Engaging Our COmmunity - Hennepin Theatre District

2007–08 PRESENTING HIGHLIGHTS “Art is my passion. I’m thrilled to help make Hennepin
Avenue a true art destination.”
Broadway touring productions
Minneapolis became the fi rst market to host Disney’s The Lion King
for the third time, and our fi ve-week Minneapolis engagement reached
nearly 100% capacity crowds. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of this
phenomenonal show, the Trust collaborated with Disney to provide
complimentary tickets to students at the Lincoln International Downtown
High School. Many who attended were recent East African immigrants,
who experienced their fi rst encounter with Broadway live theatre!
Avenue Q – This production of the 2004 Tony Award Winner for Best
Musical grew in popularity during its two-week run through lively
word-of-mouth and innovative marketing efforts including some
creative puppet art that was a huge hit on billboards. Generating
many new fans among college students, the show tried to answer the
time-worn question of “What do you do with a B.A. in English?”
Jersey Boys – This 2006 Tony Award Winner for Best Musical is the
hit song-punctuated story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. The
five-week Orpheum engagement was the talk of the town, with many
patrons seeing the show multiple times. You couldn’t miss the buzz in
the local media.
–Ralph Burnet, Trust Board Member/Chambers Hotel owner
speakers series
The Trust, in collaboration with The Loft Literary Center, initiated our
first Literary Legends series that featured poet Mary Oliver, authors
Armistead Maupin and Khaled Hosseini, historian David McCullough
and humorist David Sedaris.
The Trust’s multi-year partnership with National Geographic Live!
continued with four exciting and engaging speakers presenting both
student matinees and evening events.
LiTerAry LeGeNdS autHOr/HistOrian DaviD mcCullOugH
signED BOOks aFtEr His statE tHEatrE talk.
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