Mary Poppins is one of the most iconic characters in children’s literature, having been lifted into fame by the sturdy umbrella of P.L. Travers’ 1934 novel and, thirty years later, by the Disney movie.

“The show must go on,” the saying goes, and despite nearly three years navigating the twists and turns of an unpredictable, disruptive pandemic, Southwest Michigan’s dedicated local theatre professionals have proven it to be true. 

The legendary American pop and jazz singer Tony Bennett’s shimmering career has spanned 8 decades, producing 61 studio albums, 11 live albums, 33 compilation albums, and 83 singles; selling more than 50 million records worldwide; and winning 20 Grammy Awards as well as the love and admiration of legions of fellow artists, friends, and fans.

During a curtain speech before the revelation of her premiere “The Center Of . . . “, Founder and Artistic Director of Wellspring/Cori Terry & Dancers Cori Terry said when faced with choreographing a new piece for the first time in two and a half years for her entire company in their 42nd season she struggled with the question “How do I continue making beautiful dances when there’s so much ugliness in the world?”

Though every worthwhile story must contain tension if not conflict and a resolution, perhaps the best stories also speak to what’s best in us—the love humanity is capable of, for example.

Opening its featured gallery doors to the public in early October, the Grand Rapids Art Museum is proud to display The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited, as shared by the Museum of the Moving Image (MoMI) in New York City.

Grand Rapids Ballet has shown time and time again their versatility as a skillful company rooted in classical ballet that is ever willing to branch out and push the boundaries of ballet. 

Released in 1982, the film Tootsie has crossed the border into middle age. If you’re lucky, middle age can be the best of times: a time when, having managed to gain some wisdom, you’ve learned what you want and are no longer concerned with what you don’t. If you’re unlucky, the wheels can fall off.

Since 1988, Broadway Grand Rapids has brought to town touring productions of the biggest, most impactful shows, from stunning new productions of classics like The King And I to shows as fresh as Hamilton; each season, a wealth of artistry and entertainment is lavished onstage.

Often described as the “Off-Broadway of Grand Rapids,” local drama group Actors’ Theatre has been a fixture of the city’s community theater scene for 40 years now.