Regional Theater of the Week: The Ordway in St. Paul, MN!

By: Kristin Frosch

BroadwayWorld.com, the largest theatre site on the Internet, is excited to announce a new feature to its comprehensive regional coverage - the Featured Regional Theater of the Week! Each week, BWW will introduce its readers to a regional theater located in one of our (over 130!) coverage cities. By exploring these different venues, their history and showcasing the production seasons, BWW continues its commitment to expand our presence in communities and cities across the United States. 

This Week's Featured Regional Theater: The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in St. Paul, Minnesota 

Founded in 1980 by Sally Ordway Irvine, The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, located in Ramsey County, across from Rice Park in downtown Saint Paul, was established to showcase a diverse array of community performance art. Known as Minnesota's 'Premiere Performing Arts Center,' The Ordway's $45 million construction consists of a 1,900 seat Music Theater, a 360 seat McKnight Theatre, and two large rehearsal halls. 

As one the leading not-for-profit theatres, it attracts and houses a variety of critically acclaimed theatrical productions, world music and dance, family events, and educational programs. Its annual Flint Hills International Children's Festival serves over 50,000 children and adults. Since the theatre's opening, it has attracted a variety of Twin Cities-based performers and developed partnerships with The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, The Minnesota Opera, and the Schubert Club. In addition to sponsoring The Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists, a professional program that combines academics and art to enrich the educational experiences of area ninth through twelfth graders, the Ordway participates in many regional and national organizations from the Saint Paul Arts & Culture Partnership to the Kennedy Center. It is also one of five non-profit theatres to collaborate with Elephant Eye Theatrical, a new Broadway Production Company.

Under Producing Artistic Director, James A. Rocco, and Company Manager, Renee Prola, The Ordway continues to offer a variety of popular favorites-most recently-'Chicago,' starring veteran actor, John O'Hurley, and 'Fela!,' the 2010 Tony Award winning Afro-beat musical. Major upcoming shows include 'Billy Elliot: The Musical,' the Minnesota Opera's 'Anna Bolena,' and 'Elf: The Broadway Musical,' just in time for the holiday season.

For more information about the Ordway, visit: http://www.ordway.org/

Know of a theater we should feature? Send your suggestion to christina@broadwayworld.com