Once, Winner of 8 Tony Awards, Including Best Musical, Returns to Minneapolis at State Theatre, June 23-28

Based on the 2007 Academy Award-winning film

Music and Lyrics by Academy Award Winners

Glen Hansard & Markéta Irglová

Book by Enda Walsh, Direction by John Tiffany

Movement by Steven Hoggett, Music Supervision and Orchestrations by Martin Lowe

Scenic and Costume Design by Bob Crowley, Lighting by Natasha Katz

Sound Design by Clive Goodwin

MINNEAPOLISOnce, winner of eight Tony Awards including Best Musical and winner of the 2013 Grammy Award for Best Musical returns to Minneapolis by popular demand to play the State Theatre (805 Hennepin Ave., downtown Minneapolis) for a limited engagement Tuesday, June 23 through Sunday, June 28, 2015. With music and lyrics from the original Academy Award-winning film, Once tells the enchanting tale of a Dublin street musician whos about to give up on his dream when a beautiful young woman takes a sudden interest in his haunting love songs. Tickets are on sale now. Visit HennepinTheatreTrust.org or call 1.800.982.2787 for tickets and more information.

Once, which was also named Best Musical by the New York Drama Critics Circle, Drama Desk, Drama League, Outer Critics Circle and Lucille Lortel Awards, ran for more than 1,100 performances on Broadway with acclaimed international productions from London and Melbourne to Japan and South Korea.

Once features the Academy Award-winning music and lyrics of Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, a book by award-winning Irish playwright & screenwriter, Enda Walsh (Penelope, Hunger, The New Electric Ballroom), direction by the acclaimed Scottish director of Black Watch, John Tiffany, movement by Steven Hoggett (Black Watch, American Idiot) and music supervision and orchestrations by Martin Lowe (Mamma Mia!). The set and costume design are by five time Tony Award winner Bob Crowley (The Coast of Utopia, Mary Poppins), lighting design is by Tony winner Natasha Katz (Aida, The Coast of Utopia) and sound design is by Clive Goodwin.

Once is the celebrated new musical based on the Academy Award-winning film. It tells the story of an Irish musician and a Czech immigrant drawn together by their shared love of music. Over the course of one fateful week, their unexpected friendship and collaboration evolves into a powerful but complicated romance, heightened by the raw emotion of the songs they create together. Brought to the stage by an award-winning team of visionary artists and featuring an ensemble cast of gifted actor/musicians, Once is a musical celebration of life and love: thrilling in its originality, daring in its honesty and unforgettable in every way.

The 2007 Academy Award-winning film, Once, was written and directed by John Carney, and starred Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, with original music and lyrics by Mr. Hansard and Ms. Irglová.

The Oscar winning independent Irish film, Once was made for $150,000. Shot in 17 days, it went on to gross $20M worldwide becoming a critically acclaimed international smash. It stars Glen Hansard, from the popular Irish Rock band The Frames, and Markéta Irglová. Glen and Markéta won the 2007 Academy Award for Best Original song for Falling Slowly, the Los Angeles Film Critics Award for Best Music, and the soundtrack was nominated for two Grammy Awards.

Once was originally developed at the American Repertory Theater (Cambridge, Massachusetts) in April 2011; Diane Paulus, Artistic Director; Diane Borger, Producer. A developmental run of Once at New York Theatre Workshop (James C. Nicola and William Russo) began performances on November 15, 2011 and opened December 6. The production broke box office records and concluded a sold out engagement including a two week extension through January 15, 2012.

Once is produced by Barbara Broccoli, John N. Hart Jr., Patrick Milling Smith, Frederick Zollo, Brian Carmody, Michael G. Wilson, Orin Wolf and Executive Producer Robert Cole, in association with New York Theatre Workshop.

For more information on Once, go to OnceMusical.com or HennepinTheatreTrust.org.

TICKET INFORMATION Tickets for Once are on sale now and start at $49 (subject to change) depending on performance time and seating preference. All prices include applicable facility fees. Additional service charges may apply. Tickets may be purchased in person (no service fees) at the State Theatre Box Office, online at HennepinTheatreTrust.org, by calling 1.800.982.2787 or visiting a Ticketmaster Center. Groups of 10 or more should contact MinneapolisGroups@broadwayacrossamerica or call 612.373.5665 for information and reservations.

Performance dates are Tuesday, June 23 through Sunday, June 28, 2015 at Hennepin Theatre Trusts State Theatre. Performance times are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 1 and 6:30 p.m.

HENNEPIN THEATRE TRUST, owner of the historic Orpheum, State, Pantages and New Century Theatres, is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to arts-inspired community cultural development. We achieve our mission by presenting a rich mix of live performances, creating inspiring arts education experiences and advancing a thriving Cultural District in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Trusts activities include presenting Broadway touring productions and the related Broadway Confidential series, concerts, comedy, speakers and other variety entertainment plus educational initiatives including our SpotLight Musical Theatre Program and Critical Review, Teen Ushers, the Access Program and Family Day on Hennepin.

BROADWAY ACROSS AMERICA is part of the Key Brand Entertainment family of companies which includes Broadway.com, under the supervision of John Gore (Owner & CEO). BAA is the foremost presenter of first-class touring productions in North America, operating in 38 markets. Currently represented on Broadway by Beautiful, and past productions include Pippin, Million Dollar Quartet, Hairspray, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Memphis, Promises, Promises, and The Producers. BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com; Broadway.com.

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is a proud sponsor of Hennepin Theatre Trusts 2014-2015 Broadway on Hennepin Season