WICKED to Fly into Orpheum Theatre, 9/18-10/27

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.

Long before Dorothy drops in, two other girls meet in the Land of Oz. One-born with emerald-green skin-is smart, fiery and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious and very popular. Wicked tells the story of their remarkable odyssey, and how these two unlikely friends grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good.

With music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz (Godspell, Pippin, Academy Award-winner for "Pocahontas" and "The Prince of Egypt") and book by Winnie Holzman ("My So Called Life," "Once And Again" and "thirtysomething"), Wicked is directed by two-time Tony Award-winner Joe Mantello (Take Me Out, Love! Valour! Compassion!, The Vagina Monologues) and features musical staging by Tony Award winner Wayne Cilento (Aida, The Who's Tommy, How To Succeed...). It is produced by Marc Platt, Universal Pictures, The Araca Group, Jon B. Platt and David Stone.

"Wicked's track record at the Orpheum has been spectacular and we expect another fantastic run," commented Tom Hoch, Hennepin Theatre Trust's President and CEO. "Few shows generate such repeat and fervent enthusiasm!"

Wicked has "cast quite a spell" (Washington Post) throughout North America, breaking box office records in every city that it has played, including Toronto, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington, DC, Philadelphia and Boston. Wicked has been declared "a cultural phenomenon" by Variety and "the best musical of the decade" by Entertainment Weekly. There are now seven productions worldwide: New York, London, Holland, Japan, Australia/New Zealand and two concurrent North American tours. Globally, Wicked has amassed over $3 billion in ticket sales and has been seen by 36 million people worldwide in its nine year history.

Wicked features set design by Tony Award-winner Eugene Lee (Ragtime, Show Boat, Candide, Sweeney Todd), costume design by Tony-winner Susan Hilferty (Into the Woods, Assassins), lighting design by Tony nominee Kenneth Posner (The Coast of Utopia, Hairspray) and sound design by Tony Meola (The Lion King). Stephen Oremus is the show's musical director. Orchestrations are by William David Brohn, with dance arrangements by James Lynn Abbott.

The Grammy Award-winning cast recording available on Decca Broadway. For more information, log on to www.wickedthemusical.com.

Tickets for Wicked are on sale now and start at $49 (subject to change) depending on performance time and seating preference. Tickets may be purchased in person at the State Theatre Box Office (805 Hennepin Avenue, Mpls., 55402), online at HennepinTheatreTrust.org or through Ticketmaster by calling 1.800.982.2787 or visiting a Ticketmaster Outlet Center. . For patron protection and standard prices, Hennepin Theatre Trust strongly recommends purchasing only from authorized ticket outlets. All prices include applicable facility restoration fees. Additional charges may apply. Groups of 15 or more should call 612.373.5665 or contact MinneapolisGroups@broadwayacrossamerica for information and reservations.

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