"War Horse," the winner of a "Best Play" Tony Award, along with four other Tony's in 2011, comes to the Orpheum Theatre June 12-23. Like nearly all tickets at Hennepin Theatre Trust, discounts are rare. Theater goers used to being spoiled by rush seats at the Guthrie or the Jungle haven't enjoyed the same cheap seats at Hennepin Theatre Trust.

With one exception: student rush.

Starting Monday, June 3, students or educators with a valid student ID can get tickets for any performance for $25, regularly $39 to $129 plus fees. There's no standing in line for an hour or two before the show. Just come to the State Box Office for tickets to any War Horse performance or to the Orpheum Box Office the night of the show.

Why doesn't Hennepin Trust offer discounted rush tickets to everyone for all shows? "It depends on the tour, the number of tickets available, the show and the size of the venue," said HTT's communications director Karen Nelson.

Some shows that nearly sell out such as "The Book of Mormon" don't even have a student rush. "Lion King" had a student rush but only one ticket per ID could be purchased. "War Horse" allows students and educators to get two tickets per ID. (FYI, any student who has a current student ID is eligible for the discount, including elementary, junior high or senior high, but the student must be present w/ith ID to get the two tickets.)

According to the press release, the play is "based on English author Michael Morpurgo's novel. The book was also inspired Steven Spielberg's feature film of the same name, which earned six Oscar nominations including Best Picture. In a tale the New York Daily News calls 'spellbinding, by turns epic and intimate,' Joey is caught in enemy crossfire and ends up serving both sides of the war before landing in no man's land. Albert, not old enough to enlist, embarks on a treacherous mission to find his horse and bring him home.

At the heart of the show are life-sized puppets designed by the Handspring Puppet Company, which bring breathing, galloping, charging horses and other animals to thrilling life on stage. Minnesota native Rob Laqui is one of the Joey puppeteers. The tour of War Horse, which was adapted from the book by Morpurgo by Nick Stafford, is directed by Bijan Sheibani based on the original Tony Award-winning direction by Marianne Elliott and Tom Morris.

The show, although based on a children's book, includes scenes depicting war violence and is recommended for ages 10 and older. All patrons must have a ticket regardless of age.