2016-2017 season - WKTV Journal

Van Singel Fine Arts Center, at 84th and Burlingame SW in Byron Center, has an impressive line-up of performances for its 2016-2017 season. For more information or buy tickets, go to the website at vsfac.com. Reserve your seats now: 616.878.6800.

the_hit_men_for_homepagerevised — The Hit Men

Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016, at 7 pm: The Hit Men Time Travel Tour

Experience a fun evening of classic rock ‘n roll featuring legendary musicians who performed with Frankie Valli, Carole King, Jim Croce, Carly Simon, Cat Stevens and more.

Saturday, Dec. 17, 2016, at 2 pm and 7 pm: Miracle on 34th Street

Celebrate the Christmas season with this time-honored crowd-pleaser — a fun, family musical based on a favorite holiday tale made famous by the 1947 movie of the same name.

Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017, at 7:30 pm: Pump Boys and Dinettes

Get ready for some high-octane fun with an evening of country western songs that received unanimous raves on- and off-Broadway. With heartbreak and hilarity, the group performs on guitars, piano, bass and kitchen utensils.

Thursday, March 2, 2017, at 7:30 pm: The Freddy Cole Quartet

It’s an unforgettable evening when Freddy Cole (piano/vocals), Elias Bailey (Bass), Quentin Baxter (Drums), and Randy Napoleon (Guitar) continues the legacy of Nat “King” Cole and niece, Natalie, with musical memories that will always be remembered. Now in his 55th year of performing, this great singer and pianist has developed a huge following of his own. The instantly recognizable Cole voice and his veteran quartet play the classics as well as new compositions and interpretations from a huge repertoire for one performance only.

Thursday, March 16, 2017, at 7:30 pm: One-Man Star Wars Trilogy

May the farce be with you… From the producer that brought you Potted Potter comes the only Star Wars parody permitted by Lucasfilm Ltd. Come see Star Wars fanatic, Charles Ross, single-handedly condense the plots from the films into one hilarious show.

Friday, April 28 at 7:30 pm: Cool Jazz

It’s a hot night of cool jazz featuring the nationally recognized Byron Center Jazz Ensembles performing alongside international jazz musicians.

Thursday, May 18, 2017, at 7:30 pm: Mallory Skilling: Back Home Again

The Van Singel Fine Arts Foundation presents homegrown singer/songwriter, Mallory Skilling in a benefit concert Thursday, May 18 at 7:30 pm. Mallory attended Byron Center Public Schools as a young girl and is a graduate of Cornerstone University. She is currently living in Nashville where she is pursuing her musical career. malloryskilling.com.

To reserve your seats call the Van Singel Fine Arts Center box office at 616.878.6800 or download the ticket order form and fax it to 616.878.6820.

Or you can mail the form to: Van Singel Fine Arts Center, 8500 Burlingame SW, Byron Center, MI 49315

Season Subscriber Ticket Discounts:
Purchase 3 shows – receive a 5% discount
Purchase 4-5 shows – receive a 10% discount
Purchase 6 shows – receive a 15% discount

Group Ticket Discounts:
Purchase 10-19 seats – receive a 5% discount
Purchase 20-49 seats – receive a 10% discount
Purchase 50+ seats – receive a 15% discount

Broadway Grand Rapids announced its new season with a four-show slate sure to pique the curiosity of every generation.

“A majority of the shows we bring in are musicals and we’re always looking to bring in something different, something new to Grand Rapids. It’s a combination of new and traditional to reach a multi-generational audience,” said Meghan Distel, Director of Marketing for Broadway Grand Rapids.

The planning required to create a new season at Broadway Grand Rapids is quite extensive. Booking a show requires finding shows that will play well with the Grand Rapids audience, planning and scheduling around open dates at the DeVos Performance Hall, and also finding dates that work with the shows themselves and their tour locations. It’s a process that can take over a year, but it’s all worth it.

It’s also important to bring in variety. “They’re all very different. Cinderella and the Sound of Music are classics. Motown should bring in a new crowd because it’s new and features over 40 classic hits,” said Distel.

What exactly does the new season look like? Take a look:

•   Cinderella (September 27 – October 2, 2016)
•   The Sound of Music (February 21-26. 2017)
•   Motown the Musical (May 2 – 7, 2017)
•   Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story on Stage (June 6 – 11, 2017)

The season kicks off with Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella, an updated version of the classic family favorite with new twists and musical numbers.

Last year marked the 50th anniversary of the beloved film The Sound of Music, which starred Julia Andrews. A stage adaption is coming to Grand Rapids directed by three-time Tony Award winner Jack O’Brien.

Motown the Musical features more than 40 classic hits and tells the story behind the hits as Diana, Smokey, Berry and the whole Motown family fight against the odds to create the soundtrack of change in America. The Michigan roots make it a great show to bring to Grand Rapids.

The season finishes off with an unprecedented live experience of Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story on Stage. Based off the 1987 iconic film, this performance is full of heart-pounding music, passionate romance, and sensational dancing.

On top of the four featured shows, Broadway Grand Rapids will premier two special event performances. These performances are scheduled to a limited number of shows.

• A Christmas Story The Musical (December 27 – 30, 2016)
• Rent 20th Anniversary Tour (March 14 – 16, 2017)

While the 2016-2017 season is currently generating buzz, Broadway Grand Rapids has already reeled in a big fish for the fall of the 2017-2018 season and it’s something quite Wicked. That’s right, Wicked the Musical will be coming to the DeVos Performance Hall.

To purchase tickets for the upcoming season, visit broadwaygrandrapids.com.