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