It’s a jungle out there — at the Niswonger

Well, at least this Saturday it will be a jungle in the Niswonger Performing Arts Center in Van Wert.  Starting at 3 p.m. this Saturday, Jungle Jack Hanna of the Columbus Zoo and television fame will be showing creatures of the wild from our Central Insurance Stage.  The show is sold out, and has been for some time.  So, if anyone has tickets available they are not using, you may want to ask a friend if they know someone looking for one.  These tickets are as hot as a baboon in … ahem!  Well, you get my drift.

Although I have never seen one of Jack Hanna’s “Into the Wild — Live” shows, I do know that he will bring all kinds of animals we normally only see in cages, at a zoo, or if you are ever lucky enough, in some exotic land of their natural habitat.  It should be an amazing show… and quite fun and entertaining.

After this mess is all cleaned up, we have just two remaining shows: Voices of Unity on Saturday, April 26 and Broadway’s West Side Story on Sunday, May 11. Voices of Unity is the Gold-medal winning youth choir from Fort Wayne, Ind. The group has been working to put together an exciting performance to share with us at the Niswonger. I have seen portions of what they are performing and I guarantee you it will light up the stage. All tickets are just $20 and are on sale right now in the box office.

Then, in another two weeks, our biggest show of the season finishes off the year: Broadway’s West Side Story!  Perhaps one of the biggest Broadway musicals of the 20th century, West Side Story is a love story with attractive characters, tremendously exciting dancing, and live music that all will recognize and love. Songs like “Maria”, “America”, “One Hand, One Heart”, “Tonight”, “I Feel Pretty” and “Mambo” will absolutely have everyone mesmerized.

We offer two performances of this Mother’s Day extravaganza on May 11.  We wanted to make it as convenient as possible for you to celebrate Mother’s Day as you should and then make it even more special by taking her to a Broadway musical right here in Van Wert.  Both the 2 and 7:30 p.m. shows are selling neck and neck.  As of today, we have nearly 1,500 tickets sold and growing.

I hope you can make Mother’s Day extra special and join us for West Side Story.  Like always, we will make your visit to the Niswonger a very special event.  Mom will be pleased!

It won’t be long before we get back to the outdoor concerts in Fountain Park.  You will soon be seeing some action down at the park as young student workers from Vantage Career Center will be laying a concrete drive from Jefferson Street to the amphitheater stage, easing load-in for all our performers and production people.  Thank you Vantage, thank you Larry Mengerink, thank you students, and thank you Sue Heppeard and the City Parks & Recreation Department.

The Van Wert Community Concert Band will break in the summer with a concert on May 23 and then our season begins on June 6 during Peony/ArtRageous weekend as Papa Doo Run Run turns the park into a California beach party.

Stay tuned for more exciting news!

FINÉ.