Tom Hoch News

Hennepin Theatre Trust has announced that Naomi Pesky will join the organization in November 2014 as Vice President of External Relations to oversee the overall positioning of the Trust and its leadership role in the new downtown Cultural District. Pesky brings more than 15 years of experience in leading teams, building brands and managing marketing and communications in the non-profit and corporate sectors. She will apply her expertise to developing a brand for the Cultural District, refining Trust messaging and leading the implementation of organizational strategies and resource development.

Hennepin Theatre Trust is pleased to announce that Judy Joseph has joined the organization as Vice President of Programming. Joseph brings nearly 30 years of experience working at various sized venues including large performing arts centers such as the Straz Center and the Broward Center in Florida. She adds her expertise to an existing Trust team that successfully programs hundreds of events ranging from tours of Tony winning Broadway shows, concerts and comedy to local collaborations presented in the prestigious Orpheum, State, Pantages and New Century Theatres.

Hennepin Theatre Trust today announced the election of Andrea Christenson of Cassidy Turley Commercial Real Estate Services and Jay Novak, managing director at Aethlon Capital, to its Board of Trustees. Providing leadership and expertise to the Trust, these individuals have extensive professional experience in the arts and philanthropy, retail, politics, communications, real estate, business, law and finance.

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.

Cabaret, in a provocative staging directed by the nationally acclaimed Peter Rothstein, continues the Broadway Re-Imagined series, a collaboration between Theater Latte Da and Hennepin Theatre Trust. This production of Kander and Ebb's groundbreaking musical also features a stellar cast showcasing such local talent as Sally Wingert, just named the Star Tribune's 2013 Artist of the Year, Jim Detmar, Tyler Michaels, Kira Lace Hawkins and Sean Dooley. Cabaret runs today, January 15-February 9, 2014 at the historic Pantages Theatre, 710 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis.

Cabaret, in a provocative staging directed by the nationally acclaimed Peter Rothstein, continues the Broadway Re-Imagined series, a collaboration between Theater Latte Da and Hennepin Theatre Trust. This production of Kander and Ebb's groundbreaking musical also features a stellar cast showcasing such local talent as Sally Wingert, just named the Star Tribune's 2013 Artist of the Year, Jim Detmar, Tyler Michaels, Kira Lace Hawkins and Sean Dooley. Cabaret runs January 15-February 9, 2014 at the historic Pantages Theatre, 710 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis. Tickets are on sale now at HennepinTheatreTrust.org, by calling 1.800.982.2787 and in person at the State Theatre Box Office.

Hennepin Theatre Trust announced today that Minnesota native and two time Tony Award nominee Laura Osnes will serve as the spokesperson for the 2013-14 SpotLight Musical Theatre Program, the Trust's flagship education initiative sponsored by TCF Bank. SpotLight celebrates students who excel in their high school musical theatre programs and provides educational support to the schools involved. Osnes, a former SpotLight student, is currently starring on Broadway in Rodgers+Hammerstein's Cinderella.

Hennepin Theatre Trust today announced the election of John Fox Blackshaw to its Board of Trustees, a group with extensive experience in the arts and philanthropy, politics, communications, real estate, business, law and finance.

Hennepin Theatre Trust has announced that Fawn Bernhardt-Norvell has joined the organization as Director of Development.

Hennepin Theatre Trust announced today that Rogue Valley, lauded local folk-rock band, is the next featured act in itsNew Century Sessions, at 7 p.m., Friday, Nov. 8, 2013. This new Minnesota music series, sponsored by Park Nicollet Health Services, gives artists a chance not only to play, but to share the evolution of their work and commune with the audience. The series runs at the Trust's intimate New Century Theatre in downtown Minneapolis and opened in September with a sold-out Jeremy Messersmith show. Twin Cities' band The Starfolk (Brian Tighe/Allison LaBonne) opens. New Century Sessions will showcase four more performances to be announced later.

