October 2018
The Mental Health Musicals
Once upon a time, familiar fairy tales were re-imagined to raise awareness about children’s mental health. With great music and gentle humor, this hour-long musical is fun for the whole family.
Performances include:
The Three Billy Goats Gruff (AD/HD)
Little Miss Muffet (meltdowns)
Pinocchio (lying)
DOORS OPEN AT 6:30 p.m. The show is free; seating is limited to the first 200 guests.
Purchase TicketsNovember 2018
‘Great Orchestral Dances’ will be the first performance of the Itasca Symphony Orchestra’s 2018-2019 season.
Some of the most memorable and endearing songs from the classical repertoire are either inspired by or written for the dance. In a collaborative effort with the educational Itasca Strings Program, advanced string students will join the Itasca Orchestra in Peter Warlock’s “Capriol Suite”.
The program also includes Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Dance of the Tumblers” from “The Snow Maiden”, Ralph Vaughn William’s “English Folk Song Suite and Johannes Brahms “Hungarian Dances No 4”.
These dances are particularly fun for listeners who sometimes find orchestral music challenging to engage with – they’re lively, lyrical and will leave you with a classical ‘earworm’ you’ll be humming for weeks!
January 2019
ONLINE SALES HAVE ENDED FOR THIS SHOW.
PLENTY OF TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR PRIOR TO EACH PERFORMANCE.
The Grand Rapids Players Pop-Up Production of “The Odd Couple” will entertain you the weekend of January 11. Directed by Aaron Peterson, Josh Cagle, and David Martin. ”The Odd Couple” is a classic story of a neat freak kicked out by his wife and forced to live with his long time friend, a complete slob. They fight, you laugh, they cry, you laugh, they laugh, you laugh. The story has been slightly updated to the early 2000’s. Produced with permission from Samuel French. Shows Friday and Saturday, at 7:30, with a Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2. Tickets are $10.00, general admission, and are available at reifcenter.org.
With vibrant harmonies set to Brazilian rhythms and a joyous stage show, ORDINARIUS has breathed new life into Brazil’s most beloved songs, from traditional “choros” to the music of Carmen Miranda.
Save 10% on this show when you bundle it with two more. Your Series lets you create your own package. Purchases tickets for THREE or more unique Reif shows at a time and save 10 percent on each ticket by using the code YOURSERIES at check out.
February 2019
**Online sales have ended for this event. Tickets are available at the door.**
We’ll warm up one February night with hot Latin music. The featured soloist for this concert is talented trumpeter Mr. Earl Salemink. Salemink will perform the solo in Johnny Cowell’s Virgin de la Macarena. The ISO trumpet section and Salemink will also be featured in Leroy Anderson’s Bugler’s Holiday. The orchestra will also perform Leroy Anderson’s Blue Tango, Arturo Marquez’s Danzón Number 2, Jose Pablo Moncayo’s Huapango and Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s Cappriccio Espangnole.
Earl Salemink has served as the principal trumpet for the DSSO since 1989 and has performed solos throughout the Midwest over the span of his career. Salemink teaches trumpet at the University of Wisconsin, Superior.
March 2019
Mamma Mia! Presented by Grand Rapids Players
“Mamma Mia!” tells the story of Sophia Sheridan, a 20-year-old who lives with her mother on an idyllic Greek island. She is about to be married and wishes for only one thing: That her dad could walk her down the aisle. The only problem is that she doesn’t know who her dad is! And her mother, the former lead singer of the 1970s pop group Donna and the Dynamos, refuses to talk about it.
Left with no other options, Sophie decides to take matters into her own hands. Sneaking a peek in her mother’s old diaries, she discovers three possibilities: Sam, Bill and Harry; an American architect, an Australian adventurer, and a British banker. She secretly invites all three to the wedding, convinced that she will know him as soon as she sees him.
The gentlemen arrive and Sophia soon realizes that she hasn’t a clue. Told through the 1970s legendary music of ABBA, “Mamma Mia!” has become a worldwide sensation that has audiences everywhere dancing in the aisles. Watching “Mamma Mia!,” audiences will be completely engaged by the songs, dance, music, laughter, tears and the story that takes us through life’s good friendships and struggles even relevant today.
The Grand Rapids Players are especially excited to be collaborating with the Itasca Community Chorus, directed by Sam Evans, who will provide the vocal accompaniment and will be included on stage in at least two of the dance numbers.
This production is produced with permission from MTI, Music Theatre International, NY, N.Y.. “Mamma Mia!” is underwritten by Dr. Lee and Mary Jo Jess and Woodland Bank-Brian and Jeanne Nicklason along with support from the Blandin Foundation.
Please be aware this play has adult themes, not recommended for youth. Recommended rating is PG13.
Mamma Mia! will be showing Live@TheReif for six performances:
Friday, March 15 @ 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 16 @ 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 17 @ 2 p.m.
Friday, March 22 @ 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 23 @ 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 24 @ 2 p.m.