Don't Hug Me embraces St. Cloud, MN, on August 14 & 15

SAINT CLOUD, Minn. - July 31, 2014 - PRLog -- Originally from Los Angeles, the Award-Winning, Smash Hit Musical Comedy, DON'T HUG ME, is coming to the Paramount Theatre on August 14 & 15 for three performances.

*WINNER* of 15 Awards including: BEST MUSICAL
Los Angeles Artistic Director Achievement Awards

Show info:

Don’t Hug Me
a Minnesota love story with singin’ and stuff

It’s “Fargo” meets “The Music Man”
(without the blood or the trombones)

Don't Hug Me takes place in Bunyan Bay, Minnesota. It’s the coldest day of the year and cantankerous bar owner Gunner Johnson wants to sell the business and move to sunny Florida. Clara, his wife and former Winter Carnival Bunyan Queen, wants to stay. Bernice Lundstrom, the pretty waitress, wants to pursue a singing career. Her fiance, Kanute Gunderson, wants her to stay home. It’s a battle of wills that tests their relationships and when a fast-talking salesman, Aarvid Gisselsen, promises to solve their problems and bring romance into their lives through the ‘magic’ of karaoke, all heck breaks loose!

Featuring 16 original songs, including:
- I’m a Walleye Woman in a Crappie Town
- My Smorgasbord of Love
- I Wanna go to the Mall of America
- The Bunyan Yodel
- He Wore a Purple Tux
- Upside Down in my Pickup Truck

WHAT THE CRITICS SAY:
“Terrifically Silly!” - LA WEEKLY
“A hokey-jokey karaoke crowd pleaser!” - Los Angeles Times
“A quirky, charming musical! - Joel Zwick, Director of My Big Fat Greek Wedding
“A lot of laughs! A great time! Go see it!” – Tom Barnard KQRS
“Outstanding!” - American Eagle News
“The funniest show I’ve seen in the longest time!” – KPFK Radio
“A loopy Valentine!” – Back Stage West
“The quintessential definition of fun!” - KLBB Radio
“Delightful! Adorable! Silly! Funny!” - Valley Vantage

The original DON’T HUG ME first opened in Los Angeles in November 2003 to rave reviews and sold-out houses. Since then, four other Don't Hug Me musicals have been written including A Don't Hug Me Christmas Carol, A Don't Hug Me County Fair, Don't Hug Me, I'm Pregnant andDon't Hug Me, We're Married, which will open in Los Angeles this October. It all started with the original Don't Hug Me.

Phil Olson, playwright and Minnesota native, has written 13 published plays that have had over 300 productions around the U.S., Canada and Australia. Phil grew up in Minneapolis and now lives in Los Angeles where he develops and workshops his Minnesota musicals. Phil has also sold two screenplays and script doctored (re-wrote) three other screenplays that were produced.

Paul Olson, M.D., Phil's brother, is the music composer. Paul graduated from the University of Minnesota Medical School and is now Chief of Nephrology at the Allina Medical Clinics in Shakopee, as well as the Chairman of the National Kidney Foundation, Minnesota affiliate..

Book & Lyrics by Phil Olson
Music by Paul Olson
Featuring: Doug Anderson, Megan Kelly Hubbell, Michael Lee, Emily Moore, Ross Young

The Theatre Venue is:
Paramount Theatre
913 West St. Germain Street
St. Cloud, MN 56301

Performance Dates and Times:
August 14 & 15, 2014
Thur. Aug 14 @ 1:30pm and 7:30pm
Fri Aug 15 @ 7:30pm

Ticket Price: $19

Reservations: (320) 259-5463
Group Rates Available!
Order online at paramountarts.org

For more info, visit DontHugMe.com or PhilOlson.com