Broadway's ALADDIN, WAITRESS, THE HUMANS and More Coming to Minnesota in 2017-18

Hennepin Theatre Trust today announced the Tony Award-winning lineup for the 2017-2018 Bank of America Broadway on Hennepin Season, featuring seven Minnesota premieres and three returning favorites.

Making their debuts at the historic Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis are ALADDIN, Disney's thrilling new production starring the original Broadway Aladdin Adam Jacobs, for a limited four-week engagement; WAITRESS, celebrating friendship and motherhood with music by six-time Grammy-nominated Sara Bareilles; THE HUMANS, the 2016 Tony Award-winning Best Play; and Andrew Lloyd Webber's SCHOOL OF ROCK featuring musical theatre's first-ever live kids rock band.

Also appearing for the first time in Minneapolis are the hilarious musical comedy SOMETHING ROTTEN!, an ode to musicals from the director of Aladdin and co-director of The Book of Mormon; Andrew Lloyd Webber's LOVE NEVER DIES, the spellbinding sequel to The Phantom of the Opera; and Broadway.com's Audience Choice Award winner FINDING NEVERLAND about playwright J.M. Barrie's inspiration for Peter Pan.

Back by popular demand are three Tony Award-winning musicals including the spectacular new production of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, the "too good to be true!" story of JERSEY BOYS and the long-awaited return of the razzle-dazzle smash CHICAGO.

Season subscriptions for the 2017-2018 Bank of America Broadway on Hennepin Season go on sale to the public on Monday, Jan. 23 at 3 p.m., with priority seating given to renewing season subscribers, Hennepin Theatre Trust Donors and group orders. The season opens in September 2017 and runs through July 2018 at the historic Orpheum Theatre.

"We are excited to bring this incredible lineup of dynamic and captivating productions to Hennepin Avenue," says Tom Hoch, President/CEO of Hennepin Theatre Trust. "We're excited to present a season that features seven shows making their Minnesota premieres at the Orpheum Theatre as well as bringing back three of the most popular musicals of all time. Audiences have come to expect the finest in touring Broadway and next year will be no exception. Our Broadway season adds to the vibrant arts and culture experience for everyone who visits WeDo - the West Downtown Minneapolis Cultural District."

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ABOUT THE 2017-18 SEASON:

Discover a whole new world when ALADDIN, the hit Broadway Musical kicks off the 2017-2018 season for a limited four-week engagement Sept. 15-Oct. 8, 2017. From the producer of Disney's The Lion King comes the timeless story of Aladdin in a thrilling new production filled with unforgettable beauty, magic, comedy and breathtaking spectacle. Adam Jacobs, who originated the role of Aladdin on Broadway, will lead the national tour where one lamp and three wishes make the possibilities infinite.

Featuring all the favorite songs from the film, as well as new music written by Tony and Academy Award winner Alan Menken (Newsies) and lyrics by Howard Ashman (Beauty and the Beast), Tony Award winner Tim Rice (The Lion King, Aida), and book writer Chad Beguelin (The Wedding Singer), ALADDIN is directed and choreographed by Tony Award-winner Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon, Something Rotten!), with sets, costumes and lighting from Tony Award winners Bob Crowley (Mary Poppins), Gregg Barnes (Kinky Boots), and Natasha Katz (An American in Paris).

Directed by visionary Tony Award-winner Diane Paulus and based on the critically-acclaimed Academy Award-winning film, FINDING NEVERLAND springs to life Oct. 31-Nov. 5, 2017. This is the incredible story of one of the world's most beloved characters, Peter Pan. Playwright J.M. Barrie struggles to find inspiration until he meets four Young Brothers and their widowed mother. Spellbound by the boys' enchanting make-believe adventures, he sets out to write a play that will astound theatregoers.

The irresistible new hit WAITRESS serves up an inspiring celebration of friendship, motherhood and the magic of well-made pie Nov. 21-26, 2017. This empowering musical, brought to life by a groundbreaking all-female creative team, tells the story of a small town waitress dreaming of her chance for a fresh start. Featuring original music and lyrics by six-time Grammy-nominated Sara Bareilles, the "little slice of heaven" is directed by Tony Award-winner Diane Paulus.

