MINNEAPOLIS -- Hennepin Theatre Trust today unveiled the spectacular new lineup for the 2012/13 Broadway Across America-Minneapolis Season featuring five Minnesota debuts. The runaway highlight is THE BOOK OF MORMON, the hottest ticket on Broadway from the creators of South Park and the winner of nine 2011 Tony Awards including Best Musical. The season also features the stunning War Horse (2011 Best Play), along with hot new titles Catch Me If You Can, Priscilla Queen of the Desert and Flashdance. Running from October 2012 to June 2013 at the Trusts Orpheum Theatre in downtown Minneapolis, the season will also include Disneys Beauty and the Beast. Disney and Cameron Mackintoshs Mary Poppins will return as a season special addition. Hennepin Theatre Trust full-season subscribers, Donors and groups are first in line when season ticket packages go on sale Friday, January 27, 2012. Individual tickets will be made available later. Visit HennepinTheatreTrust.org for more information which will be posted soon.

From the inventive hilarity of THE BOOK OF MORMON, currently the hottest show on Broadway, to the achingly beautiful international sensation of War Horse, this years scope of productions delivers the unparalleled music and magic of the best in live theatre, commented Hennepin Theatre Trust President/CEO Tom Hoch. Five Minnesota debuts further reinforce Hennepin Avenue as the place to see the best new shows direct from Broadway.

First up this fall is Disneys Beauty and the Beast, a show that originated its first national tour at the Orpheum Theatre in 1995. This all new production runs for one week only, October 16-21, 2012. Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature film, this musical love story with such beloved songs as Be Our Guest and Beauty and the Beast has charmed more than 35 million people worldwide.

The Minnesota debuts begin December 11-16, 2012 when Catch Me If You Can lands at the Orpheum Theatre. Inspired by the real-life story of Frank Abagnale, Jr., this high-flying production tells how a teenager who ran away from home successfully posed as a pilot, a doctor and a lawyer with nothing but his boyish charm, a big imaginationand millions of dollars in forged checks.

Priscilla Queen of the Desert kicks off the new year January 8-13, 2013, bringing its uplifting story about a trio of friends on the road trip of a lifetime. With more than 500 dazzling 2011 Tony Award-winning costumes, this outrageously fun show features a hit parade of dance-floor favorites including Its Raining Men, Finally and I Will Survive.

THE BOOK OF MORMON, winner of nine 2011 Tony Awards including Best Musical, is an undeniable season highlight that makes its Minnesota debut for two weeks only at the Orpheum Theatre February 5-17, 2013. From four-time Emmy Award-winners Trey Parker and Matt Stone, creators of the landmark animated series South Park, and Tony Award-winner Robert Lopez, co-creator of the long-running hit musical comedy Avenue Q, it has been called the best musical of this century by The New York Times. The original Broadway cast recording for THE BOOK OF MORMON, nominated for a 2012 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album, is available on Ghostlight Records.

Flashdance, the journey of Alex, a woman who is a welder by day, but who dreams of obtaining a place at the prestigious Shipley Dance Academy, leaps into the Orpheum April 2-7, 2013. This new musical showcases the Academy Award-winning title track Flashdance - What a Feeling, Maniac, Gloria and I Love Rock & Roll, along with 10 original songs.

The magical British nanny touches down once again as Mary Poppins returns to Minneapolis by popular demand as a special addition to the season running April 23-28, 2013. Produced by Disney and Cameron Mackintosh, this favorite Broadway musical combines the best of the original stories by P.L. Travers with songs from the classic Walt Disney film including Chim Chim Cher-ee, A Spoonful of Sugar and Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.

War Horse, the heartwarming and thrilling season highlight, created at the prestigious National Theatre of Great Britain and winner of five 2011 Tony Awards including Best Play, debuts in Minnesota June 12-23, 2013. With astonishing life-sized puppets by South Africas Tony Award-winning Handspring Puppet Company bringing horses to life on stage, this imaginative World War I drama was called a landmark theatre event by Time Magazine.

SEASON TICKET INFORMATION

Season Ticket Packages for renewing and new subscribers go on sale Friday, January 27, 2012 and include THE BOOK OF MORMON, War Horse, Disneys Beauty and the Beast, Flashdance, Catch Me If You Can and Priscilla Queen of the Desert. Mary Poppins is returning as a season special so is an optional add-on. Package prices start at $174 and include applicable season ticket discounts, Select Seating, theatre restoration and handling fees. 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 Avenue, Mpls., 55402) with no additional service fees. 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. Monday, March 5, 2012 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 Season Packages, access concierge ticketing, buy tickets to individual shows and gain special benefits. To become a Donor, call 612.455.9516. 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 online as it becomes available at HennepinTheatreTrust.org and can also be received directly by signing up to receive email notification of the latest updates.

SEASON TICKET HOLDER BENEFITS

Season Ticket Holders get the best access to guaranteed seats for the years hottest shows and enjoy many benefits including:

Priority PRE-SALE opportunities to buy additional tickets before public on-sale dates

EASY payment planpay in installments at no additional charge

SEASON HANDBOOKan information guide, plus a dining coupon book

FREE TICKET EXCHANGE and replacement services

Benefits in ALL Broadway Across America markets

GUARANTEED prices for package seats

SELECT SEATINGsecure the best seats and support the non-profit work of the Trust

NETworks Presents

Disneys Beauty and the Beast October 16-21, 2012

Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature film, Disneys Beauty and the Beast has won the hearts of over 35 million people worldwide. This classic musical love story originated its national tour at the historic Orpheum Theatre in 1995. The all-new production is filled with unforgettable characters, lavish sets and costumes and dazzling production numbers including Be Our Guest and the beloved title song Beauty and the Beast. Experience the romance and enchantment of Disneys Beauty and the Beast at the Orpheum Theatre.

