapolis. Highlights include former Stray Cats' retro swing guitarist, and Minneapolis resident, Brian Setzer, the hilarious Minnesota spoof of the Charles Dickens' classic A Don't Hug Me Christmas Carol, legendary country recording artist Martina McBride, the Grammy Award-winning harmonies of The Manhattan Transfer, the Emmy Award-winning quartet The Blenders, Broadway's Tony Award-winning Best Musical The Phantom of the Opera, the glittering Lorie Line, the Theater Latté Da/Cantus collaboration All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914, and the witty, stylish holiday offerings ofJohn Trones with special guest, piano sensation Jim Brickman in Christmas in the City. Please see below for specific show information or visit HennepinTheatreTrust.org.

Friday, Nov. 15 at 8 p.m.
The Brian Setzer Orchestra Christmas Rocks! 10th Anniversary Tour
Orpheum Theatre, 910 Hennepin Ave., Mpls.
Tickets: $43.50-$58.50
The Brian Setzer Orchestra, fronted by three-time Grammy Award-winner and Minneapolis resident Brian Setzer, brings their Christmas Rocks! 10th Anniversary Tour to the Orpheum Theatre. With a career spanning more than 30 years, Setzer has had smash hits as the founder/leader of The Stray Cats, with his 18-piece Brian Setzer Orchestra and as a solo artist.

November 22-January 5
Thursday and Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 5 and 8:30 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. Additional performances on Wednesday, Dec. 18 at 7:30 p.m. and Tuesday, Dec. 31 at 5 and 8:30 p.m.
A Don't Hug Me Christmas Carol
New Century Theatre, 615 Hennepin Ave., Mpls. (street level of City Center)
Tickets: $24-$27
It's Christmas Eve in Bunyan Bay, Minnesota and cantankerous bar owner Gunner Johnson is visited by folk legend, Sven Yorgensen, who plays the ghost of Christmas past, present and future. He takes Gunner on a journey like that in Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," only very different. Featuring 17 original songs including "Gramma Cut the Christmas Cheese," "Gunner Fell Into an Ice Hole" and "The Wheel is Turnin' but the Hamster is Dead," A Don't Hug Me Christmas Carol remains a Minneapolis holiday favorite after selling out all performances over the last six seasons.

Friday, Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m.
Pandora Presents Martina McBride: The Joy of Christmas
State Theatre, 805 Hennepin Ave., Mpls.
$54.50-$64.50
Legendary country recording artist and Grammy Award-winner Martina McBride will share her favorite holiday music in her debut performance at the State Theatre. The four-time Country Music Association "Female Vocalist of the Year" will perform everything from Christmas classics like "Let It Snow" and "I'll Be Home For Christmas" to hymns including "O Come All Ye Faithful" and "O Holy Night," as well as many of her country hits.

Wednesday, Dec. 11 at 7:30 p.m.
The Manhattan Transfer
Pantages Theatre, 710 Hennepin Ave., Mpls.
$53.50-$63.50, a limited number of Gold Circle tickets available for $104
The Manhattan Transfer, the multiple Grammy Award-winning vocal group known for their tight and precise four-part harmonies, will bring their Christmas show to the Pantages Theatre. For nearly 40 years, the quartet has put their own distinct spin on the sounds of jazz, R&B, pop, salsa and swing.

December 13-January 5
Tuesday-Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m., Sunday 1 at and 6:30 p.m.
Additional performances on Monday, Dec. 23 at 7:30 p.m. and Thursday, Dec. 26 at 2 p.m. No performances on December 14 (2 p.m. matinee), 24 and 25. Special performance time on Tuesday, Dec. 31 is 7 p.m.
The Phantom of the Opera
Orpheum Theatre, 910 Hennepin Ave., Mpls.
Tickets start at $39
Cameron Mackintosh's spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's phenomenal musical sensation The Phantom of the Opera will make its premiere in Minneapolis as part of a brand new U.S. National Tour following an acclaimed sell-out tour of the United Kingdom. Hailed as "stunning, intense and spectacular" by the Sunday Express, this production features a brilliant new design by Paul Brown, costumes by Maria Björnson, a new staging by Laurence Connor, director of the recent acclaimed 25th anniversary celebration at the Royal Albert Hall, and new choreography by Scott Ambler.

December 13-15
Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.
The Blenders Holiday Concert Tour
Pantages Theatre, 710 Hennepin Ave., Mpls.
$38
The perennially popular and Emmy Award-winning male quartet returns to the intimate Pantages Theatre for their annual Holiday Concert Tour, packed with a fabulous and energetic mix of carols, Christmas standards and original songs.

December 14-15
Saturday at 3 and 7:30 p.m., Sunday at 3 p.m.
Lorie Line: Born in Bethlehem
State Theatre, 805 Hennepin Ave., Mpls.
$50
In this year's theme, Born In Bethlehem, Lorie Line and her Fab Five will celebrate the traditional story of the birth of a King. Line will perform holiday favorites as well as brand new seasonal songs. Expect all the elements that make a Lorie Line show special: signature musical arrangements, colorful costumes, stories, world-class musicians and most importantly, bells!

December 19-22
Thursday and Friday at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at 2 and 7:30 p.m., Sunday at 1 and 6:30 p.m.
All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914
Pantages Theatre, 710 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis, 55403
$28-$37
All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914, the poignant production that has become a Twin Cities holiday classic and an annual theatre-going tradition, will return for six performances celebrating six years at the Pantages Theatre. With historical texts and songs of the era, All Is Calm recalls the remarkable and spontaneous World War I truce between Allied and German forces in No Man's Land over Christmas 1914.This compelling ode to peace was created by Theater Latté Da's acclaimed artistic director Peter Rothstein, features Cantus, one of America's finest vocal ensembles and is presented in collaboration with Hennepin Theatre Trust.

Monday, Dec. 23 at 7:30 p.m.
John Trones: Christmas in the City with Special Guest Pianist Jim Brickman
Pantages Theatre, 710 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis, 55403
$36.50-$79
The hottest holiday ticket in town is back! International recording artist and Minneapolis native John Trones returns home this season with his stylish and witty celebration of the holidays in Christmas in the City. Special guest, Grammy-nominated piano sensation, Jim Brickman joins John for this special 10th Anniversary concert along with Jen Burleigh Bentz of Broadway's Mamma Mia!

Tickets for all shows may be purchased online at HennepinTheatreTrust.org or through Ticketmaster at 1.800.982.2787 orticketmaster.com. Tickets for Brian Setzer, Martina McBride, The Manhattan Transfer, The Phantom of the Opera, The Blenders, Lorie Line, All is Calm and John Trones may also be purchased in person (no service fees) at the State Theatre Box Office (805 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis, 55403). Tickets for A Don't Hug Me Christmas Carol may also be purchased in person (no service fees) at the New Century Theatre Box Office (615 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis, 55403). All prices depend on seating preference and include applicable facility fees. Additional service charges may apply. Group minimums vary, please call 612.373.5665 for Orpheum, State and Pantages shows and 612.455.9501 for New Century shows.