MMT Announces Their Great, Big, Surprising 10th Anniversary Season 2009-2010

The Minneapolis Musical Theatre (MMT) celebrates a major milestone as it announces the lineup for its 10th full season of productions. Dubbed its "Great, Big, Surprising 10th Anniversary Season", MMT has put together a slate of 2009-2010 productions that are sure to delight audiences of all ages.

Performing out of the Illusion Theater, the season kicks off to a "Great" beginning with the area premiere of "The Great American Trailer Park Musical" in November, and continues in a "Big" way when the rollicking "Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" takes the stage in March. Finally, the Minneapolis Musical Theatre concludes its 2009-2010 season in June with its "Surprising" take on a Jerry Herman musical theater classic when MMT co-founder Kevin Hansen assumes the title role in "Mame".

"The Great American Trailer Park Musical"
(Area Premiere - November 6-22, 2009)

Music and Lyrics by David Nehls
Book by Betsy Kelso
Note: This production contains adult language.

Directed by Steven J. Meerdink
Musical Direction by Kevin Hansen

Complete with a trashy Greek chorus of trailer park divas, this campy, caustic musical fable is rife with adultery, strippers and murderous ex-boyfriends. Armadillo Acres is Florida's most exclusive mobile home community. But when a stripper on the run comes between an agoraphobic housewife and her tollbooth collector husband, the hurricane of laughter begins to brew. An infectious score, cheeky script, and some of the most roof-raising, girl-group singing since the Pointer Sisters all add up to a fabulous and fun night out. The Great American Trailer Park Musical was first performed in the annual New York Music Theater Festival in 2004 and reopened off-Broadway on September 27, 2005.

"Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn"
(March 5-21, 2010)

Music and Lyrics by Roger Miller
Book by William Hauptman
Adapted from the novel by Mark Twain

Directed by Steven J. Meerdink
Musical Direction by Lori Maxwell

Come along for the adventure of a lifetime! Join Huck Finn and runaway slave Jim on a musical trip down the Mississippi River in Mark Twain's classic tale. Their adventures are hilarious, suspenseful and heartwarming, bringing to life all your favorite characters, including a rascally pair of river grifters, a grieving heiress and - of course - Tom Sawyer. The winner of 7 Tony Awards including Best Musical, and propelled by an award winning score from Roger Miller, the king of country music, this jaunty journey provides a brilliantly theatrical celebration of pure Americana.

"Mame"
(June 4-20, 2010)

Music and Lyrics by Jerry Herman
Book by Jerome Lawrence and Robert Edwin Lee

Directed by Steven J. Meerdink
Musical Direction by Lori Maxwell

Leave it to the Minneapolis Musical Theatre to put a new twist on this musical classic when co-founder Kevin Hansen (recently Albin/ZaZa in Jerry Herman's La Cage aux Folles) assumes the title role in Mame! When ten-year-old Patrick is sent to live with his larger-than-life Auntie Mame, he's exposed to her wealthy friends and free-wheeling lifestyle, and both Mame and Patrick's lives are turned upside down as they struggle to form a family through wild, turbulent times. The classic score includes such standards as It's Today, Open a New Window, If He Walked into My Life, Bosom Buddies and We Need a Little Christmas.

Information about the Minneapolis Musical Theatre and its 2009-2010 season (including season tickets) can be found on its website at www.aboutmmt.org.

Venue:
The Illusion Theater
8th Floor of Hennepin Center for the Arts
528 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55403 (corner of 6th and Hennepin)

Season Tickets:
$66 - Order online: www.aboutmmt.org

Performance Venue:
Illusion Theater
8th Floor
Hennepin Center for the Arts
528 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55403
(612) 339-4944

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