Orpheum Theater Minneapolis
To see an historic theater go into decline is very sad and so it is good to see the restoration work of the Orpheum Theater Minneapolis. It is one of three theaters to be restored on Hennepin Avenue, the other two being the Pantages Theater and the State Theater. The Orpheum seats 1,500 people on the main floor and 1,100 on the balcony. Now, the audience can enjoy the productions as they were meant to be seen, in a theater brought back to its full glory.
The building opened its doors back in 1921 and it was then called the Hennepin Theater. The restoration was started in 1993 and revealed the craftsmanship of the original with its elaborate plasterwork in the auditorium, garlands and other decorative features. The Orpheum Theater Minneapolis has an impressive past, presenting numerous concerts, musicals and plays over the years. In recent years, there has been popular productions of Miss Saigon, Beauty and the Beast and Disney’s Lion King.
The future for the theater seems assured with productions lined up for 2008 that are bound to draw the crowds. Old favorites and new entertainment is planned for the Orpheum. February sees the run of the classic musical, My Fair Lady. Jesus Christ Superstar, the hit from Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, is scheduled in for May. It will feature Ted Neeley as Christ, a role he played in the movie version. A new version of an old favorite will also be featured in May. Spamalot is a musical, created by Eric Idle, based on Monty Python’s Holy Grail movie. It has already enjoyed success in London’s West End and on Broadway.
This theater district is an important part of the cultural life of Minneapolis. Patrons can also enjoy special deals at local participating restaurants. The area has many fine eating houses, including Italian, Asian, Spanish tapas and a grillhouse.
On the last Saturday of each month, there is a walking tour of the Orpheum Theater and the other two theaters in the district. These three theaters all practice an inclusive policy, welcoming everyone from the community. There are seating arrangements, suitable for people with mobility problems. The hearing impaired can view productions with an American Sign Language interpreter and the visually impaired can listen to an audio commentary description. The Orpheum Theater Minneapolis will continue to be a part of the community, offering a varied range of entertainment to local residents and visitors.
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