'HEDWIG,' AN AMERICAN IN PARIS & More Set for Ordway Center's 2016-17 Season

The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts unveiled its 2016-2017 season this evening during its season announcement and community reception celebration, which also kicked off the 16th annual Flint Hills International Children's Festival. The season includes a variety of Ordway produced musicals, Broadway tours, world music concerts, dance performances, Broadway Songbook offerings and special performances that reflect the Ordway's mission of bringing the finest performing arts to Saint Paul.

"The 2016-2017 Ordway Season is filled with unforgettable new adventures for every audience," said Jamie Grant, Ordway president and CEO. "Our artistic team has curated a season filled with some of the best touring acts from around the world alongside self-produced shows that showcase Minnesota's local, award-winning artists. This upcoming season has something for everyone."

The 2016-2017 Musical Theater Series, sponsored by Bremer Bank, kicks off in August with Lerner & Loewe's Paint Your Wagon, sponsored by Travelers Insurance and co-presented with Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre. Starring Tony Award-nominated actor Robert Cuccioli and featuring a reimagined book by Pulitzer Prize finalist Jon Marans, this new classic is a sweeping saga of the mythic West and the pursuit of the American Dream.

In December, Irving Berlin's White Christmas, sponsored by Frauenshuh, returns to the Ordway for the first time since 2008. This heartwarming holiday classic, based on the beloved film of the same name, is filled with spectacular dancing and some of the greatest songs ever written. Directed and choreographed by James A. Rocco, Ordway's vice president of programming and producing artistic director, Irving Berlin's White Christmas is the perfect holiday event for the entire family.

The national tour of Hedwig and the Angry Inch makes a stop in Saint Paul in February. Innovative, heartbreaking and wickedly funny, this landmark musical won four 2014 Tony Awards, including Best Musical Revival, and played to sell-out crowds on Broadway.

One of musical theater's greatest love stories of all time comes to the Ordway in April with West Side Story. This Ordway production will be brought to life through collaboration with artistic leaders from the Twin Cities community, including Teatro del Pueblo Artistic Director Alberto Justiniano, and fueled by a two-year collaborative investment by both organizations in the training of diverse artists in the Twin Cities community.

June brings the first national tour of An American in Paris, a love story about an American soldier and a mysterious French girl in post-war Europe. Experience the magic and romance of Paris with unforgettable songs from George and Ira Gershwin with this Tony Award-winning hit.

The popular Broadway Songbook series, written by Rocco and Jeffrey P. Scott, returns to the Ordway for a sixth season with two all-new offerings: Rebels on Broadway in September and Hollywood and Broadway in May 2017.

"Over the past 10 years, the Ordway has expanded its mission as a curator and contributor to the art and diversity of musical theater. This season exemplifies that mission by inviting new narratives onto the stage and retelling classic narratives in bold, different ways," said Rocco.

The Ordway also announced its next season of world music and dance performances. Dayna Martinez, Ordway's artistic director of world music, dance and the International Children's Festival, said, "We're thrilled to continue our education and community outreach efforts next season with the World Music & Dance Series. In addition to each artist performing at student matinees, we'll also continue to offer master classes, workshops and community programming throughout the season."

The 2016-2017 World Music & Dance Series, sponsored by Target, begins in Oct. with Martha Redbone - Bone Hill: The Concert, followed by Step Afrika!'s performance of a new Ordway co-commissioned piece. The new year brings a one-night-only performance of The Lagos Music Salon by Somi, and continues in March with an evening showcase of Native contemporary dance titled Oyate Okodakiciyapi and the vibrant Afro-Mexican sounds of Las Cafeteras. The season wraps-up in the spring with Indigenous, a group that blends blues rock with powerful songwriting and gritty riffs, and TU Dance, who will present a new piece commissioned by the Ordway.

In addition to its Musical Theater Series and World Music & Dance Series, the Ordway also announced six special performances to be presented as part of its 2016-2017 season. In Oct., matchboxes, brooms, garbage cans, Zippo lighters and more will fill the stage with energizing beats and rhythms with Stomp, followed by Sphinx Virtuosi, one of the nation's most dynamic professional chamber orchestras. NPR's popular radio show, From the Top with host Christopher O'Riley, will do a recorded broadcast from the Ordway in Nov., and The Hip Hop Nutcracker, featuring special guest MC Kurtis Blow, returns just in time for the holidays after a near sell-out run in 2015. Local music legends, The Steeles, give their own spin to Gershwin classics in April, and in June the Ordway welcomes Circus 1903, a turn of the century circus spectacular from the producers of The Illusionists.

"The Ordway is one of only places in the state where you can see a Broadway tour one day, a local music group the next, and a new work by a contemporary dance company the day after that," added Grant. "We're so excited to share the 2016-2017 season with the Twin Cities community."

Subscription packages are now on sale for the Ordway 2016-2017 season, with single tickets going on sale on June 13, 2016.

2016-2017 Ordway Theater Season, Sponsored by Bremer Bank

Lerner & Loewe's Paint Your Wagon

Sponsored by Travelers Insurance

Aug. 9-21, 2016

The pursuit of the American Dream gives way to the greed and temptation of the California Gold Rush in Lerner & Loewe's sweeping western saga. This production is presented in collaboration with Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre.