Hennepin Theatre Trust previously announced that lauded local singer/songwriter Jeremy Messersmith will launch the New Century Sessions, a new Minnesota music series giving artists a chance to not only play, but to share the evolution of their work. The series will run at the Trust's intimate New Century Theatre in downtown Minneapolis. The concert featuring Messersmith with Twin Cities band Cjell Cruze opening, is set for 7 p.m. tonight, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2013. Doors open at 6:30.

Wicked, the smash hit musical, makes its much-anticipated return to Hennepin Theatre Trust's Orpheum Theatre, Wednesday, Sept. 18-Sunday, Oct. 27, 2013. This fourth Minneapolis engagement follows extremely popular runs in 2006, 2008 and 2010. Based on the best-selling 1995 novel by Gregory Maguire about the untold story of the witches of Oz, Wicked is the winner of 35 major awards, including a Grammy and three Tony Awards. Wicked is a special addition to Hennepin Theatre Trust's 2013/14 Broadway Across America-Minneapolis Season. Tickets are on sale now. For more information or to buy tickets, call 1.800.982.2787 or visit HennepinTheatreTrust.org.

Hennepin Theatre Trust announced today that lauded local singer/songwriter Jeremy Messersmith will launch the New Century Sessions, a new Minnesota music series giving artists a chance to not only play, but to share the evolution of their work. The series will run at the Trust's intimate New Century Theatre in downtown Minneapolis. The concert featuring Messersmith with Twin Cities band Cjell Cruze opening, is set for 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2013.

MADE HERE, an innovative, new initiative led by Hennepin Theatre Trust as part of the Hennepin Cultural District, is being launched in Block E to showcase the work of Minnesota artists through eclectic, temporary visual art displays in downtown storefronts. The program utilizes art to energize the Cultural District and promote leasable space in a new light to potential tenants.

MADE HERE, an innovative, new initiative led by Hennepin Theatre Trust as part of the Hennepin Cultural District, is being launched in Block E to showcase the work of Minnesota artists through eclectic, temporary visual art displays in downtown storefronts. The program utilizes art to energize the Cultural District and promote leasable space in a new light to potential tenants.

Hennepin Theatre Trust welcomes the 2013 League of Historic American Theatres' (LHAT) 37th Annual Conference, the largest gathering of historic theatre professionals in the country, to Minneapolis/St. Paul from today, July 16-20.

Hennepin Theatre Trust welcomes the 2013 League of Historic American Theatres' (LHAT) 37th Annual Conference, the largest gathering of historic theatre professionals in the country, to Minneapolis/St. Paul from July 16-20. The prestigious keynote speaker on July 17 is Rip Rapson, Minneapolis native and President/CEO of the Kresge Foundation. Rapson and Kresge are important catalysts in the national Creative Placemaking movement, which is the conference theme. The Trust joins other local partners including Schuler Shook, the Fitzgerald Theater and Cowles Center/Artspace in hosting conference events. Highlights include a theatre "ramble" touring area venues, tools and techniques sessions and an awards ceremony.

Hennepin Theatre Trust today announced the election of David B. Orbuch, Executive Vice President at Optum, to its Board of Trustees.

Hennepin Theatre Trust and Theater Latte Da announced today the launch of Broadway Re-Imagined, a new collaborative partnership taking a fresh look at Broadway and other musical theatre productions. The series kicks off in January 2013 with a co-production of Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida, imaginatively directed by Latte Da's acclaimed artistic director Peter Rothstein, at the historic Pantages Theatre, 710 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis.

Hennepin Theatre Trust and Minneapolis Musical Theatre (MMT) announced today a new partnership showcasing MMT's upcoming season at the Trust's New Century Theatre in City Center. This endeavor highlights MMT's ongoing evolution and commitment to presenting performances in downtown Minneapolis. Details about MMT's 2013 season and ticketing will be announced shortly. Additional information will be posted on HennepinTheatreTrust.org and at aboutmmt.org.