January 21 – February 19, 2012
1968:
The Year That Rocked the World

Evening and Weekend performances are
S O L D O U T
Starting on Tuesday 14, History Theatre will have up to 8 seats available in the back of the theater.
Patrons may sign up for these tickets beginning one hour before the performance, and must be present at the History Center to get them. Cash Only.
Please call the History Theatre Box Office for more information: 651.292.4323

1968 A year of extremes. Of war and love. Of brave beginnings and tragic endings. Of political and social upheaval. Of hatred and hope.

History Theatre and members of the Playwrights’ Center bring some of the most explosive events and personalities of 1968 on to the stage for seven distinct perspectives on the year that rocked the world. The war in Vietnam, the assassinations of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Senator Robert Kennedy, the Mexico Olympics, Lyndon B. Johnson and Hubert H. Humphrey, the election of Richard Nixon, and even the Apollo 8 mission broadcast on Christmas Eve. These events are surrounded by the unforgettable music of the era and pop culture that entertained and reflected on a world in chaos.

WARNING: This production contains strong language and mature themes

Presented at the Minnesota History Center

History Theatre's OFF-SITE Box Office Phone Number: 612.850.7783
This phone will be answered 1 hour before performances and 15 minutes after the start of performances.
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A NOTE ABOUT PARKING

The parking lot at the History Center is also open to people who are attending Wild games (or any events at the Excel Center).

On those occasions, patrons who are parking for a show or event at the History Center will only be charged $5 to park. People who are attending a game/event at the Excel Center will be charged $10.
The parking lot attendant will ask guests what they’re there for. History Theatre and History Center patrons and guests just need tell the attendant that they are attending the show at the History Center and they should be charged $5.

The History Center’s lot never gets very many Wild fans, so there should still be enough parking available for History Theatre and History Center patrons. However, it is advisable to arrive a little early on the following dates, just to be on the safe side:

  • Sat, Jan. 21, 2012 (Stars v. Wild at 8p)
  • Tues, Jan. 31, 2012 (Predators v. Wild at 7p)
  • Sat, Feb. 11, 2012 (Blue Jackets v. Wild at 7p)
  • Tues, Feb. 14, 2012 (Ducks v. Wild at 6:30p)
  • Sun, Feb. 19, 2012 (Bruins v. Wild at 2p)

Ticket prices

  Adult Senior Student
Tier 1 $38 $36 $15
Tier 2 $34 $32

Performance calendar

Thursday, January 19 8:00 pm Preview
Friday, January 20 10:30 am
Saturday, January 21 8:00 pm
Sunday, January 22 2:00 pm
Tuesday, January 24 10:30 am
Tuesday, January 24 8:00 pm
Wednesday, January 25 10:30 am
Thursday, January 26 10:30 am
Friday, January 27 8:00 pm
Saturday, January 28 8:00 pm
Sunday, January 29 2:00 pm
Tuesday, January 31 10:30 am
Tuesday, January 31 8:00 pm
Wednesday, February 1 10:30 am
Thursday, February 2 10:30 am
Saturday, February 4 2:00 pm
Saturday, February 4 8:00 pm
Sunday, February 5 2:00 pm
Tuesday, February 7 10:30 am
Tuesday, February 7 8:00 pm
Wednesday, February 8 10:30 am
Thursday, February 9 10:30 am
Friday, February 10 8:00 pm
Saturday, February 11 2:00 pm
Saturday, February 11 8:00 pm
Sunday, February 12 2:00 pm
Tuesday, February 14 10:30 am
Tuesday, February 14 8:00 pm
Thursday, February 16 10:30 am
Friday, February 17 10:30 am
Friday, February 17 8:00 pm
Saturday, February 18 8:00 pm
Sunday, February 19 2:00 pm

Events and Happenings

Afterthoughts

Sunday, January 22 / 4:00 pm

A free post-show discussion featuring the cast of 1968: The Year That Rocked the World.

