W hat better way to kick off the new year than by joining us for the national tour launch of Priscilla Queen of the Desert Based on the 1994 movie starring Guy Pearce, this outrageously fun show tells the uplifting story of three friends whose lives take a new turn on a roadtrip in the Australian outback. With more than 500 Tony Award-winning costumes, this flashy musical features a hit parade of nearly 30 dance floor favorites including “It’s Raining Men,” “Finally” and “I Will Survive.” On behalf of <strong>Hennepin</strong> <strong>Theatre</strong> <strong>Trust</strong>, we are thrilled you are to be among the first to see this new musical which will travel across the country after its Minnesota premiere. What a sensational way to kick off the new year! The Orpheum <strong>Theatre</strong> has hosted other national premieres including Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and Aida, as well as world premieres of Disney’s The Lion King, Sweet Charity, Victor/Victoria and The 101 Dalmatians Musical. The <strong>Trust</strong> is proud that it and our venues are recognized nationally as optimal locations to begin countrywide tours that reinforce the city’s reputation for top notch theatre and intelligent, supportive theatre audiences. We all benefit when our restaurants, parking ramps and hotels are full and local workers are employed by our theatres. Our cultural district adds economic value, variety, diversity and interest to our vibrant downtown. To build an even better core for Minneapolis, <strong>Hennepin</strong> <strong>Theatre</strong> <strong>Trust</strong> has been working with the Walker Art Center, Artspace and the City of Minneapolis on Plan-It <strong>Hennepin</strong>, a one-year initiative to re-imagine <strong>Hennepin</strong> Avenue as a revitalized cultural district running from the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden to the Mississippi River. Over the past year, we heard from nearly 1,500 people concerned with the future of our city’s oldest street through Plan-It <strong>Hennepin</strong> workshops, roundtable discussions and on the <strong>Trust</strong>’s website and Facebook page. We’re now working with General Mills’ “Goodworks” program to explore branding and marketing for the district. Thank you General Mills! <strong>Hennepin</strong> Avenue is already home to some 57 arts, culture and education organizations, more than 12,000 theatre seats, almost 90,000 square feet of visual art exhibition space, a 7.5 acre sculpture garden, 20,000 day and evening students and four regional churches of various denominations. We want to weave together these existing pearls to create a nationally acclaimed, year-round cultural destination for all residents and visitors alike. We are currently working with the city and our partners to finalize our cultural district plan. And, we are already taking steps to further revitalize <strong>Hennepin</strong> Avenue with initiatives like one that will activate vacant storefronts. Look for our work to begin appearing soon. Thank you again for joining us to kick off the new year with the national tour launch of Priscilla Queen of the Desert. I hope you can join us again and again throughout 2013. Yours truly, Thomas L. Hoch President/CEO, <strong>Hennepin</strong> <strong>Theatre</strong> <strong>Trust</strong> <strong>Hennepin</strong> <strong>Theatre</strong> <strong>Trust</strong>, owner of the historic Orpheum, State, Pantages and New Century <strong>Theatre</strong>s, is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to arts-inspired community cultural development. 2 PLAYBILL
ONE GIRL. ONE DREAM. ONE CHANCE. LIVE ON STAGE! National<strong>Theatre</strong> of Great Britain and Bob Boyett present WarHorse Winner! ® 2011 Tony 5Awards IN PERSON: State <strong>Theatre</strong> Box Office (no service fees) BY PHONE: 800.982.2787 ONLINE: <strong>Hennepin</strong><strong>Theatre</strong><strong>Trust</strong>.org Groups Save! 612.373.5665