Broadway Songbook: Rebels on Broadway

Sept. 23-25, 2016

Throughout its history, Broadway has consistently challenged the status-quo with social and political subversion that is equal parts education and entertainment.

An Ordway Production for the Holidays
Irving Berlin's White Christmas
Sponsored by Frauenshuh

Dec. 8-Dec. 31, 2016

Filled with laughter, joy and a shameless amount of dancing, this timeless tale will warm your heart this holiday season.

Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Feb. 14-19, 2017

Brilliantly innovative, heartbreaking and wickedly funny, this landmark American rock musical is "groundbreaking and undoubtedly ahead of its time" (Entertainment Weekly).

An Ordway Production

West Side Story
April 4-16, 2017

Love and loyalties will be tested as the Sharks and the Jets battle for control of New York's streets. This production will be brought to life through collaboration with artistic leaders from the Twin Cities community, including Teatro del Pueblo Artistic Director Alberto Justiniano, and fueled by a two-year collaborative investment by both organizations in the training of diverse artists in the Twin Cities community.

Broadway Songbook: Hollywood and Broadway
May 14-21, 2017

Join us for an evening that explores the crossover between stage and screen, and highlights some of the most successful film and musical re-imaginings of all time.

An American in Paris

June 13-18, 2017

The hit new musical about an American soldier, a mysterious French girl and an indomitable European city, each yearning for a new beginning in the aftermath of war. This stunning four-time Tony-winning production earned more awards than any other musical in the 2014-2015 Broadway season.

2016-2017 Ordway World Music & Dance, Sponsored by Target

Martha Redbone - Bone Hill: The Concert
Oct. 8, 2016

Martha Redbone combines R&B, soul and traditional Native American elements to create a gritty collision of musical cultures.

Step Afrika!
Oct. 29, 2016

Step Afrika! brings to the stage their critically acclaimed new work, The Migration: Reflections on Jacob Lawrence, co-commissioned by the Ordway. Their combination of song, story and percussive dance styles will have your heart pounding.

The Lagos Music Salon by Somi
Jan. 27, 2017

Elegant and eclectic, Somi deftly straddles the lines between pop, soul and African Jazz to create a captivating sound that has led to collaborations with John Legend, Paul Simon, Jennifer Hudson and more.

Oyate Okodakiciyapi: An Evening of Native Contemporary Dance
March 4, 2017

A showcase of innovative choreographers and dance companies that highlights the unique dance styles and artistic traditions of Native American cultures. Co-curated with Rosy Simas Danse.

Las Cafeteras

March 23, 2017

The magnetic Afro-Mexican storytellers from East L.A. blend deeply emotional lyrics with a socially conscious message that's inspired by the communities in which they live. With a dance floor and opening band, Alma Andina.

Indigenous
April 21, 2017

With a foundation of powerful songwriting, gritty riffs and soaring guitar solos, Indigenous has cultivated a blues-rock sound that harkens back to Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan.

TU Dance
April 29, 2017

A connective force that unites the audience and performers through grace, power and complex physical poetry. This performance will feature a new piece commissioned by the Ordway.

2016-2017 Ordway Special Performances

Stomp
Oct. 18-23, 2016

Matchboxes, brooms, garbage cans, Zippo lighters and more fill the stage in this inventive and invigorating stage show that's dance, music and theatrical performance blended together in one electrifying rhythm.

Sphinx Virtuosi with Catalyst Quartet
Oct. 30, 2016

Audiences will be taken on a tantalizing journey through a mosaic of sounds and colors that explore the diverse cultures of our world. This performance is co-presented with The Schubert Club and The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra.

NPR's >From the Top with host Christopher O'Riley
Nov. 13, 2016

Classically-trained musical prodigies will astonish audiences with their artistry, dexterity and passion in this recorded broadcast of NPR's popular radio show. This performance is co-presented with The Schubert Club, with generous support from the Art and Martha Fund of HRK Foundation.

The Hip Hop Nutcracker
Nov. 22-23, 2016

Tchaikovsky's classic ballet meets New York style in this must-see mash-up of cultures, creativity and explosive hip-hop choreography. Featuring special guest MC Kurtis Blow.

The Steeles - The Colors of Gershwin
April 21, 2017

Local music legends who have filled theaters and auditoriums around the world with the bold, heartfelt and melodic sounds of jazz, blues, R&B, pop and gospel.

Circus 1903 - The Golden Age of Circus

June 27-July 2, 2017

The producers of The Illusionists have teamed up with award-winning puppeteers (from productions such as Warhorse) to create a turn-of-the century circus spectacular.

Subscription & Individual Ticket Sales

Subscription packages are currently on sale for the Ordway's 2016-2017 season. Subscription packages start at $125 and can be purchased online at www.ordway.org, by phone at 651-224-4222 or in person at the Ordway ticket office at 345 Washington Street, Saint Paul, MN, 55102.

Individual tickets will go on sale to the public on June 13, 2016.