Barn Theatre - WKTV Journal

By John D. Gonzalez

WKTV Contributing Writer

How’s the summer treating you?

I’ve been enjoying the National Cherry Festival in Traverse City with fireworks, concerts and cherries, of course.

If you still want to make the trip up north, the festival continues with many activities like the cherry pie eating contest, and the big Cherry Royale Parade at 11:15 a.m. Saturday. The remaining concerts feature 1964 The Tribute on Thursday (July 7), ZZ Top on Friday (July 8) and Boyz II Men on Saturday (July 9). Learn more at cherryfestival.org.

What are you doing this weekend?

If you’re staying close to home, here is my Top 5 of things to do, which you can find exclusively on WKTV Journal.

Here we go!

Gonzo’s Top 5

5. “Seven Brides For Seven Brothers,” Barn Theatre

Summer is a great time to take in a play. Whether it’s community theater or a Broadway touring musical, you can usually find something taking place in the region. One unique destination is the Barn Theatre School in Augusta, about 50 miles south and just east of Kalamazoo. In its 76th season, the school’s advanced theater training program promotes the concept that artists, performers, designers, technicians, stage managers, and everyone should have broadly based experiences through an apprentice program. And each summer they put on a variety of shows where the students produce every aspect of the experience. They are parking attendants, ushers and even the bartenders. Along with celebrity guest actors, the school has also featured future stars such as Jennifer Garner, Dana Delany, Lauren Graham and many more. My lovely wife Pam and I recently saw the first show of the season, “Seven Brides For Seven Brothers,” a musical based on the classic MGM 1954 film about settlers in 1850 Oregon. The show was great, but so was the whole experience of a show set in a barn. Get a pizza or drink before the show or stay after each performance for a special “Shed Bar Show” where the actors and guest actors come to entertain in the Rehearsal Bar. Advance reservations are encouraged for those productions. Performances of “Seven Brides For Seven Brothers” continue through Sunday (July 10). More details at barntheatreschool.org/events. Some of the other shows this season: “Cinderella,” “GroundHog Day,” “Rock of Ages,” “Young Frankenstein,” “Misery,” “Escanaba in da Moonlight” and “Doubt.”

4. LAUP Fiesta, Holland

Another great weekend destination is Holland for the annual LAUP Fiesta at the Holland Civic Center. It always features great food, car show, and Latino musical acts. There will be activities for children, a bar for adults and mercado (artisan market). It always ends with a big baile (dance). The party begins at noon. Check out the festival’s Facebook Event page for more information.

3. Food Truck Friday, Riverside Park

Have you been out to the popular “Food Truck Fridays” at Riverside Park this summer? Every week from 5-9 p.m. (through Sept. 2) you can expect anywhere from 12-17 food trucks. In its 6th season on the north side of Grand Rapids you can expect some of the area’s best-loved food trucks, as well as new ones, too. New this year is a Frequent Fridays Card that will offer you the chance to win prizes based on how many FTF you frequent. More details at https://www.facebook.com/GR8FoodTruckFridays/.

Wyoming’s Concerts in the Park return Tuesday, July 12. (WKTV)

2. Randy McAllister, Lamar Park

Blues and Soul artist Randy McAllister will headline the next Wyoming Concerts in the Park show, which takes place each week at 7 p.m. Tuesdays at Lamar Park in Wyoming. Admission is free. The remaining shows include folk artist Monty Pride (July 19), country singer Bernadette Kathryn (July 26) and 13-piece Latin soul band Grupo Latin (Aug. 2) More info: Wyoming Concerts in the Park Facebook page. Can’t make it to the show? You can still enjoy the bands by watching WKTV-Channel 25 for the weekly airings at 5 p.m. Wednesday and 11 a.m. and 10 p.m. Saturday. More info at wktv.org/concerts.

READ: Wyoming Concerts in the Park return this summer

1. Downtown Concerts

It’s another busy weekend in downtown Grand Rapids:

Death Cab for Cutie, the popular indie band from the early 2000s is back on the road and releasing a new album this fall. You can check them out Friday (July 8) at GLC Live at 20 Monroe Live in Grand Rapids. Ticket information at livenation.com.

The Doobie Brothers, the legendary band from the ‘70s and ‘80s, are on their 50th anniversary tour with Tom Johnston, Michael McDonald, Pat Simmons and John McFee on the road together for the first time in nearly 25 years. The band has sold nearly 50 million albums worldwide. The show is at 7:30 p.m.Sunday (July 10) at Van Andel Arena. Fans can expect to hear “Listen To The Music,” “Takin’ It To The Streets,” “Long Train Running,” “Black Water,” “What A Fool Believes,” “China Grove,” “Minute By Minute,” “It Keeps You Runnin’,” “Jesus Is Just Alright With Me” and many more. More details at vanandelarena.com.

