2016 Tulip Festival Night Show Announced

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The Tulip Festival Steering Committee has announced the annual Night Show musical production for May 18-21, 2016, as “West Side Story.”

WSS logo CMYK (vertical)A musical adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” the story takes place in the streets of New York City, where two young people fall in love and face challenging social conditions beyond their control. The musical features well-known songs including “Tonight,” “Somewhere,” and “I Feel Pretty.”

“’West Side Story’ brings much raw emotion to the stage,” says Todd Vande Griend, 2016 Night Show director.

“The show is full of excitement to the end – and in the end, we find that love wins.”

Vande Griend is joined in the leadership of the 2016 Night Show by Tom Hydeen, music director; Becky Donahue, choreographer; and Victoria Karssen, producer.

The musical was performed previously during Tulip Festival in 1994, and Vande Griend looks forward to bringing it back to the Night Show stage. “It’s a show of great magnitude that brings a challenge to the actors and directors,” he says.

The cast of “West Side Story” will consist of 35 to 40 people. Auditions for the Night Show will take place on Jan. 12 and 14, 2016, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. and on Jan. 16, 2016, from 9 a.m. to noon. All auditions will take place at the Orange City Town Hall. Those wishing to try out do not need to prepare any material prior to the auditions.

Tickets for the Night Show are on sale for $20 each the Orange City Tulip Festival office.

“West Side Story”  is based on a conception of Jerome Robbins. Book by Arthur Laurents. Music by Leonard Bernstein. Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Entire original production directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins. Originally produced on Broadway by Robert E. Griffith and Harold S. Prince by arrangement with Roger L. Stevens.

“West Side Story” is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. 421 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019. Phone: 212-541-4684. Fax: 212-397-4684. www. MTIShows.com

2016 Orange City Tulip Queen Crowned

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The 2016 Tulip Court (L-R): Kaylee Puttmann, Maddie Christy, Queen Ava Grossmann, Grace De Haan and Kelsey Lang

Ava Grossmann was crowned the 2016 Tulip Festival Queen on Monday, Nov. 16. Grossmann will reign over the 76th annual Tulip Festival, set for May 19, 20 and 21, 2016.

A senior at Unity Christian High School in Orange City, Grossmann is the daughter of Jonathan and Glenda Grossmann.

Grossmann is joined on the 2016 Tulip Court by court members Maddie Christy, daughter of Greg and Michelle Christy; Grace De Haan, daughter of Brent and Patti De Haan; Kelsey Lang, daughter of Chris and Sherry Lang; and Kaylee Puttmann, daughter of Shannon and Kristen Puttmann.

Grossmann and her court members spent Monday afternoon interviewing with judges Madison Mayberry Hofmeyer, Richard Buman and Juliana Else.

A pageant was held for the public in the evening. Each of the candidates answered questions on various topics and gave an individual presentation. Grossmann was crowned queen as a conclusion to the evening.

Grossmann and her court will serve as ambassadors for the Orange City Tulip Festival as they travel in the spring, making several media and public appearances