Loved “La La Land?” Thought the music in “Greatest Showman” was pretty cool? Then you might want to check out the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre’s upcoming production of “James and the Giant Peach,” which features the music of Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, the musical duo behind the music of both “La La Land” and “The Greatest Showman.”
The Civic production opening April 26 and runs through May 5 with a special low sensory night performance set for May 1. The book is written by Timothy Allen McDonald who with Leslie Bricusse successfully developed “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” into a musical which is part of the Broadway Grand Rapids’ 2019-2020 season.
A Roald Dahl tale, “James and the Giant Peach” follows young orphan James who is forced to live with his wicked Aunt Spiker an dAunt Sponge. His new life of slavery takes a hopeful turn, however, in the form of an oversized peach, courtesy of mysterious spellbook.
https://youtu.be/PYkR5uWT1eY
The 2015 professional cast performing “Everywhere That You Are” from “James and the Giant Peach.”
“This production is filled with bright, full and catchy music,” said guest director Jolene Frankey. “The talented art includes actors of all ages from 10 to adults, and they sound amazing. It really is magical fun for the whole family.”
Tickets $12 – $20. For tickets, call 616-222-6650 or visit www.GRCT.org.
Everyone has his/her favorite candy, but have you ever heard of how good the scrumdidlyiscious candy bar is? You will if you come to the upcoming production of “Willy Wonka” the Musical at the Van Singel Fine Arts Center on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 and 2.
The musical is a fun-filled burst of kids, candy, and song, but it’s also a major milestone for the Van Singel Fine Arts Center and the Master Arts Theatre company. The two organizations came together to combine the skilled direction of Master Arts Theatre with the magnificent stage of the Van Singel. Both groups were excited about the partnership, and look forward to other possibilities.
“This one is unique and not because we don’t have community theatre, because we have several which is cool,” said Chris Knoblock who portrays Willy Wonka in the holiday offering. “This is a special conglomeration when you take two different organizations and they blend their strengths. You’ve got Master Arts Theatre bringing us the script and the direction and then you’ve got Van Singel bringing us everything they have to offer with the Dan Pfieffer stage and all of the set pieces and all of their expertise.
“It is going to be really, really cool and anyone who comes is going to enjoy it.”
When choosing their holiday production, the directors wanted something family friendly and community oriented. They wanted families from the community to be able to come to the shows with their children in tow and walk out with everyone singing the same cheerful songs.
“[When selecting the show, we wanted] something that was going to be appropriate for the season with the holidays coming up and one that was really going to strike a cord that families could enjoy and come and see together,” Master Arts Executive Director Timothy Van Bruggen.
The musical is based on the beloved children’s book by Roald Dahl, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” which has had two films, a 1971 version with Gene Wilder as Wonka and the 2005 version with Johnny Depp as Wonka. (Note, Knoblock said he is channeling his inner Gene Wilder for the upcoming production.) The story follows a very poor boy, named Charlie, who is one of five lucky children to find a golden ticket giving him a once-in-a-lifetime chance to tour the elusive Wonka factory and receive the ultimate reward: lifetime supply of chocolate…or is it?
Nate Knoblock, who plays Phineas Trout, and brother Chris, who plays Willy Wonka.
“Willy Wonka the Musical” was also chosen because of the special way it involves kids, according to the show’s director Cathy VanLopik, adding it gives adult actors a chance to work with and mentor the next generation. In fact, Knoblock said it was his daughter, Kylee, who wanted to try out for a musical with her dad that brought Knoblock to Van Singel for the July auditions.
“My own father tried out with me for a musical when that wasn’t even his thing and we got to be in a musical together when I was a kid and I thought what fun to do it with my own daughter,” said Knoblock who actually got an extra treat with brother Nate being casted as reporter Phineas Trout.
More than 100 people tried out for parts in the production with residents from a number of areas, including Wyoming and Kentwood, being cast. Being this is a first-time venture, Van Singel Fine Arts Center Managing Director Sara Pass said they were pleasantly surprised at the turnout along with how well tickets have been selling at the box office.
“We figured we could not go wrong with anything that involves kids, candy, and song especially too because Willy Wonka is so timeless,” Pass said.
Showtimes for “Willy Wonka the Musical” is 7:30 p.m. Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 and 2 and 2 p.m Dec. 2 at the Van Singel Fine Arts Center, 8500 Burlingame Ave. SW. The Van Singel is adjacent to the Byron Center High School at the corner of 84th Street and Burlingame Avenue. Tickets are $22 for the prime seating (which is selling fast for all shows) $19 for all others, $17 for students and seniors and $8.50 for children 10 and under. For more information call 616-878-6800 noon- 5 pm. Monday-Friday or visit www.vsfac.com.
