Local children to shine on NPAC stage

With Thanksgiving Day quickly approaching and the first significant snow fall, we turn our attention to the Christmas season.  Christmastime is always extra special at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center and this year will be no exception.  We have five different concerts during the Holiday Season and six actual performances when you figure in two Nutcracker productions.

Kids and Christmas are made for each other and we are about to create some special memories for some local kids and their parents and grandparents.  The Ballet Theatre of Toledo will be moving into Van Wert in the near future for two performances of the beloved Nutcracker ballet on December 6.  We like working with this outstanding organization because they give us the opportunity to involve local children in the performance. Auditions were held awhile back and there will be numerous local dancers filling the stage. You may not recognize them under their mice costumes, etc., but it will be a neat experience for these youngsters.  Some will even get to show off their dancing skills.  Additionally, our Van Wert Area Boychoir will be part of the performance, as well as sing for you in the lobbies before the performances.

As I said, we have scheduled two performances; one at 2 p.m. and the other at 7:30 p.m.  We already have 1,300 seats filled, so in essence we are starting to fill our second show.  Tickets can be purchased at the box office at 419.238.NPAC (6722) or online at www.npacvw.org.  This is a holiday tradition you won’t want to miss!

Then on December 12, Country, TV, movie and Pop Music star Kenny Rogers brings his “Christmas & Hits through the Years” to our stage. Five local children were selected to perform with Kenny and his guest, Linda Davis. They were selected from 26 who auditioned, including many who were worthy; however, only five could be selected. You will recognize the kids even though they will be dressed in their finest Christmas outfits. What an experience for these kids to perform on stage with a legend like Kenny Rogers!

Other Christmas concerts coming to the Niswonger this season are “A Peter White Christmas” with Rick Braun and Mindi Abair on December 9. If you like a jazzy Christmas, this one is for you!  One that has a lot of people talking is the “Holiday Ice Spectacular” coming to our stage on December 15.  It’s almost sold out, so don’t delay your ticket buying if you want to see how we turn the Central Insurance Stage into an ice rink with world-class skaters, entertainment, comedy and music.  We close the Christmas season on December 19 with what I am told is an absolutely beautiful Christmas concert featuring Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr.  This married couple has made its mark on the music world on its own, as well as part of the famous Fifth Dimension. They even had their own TV show at one time.

As I said, Christmas is always special at the Niswonger. We will have the halls decked with beautiful new decorations and you can expect some pre-concert lobby music to help put you in the Christmas spirit.  You just never know what you might experience at a Niswonger performance, especially at the Holiday Season!  Some might even find their very own kid on stage!

FINÉ.