Catch Me If You Can December 11-16, 2012

Based on the hit DreamWorks film and the incredible true story that inspired it, Catch Me If You Can is the high-flying, splashy new Broadway musical that tells the story of Frank W. Abagnale, Jr., a teenager who runs away from home in search of the glamorous life. With nothing more than his boyish charm, a big imagination and millions of dollars in forged checks, Frank successfully poses as a pilot, a doctor and a lawyerliving the high life and winning the girl of his dreams. But when Franks lies catch the attention of FBI agent Carl Hanratty, Carl chases Frank to the end...and finds something he never expected. This delightfully entertaining musical has been created by a Tony Award-winning dream team with a book by Terrence McNally (The Full Monty, Ragtime), a swinging score by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (Hairspray), choreography by Jerry Mitchell (Hairspray, Legally Blonde) and direction by Jack O'Brien (Hairspray, The Full Monty, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels).

Priscilla Queen of the Desert January 8-13, 2013

Bette Midler proudly presents the most outrageously fun Broadway musical: Priscilla Queen of the Desert. This spectacular show tells the uplifting story of a trio of friends on the road trip of a lifetime, who hop aboard a battered old bus searching for love and friendship in the middle of the Australian outback and end up finding more than they could ever have dreamed. An international hit with over 500 dazzling, 2011 Tony Award-winning costumes, Priscilla features a hit parade of dance floor favorites including It's Raining Men, Finally and I Will Survive. The Hollywood Reporter calls Priscilla funny and fabulous! Joyous entertainment with eye-popping visuals and unexpected heart! Recommended for ages 13+ due to mature language and situations.

THE BOOK OF MORMON February 5-17, 2013

Nine 2011 Tony Awards say it's the Best Musical of the Year. Vogue says Its the best musical of the last 25 years." And The New York Times says, It's the best musical of the century. Its THE BOOK OF MORMON, the Broadway phenomenon from South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone and Avenue Q co-creator Robert Lopez. The Daily Show's Jon Stewart calls it, A crowning achievement. So good, it makes me angry. For more information, please visit BookofMormonTheMusical.com. Contains explicit language.

Flashdance The Musical April 2-7, 2013

What a feeling! Flashdance, the pop culture phenomenon and runaway international success, is now live on stage! It all started with a dream. To be bigger. To burn brighter. To dance harder. Now is the time to live the dream all over again. Based on the movie that defined a generation, Flashdance The Musical tells the unforgettable story of Alex, a working-class girl from Pittsburgh, striving to make her dreams of becoming a professional dancer a reality. Directed and choreographed by Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys, Memphis, The Addams Family), this new musical features a score of smash hits including the Academy Award-winning title track Flashdance - What a Feeling, Maniac and I Love Rock & Roll, along with 10 original songs. Experience the magic all over again. Flashdance will leave you begging for more!

Disney and Cameron Mackintoshs Mary Poppins April 23-28, 2013

Mary Poppins is bringing its own brand of Broadway magic to theaters across the country. The New York Daily News calls it a roof-raising, toe-tapping, high-flying extravaganza! Featuring an irresistible story and unforgettable songs from one of the most popular Disney films of all time plus breathtaking dance numbers and spectacular stage-craft, Mary Poppins is everything you could ever want in a hit Broadway show. So get swept up in the fun of this high-flying musical that the New York Post gives four out of four stars and calls a certifiable super hit!

War Horse June 12-23, 2013

A remarkable tale of courage, loyalty and friendship. England, 1914. As World War One begins, Joey, young Alberts beloved horse, is sold to the cavalry and shipped from England to France. Hes soon caught up in enemy fire, and fate takes him on an extraordinary journey, serving on both sides before finding himself alone in no mans land. But Albert cannot forget Joey and, still not old enough to enlist, he embarks on a treacherous mission to find him and bring him home. This powerfully moving and imaginative drama, filled with stirring music and songs, is a show of phenomenal inventiveness. At its heart are astonishing life-sized puppets created by South Africas Handspring Puppet Company, who bring breathing, galloping, charging horses to life on the stage.

HENNEPIN THEATRE TRUST, non-profit owner of the historic Orpheum, State, Pantages and the newly developed New Century Theatres, is dedicated to enriching the vibrant cultural atmosphere of the Twin Cities. We present a rich array of live performances, create inspiring arts education experiences and advance a thriving cultural destination in downtown Minneapolis. Our programs include Broadway touring productions, the Broadway Confidential series, our SpotLight Musical Theatre Program for high schools, the Critical View student reviewer program, our free ticket Access Program and Kids Night and leading the planning for the cultural corridor that will extend from the Walker Art Center to the Mississippi Riverfront.

Karen R. Nelson | Public Relations Director

612.455.9526 | 612.455.9502 fx

Karen.Nelson@HennepinTheatreTrust.org

615 Hennepin Avenue, Suite 140 | Minneapolis, MN | 55403

HennepinTheatreTrust.org

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