Cameron Mackintosh's spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA returns to Minneapolis Dec. 13-31, 2017. The beloved story and thrilling score, with songs like "Music of the Night," "All I Ask Of You," and "Masquerade," will be performed by a cast and orchestra of 52 musicians, making this PHANTOM one of the largest productions now on tour.

Stephen Karam's THE HUMANS makes its Minnesota premiere Feb. 13-18, 2018. This is an uproarious, hopeful, and heartbreaking play that takes place over the course of a family dinner on Thanksgiving. Breaking with tradition, Erik Blake has brought his Pennsylvania family to celebrate and give thanks at his daughter's apartment in Lower Manhattan. As darkness falls outside the ramshackle pre-war duplex and eerie things start to go bump in the night, the Blake clan's deepest fears and greatest follies are laid bare. Our modern age of anxiety is keenly observed, with humor and compassion, in this new American classic that won the 2016 Tony Award for Best Play.

Based on the hit film, the high energy new musical SCHOOL OF ROCK premieres March 6-11, 2018. The high-octane, hilarious new musical features all the original songs from the movie and 14 new songs from Andrew Lloyd Webber. It follows a wannabe rock star posing as a substitute teacher who turns a class of straight-A students into musical theatre's first-ever kids rock band playing their instruments live on stage.

From the director of Aladdin and the co-director of The Book of Mormon, Casey Nicholaw, SOMETHING ROTTEN! premieres April 3-8, 2018. Brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom are desperate to write a hit play but are stuck in the shadow of that Renaissance rock star known as "The Bard." When a local soothsayer foretells that the future of theatre involves singing, dancing and acting at the same time, Nick and Nigel set out to write the world's very first musical.

JERSEY BOYS returns April 24-29, 2018. The 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 who became one of the greatest successes in pop music history.

Summer will be hotter than ever with the eagerly anticipated return of Broadway's longest running American musical, the razzle-dazzle smash CHICAGO coming June 5-10, 2018. This six-time Tony Award-winner is a tale of fame, fortune and all that jazz with one show-stopping song after another.

The season concludes with a thrilling rollercoaster ride of intrigue, obsession and romance in Andrew Lloyd Webber's LOVE NEVER DIES making its Minnesota premiere June 26-July 1, 2018. The spellbinding sequel to The Phantom of the Opera continues the ultimate love story ten years after the Phantom's disappearance from the Paris Opera House amongst the screaming joy rides and freak shows of Coney Island. The Phantom has never stopped yearning for his one true love, Christine.

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Season subscriptions go on sale on Monday, Jan. 23, 2017 at 3 p.m., and can be purchased in person at the State Theatre Box Office (805 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis), online at HennepinTheatreTrust.org or by phone at (800) 859- 7469.

The seven-show season subscription package includes Aladdin, Finding Neverland, Waitress, The Humans, School of Rock, Something Rotten! and Love Never Dies, with prices starting at $289. An eight-show package, including The Phantom of the Opera starts at $338. Both packages include applicable season ticket discounts, and theatre restoration and handling fees. Jersey Boys and Chicago can be added to either season subscription package.

All season subscribers are guaranteed the same seats at locked-prices for each show in their seven- or eight-show package and receive exclusive benefits including monthly payments, online ticket management and automatic renewals. Hennepin Theatre Trust Donors at the Associate level ($250) receive personalized ticketing services and priority access to all shows in the Broadway on Hennepin Season ahead of the general public. To become a Donor, call (612) 455-9536 or visit HennepinTheatreTrust.org/support.

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.

Current season subscribers are urged to renew immediately to keep their season seats or to request an upgrade. The renewal deadline is Monday, March 6, 2017. Group tickets are also on sale now, with discounts available for many performances. These are a great way to celebrate family, office or social occasions. Group minimums and discounts vary; call (612) 373-5665 for more information or to make group reservations.

Subscribers to the 2017-2018 Bank of America Broadway on Hennepin Season will have first access to HAMILTON when they renew their subscription for the 2018-2019 season.

HENNEPIN THEATRE TRUST is a nonprofit organization that creates positive change through the arts by bringing together people, businesses and organizations in WeDo, the West Downtown MPLS Cultural District. We serve the community through our four theatres - the Orpheum, State, Pantages and New Century - and our unique arts, culture and education programs. Learn more at HennepinTheatreTrust.org and wedompls.org.

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