That’s it for now.

As always, I welcome your input and recommendations for events to include in my Top 5 list. If you have something for me to consider, just send me an email at michigangonzo@gmail.com.

Have a great, safe weekend.

John D. Gonzalez is a digital journalist with 30-plus years of experience as a food, travel, craft beer and arts & entertainment reporter based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He also co-hosts the radio show and Podcast “Behind the Mitten,” which airs at 6 p.m. Sundays on WOOD-AM and FM. Follow him on his journey to discover what’s next. You can find him on Twitter as @MichiganGonzo, on Instagram @MichiganGonzo and Facebook at @GRGonzo. He also relaunched his YouTube Channel. Email him story ideas and tips at michigangonzo@gmail.com.

By Penelope Ragotzy, Barn Theatre

The Barn Theatre, Michigan’s oldest professional summer theatre, under the artistic leadership of Brendan Ragotzy, is thrilled to announce the 73rd season of plays and musicals to be presented at the landmark theatre.

The Barn Theatre School for Advanced Theatre Training, which continues to operate as a nonprofit entity, is excited to continue to provide southwest Michigan with professional, high- quality theatre while also expanding educational youth outreach and training programs. The very popular program, Backstage Xperience*, will be offered once again this season, as well as select ASL performances!

Barn Producer Brendan Ragotzy and wife Penelope Alex are excited to continue to offer nightly dinners this season and hope you’ll once again take advantage of the improved seating, ticket options, and online ticketing system.

The Box Office opens May 20, for online ticket sales, in-person sales and purchase via phone.

New this season:

Season ticket booklets will be available online as virtual tickets.
Renovations throughout the season, including new bathrooms near the Rehearsal Shed, Barn structure updates, the addition of a kitchen in the Rehearsal Shed and this fall, a full remodel of the Rehearsal Shed itself.

SPECIAL EVENT! Our Annual Gala: A Celebration in Song, June 1, 2019
Join us as we kick off the 73rd season with an unforgettable evening of music and memories! Barnies will take you behind the scenes in song and stories and give you a preview of the upcoming season. This special event is $50 per person. Reception and silent auction to follow the performance.

Disaster! — June 4-9 — ONE WEEK ONLY!
Back by Popular Demand! Earthquakes, tidal waves, infernos and the unforgettable songs of the ’70s take center stage in this side-splitting homage to classic disaster films. Rated PG-13.

Love, Lies and the Doctor’s Dilemma — June 11-16 — ONE WEEK ONLY!
One little white lie leads to another in this hilarious farce that comes complete with a former movie star, a mobster hit man, a walking-accident neighbor, and a gardener inexplicably masquerading as a psychiatrist Will everyone survive the mayhem?

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee — June 18-30
In this wildly funny, fast-paced musical, an eclectic group of mid-pubescents vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime while candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home lives. A riotous ride, complete with audience participation, this bee is a delightful den of comedic genius. Rated PG-13.

Sweeney Todd — Starring Robert Newman and Penelope Alex — July 2-14
The dark, witty and Tony Award-winning musical tale of love, murder and revenge set against the backdrop of 19th century London. Rated R.

Big the Musical — July 16-28
The classic 1987 motion picture fantasy bursts onto the stage in this unforgettable theatrical experience where a frustrated adolescent magically becomes an adult, discovering that life is not simply child’s play. Rated PG.

Steel Magnolias with Kim Zimmer, Lori Moore, Jennifer Furney — July 30-Aug. 11
Alternately hilarious and touching, this brilliant play exemplifies the female bond and illustrates the beauty of friendship when wading through life’s hardest times.

Mamma Mia — Aug. 13-25
Over sixty million people from around the globe have fallen in love with Mamma Mia! The story-telling magic of ABBA’s timeless hit songs propels this funny, enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship, creating the ultimate feel-good show! Rated PG-13.

Evil Dead: The Musical — Aug. 27-Sept. 1 — ONE WEEK ONLY!
Evil Dead The Musical takes all the elements of the cult classic films and combines them for one of the craziest, funniest theatrical experiences of all time. Blood flies. Limbs are dismembered. Demons tell bad jokes… and all to music. It’s a bloody comedy start to finish! Rated R.

The Barn is located on Highway M-96 between Augusta and Galesburg. Performance schedule: Tuesday through Saturday at 8pm and Sundays at 5pm.

Details are available online at barntheatreschool.org.