In an effort to clarify its public image, Ordway Music Theatre, the two venue presenting and producing organization in St. Paul, MN, changed its name Jan. 10 to Ordway Center for the Performing Arts.
The 15-year-old facility serves 500,000 people yearly and houses national tours, original productions (such as the rock musical, Romeo and Juliet, under the umbrella of "Ordway Originals"), The Minnesota Opera, The Minnesota Orchestra, The Schubert Club and The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra.
The center includes the 322-seat McKnight Theatre and the 1,900-seat Main Hall.
The Ordway's 1999-2000 theatrical offerings among many performing arts presentations throughout the year, include Jolson (July 1999); the world premiere of the Terrence Mann-Jerome Korman rock musical, Romeo and Juliet (August 1999); an Ordway Original staging of A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Forum (November 1999); the national tour of Rent (December 1999), whose co-producer, Kevin McCollum, is the Ordway's president and CEO; the national tour of The Scarlet Pimpernel (March 7-18, 2000); the tour of Les Miserables (June 7-24, 2000); the Ordway Original world premiere of a romantic musical comedy called Adventures in Love, at the smaller McKnight (April 4-May 28, 2000); and a booking of the Ordway-produced tour of Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story (May 30-June 4, 2000).
A three-month sitdown of Maripat Donovan and Vicki Quade's Late Night Catechism opened at the McKnight Sept. 28, 1999,and has been extended to Feb. 27. It was to have closed Jan. 9, but crowds have made it as a hit. An Ordway open house will be held 11 AM-6 PM Feb. 6. Representatives from resident arts organizations will be on hand, and free performances, tours, displays and activities will be offered.
The Ordway is at 345 Washington Street, in St. Paul, MN. The Ordway is on the web at
Call (651) 282-3000 for information.
-- By Kenneth Jones