Afterthoughts

Sunday, January 29 / 4:00 pm

A free post-show discussion with three of the playwrights: Dominic Orlando (John Mitchell's Private Moment), Christina Ham (Go Up Together), and Rhiana Yazzie (The Corral).

Afterthoughts

Sunday, February 5 / 4:00 pm

A free post-show discussion with special guests Jerry Miron (a Veteran of the Vietnam War, and the subject of Welcome Home) and playwright Reginald Edmund (Welcome Home)

Afterthoughts

Sunday, February 12 / 4:00 pm

A free post-show discussion with special guest Vice President Walter Mondale, to discuss topics from 1968: The Year That Rocked the World and his memories of the infamous year.

See video

Cast

Moon / Ensemble
Richard M. Nixon / Ensemble
Nurse / Ensemble
Jerry Miron / Robert Reisman / Policeman / Ensemble
Diane / Lisa / Sheila Reisman / Ensemble
Gus / Guard / Ensemble
Robert Kennedy / Policeman / Garret Reisman / Ensemble
Soldier / John Mitchell / Ensemble
Charlie / Ron / Ensemble
Bryan / Edgar / Ensemble
Rosemary / Simone Francis / Ensemble
Assistant Music Director / Keyboard / Vocals
Drummer
Woodwinds / Vocal
Bass Guitar
Guitar / Vocal

Creative team

Reginald Edmund: Playwright
Christina Ham: Playwright
Kim Hines: Playwright
Kevin Kautzman: Playwright
Dominic Orlando: Playwright
Mat Smart: Playwright
Rhiana Yazzie: Playwright
Ron Peluso: Director
Gary Rue: Music Arranger & Director
Michael Kinghorn: Dramaturg
Justin Hooper: Scenic Designer
Michael Wangen: Lighting Designer
Kathy Kohl: Costume Designer
C. Andrew Mayer: Sound and Video Designer
Abbee Warmboe: Properties Designer
Gunther Gullickson: Technical Director
Janet Hall: Stage Manager

In the press

1968 Comes Alive at the History Theatre

By Tamar Neumann, Community Reporter
February 1, 2012
Download the full review (PDF)

It playfully and seriously looks at this tumultuous year that has shaped our nation and created unmistakable images and phrases. The writers, all veterans of the Playwrights’ Center in Minneapolis, have taken the dramatic experiences of 1968 and created plays that resonate with modern day affairs.

History Theatre's '1968' captures that monumental year

By Renee Valois, Pioneer Press
January 22, 2012
Read the full review
Download the full review (PDF)

History Theatre's Ron Peluso decided to tap not one but seven writers in "1968: The Year That Rocked the World."

Each creates an emotionally resonant miniplay that illuminates one key facet of the power-packed year, with the disparate pieces stitched together by snippets of music, quotes from popular TV shows and news stories of the day. It's a compelling crazy-quilt of facts, memories and ideas that presents plenty of food for thought…

"1968" is an idea-packed review of an amazing year that's well worth revisiting 44 years later - and it's bound to spark some spirited discussions afterward.

Playlets from a watershed year

By Graydon Royce, Star Tribune
January 23, 2012
Read the full review
Download the full review (PDF)

"in the final breaths, as was the case in 1968, a message of hope carries a measure of redemption."

1968 by the History Theatre at the History Center of Minnesota

By Janet Preus, HowWasTheShow.com
January 24, 2012
Read the full review
Download the full review (PDF)

Recommended. Baby Boomers, bring your children and older grandchildren and you could set up a great conversation with them about your own experiences in this era.

History Lives | The Vietnam War, Civil Rights riots, and rock 'n' roll all play a part in 1968: The Year that Rocked the World

By Ellen Burkhardt, Minnesota Monthly
January 25, 2012
Read the full review
Download the full review (PDF)

"For as ambitious a project as it is, 1968 covers its namesake year well… this is a worthwhile and entertaining history lesson—one that’s worth attending."

Accessible performances

ASL interpreted

  • Sunday, January 29 / 2:00 pm

Audio described

  • Sunday, January 29 / 2:00 pm

This project is supported in part by an award from

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