For nearly 75 years, the Night Show proves the Tulip Fest is more than just flowers and wooden shoes

Jack, get back, come on before we crack! Because everybody is ready to cut footloose during Orange City's 83rd Tulip Festival.

The stage musical version of the iconic 1984 movie "Footloose" will be this year's Night Show production, taking place this week at the Orange City Town Hall.

Handling directing duties for the show will be Drew Lemke, who is the band teacher for the MOC-Floyd Valley Middle School, and his wife Amanda Lemke, who is the middle school's choir director.

"Footloose" is the Lemkes' second time as Night Show directors or, maybe, it counts as the couple's third attempt.

"We were well underway with 2020's production of 'Cinderella' when COVID closed us down," Drew Lemke explained. "The Night Show was canceled because of the pandemic, but Amanda and I gave 'Cinderella' another go in 2021."

The Lemkes are actually Night Show veterans.

"This will be Amanda's 11th Night Show and my ninth one," Lemke noted. "I've been an actor, a band member and, now, a co-director. It is actually something I look forward to all year-round." 

The Tulip Festival is big business for Orange City. With the bulk of activities taking place between May 15-18, downtown streets will be teeming with tulips, wooden shoes and as many as 100,000 people in the Sioux County seat that normally has a population of less than 6,000.

"The Tulip Festival draws visitors from around the state, around the country, and around the world," said Orange City Chamber of Commerce executive director Mike Hofman.

The event highlights the community's Dutch heritage and one of the festival's most-honored tradition is its Night Show, which started nearly 75 years ago.

Since 1950, amateur actors, musicians and backstage personnel have volunteered their time to put on a show.

"I remember how much fun it was to see the Night Show and I couldn't wait to be a part of the action," Todd Vande Griend, a vet of more than 20 Night Shows, explained.

According to Vande Griend, a large part of the appeal came from knowledge that it was a community effort.

"It's a kick seeing your friend or your neighbor up on stage," he said, "You're seeing an entirely different side of them."

Over the years, Night Shows have included live productions of everything from "West Side Story" to "Mamma Mia" to "Shrek."

"My first Night Show was being a band member in a production of 'My Fair Lady,'" Lemke said. "My first acting part came in the Night Show version of 'Fiddler on the Roof.'"

He is especially excited about being part of "Footloose" which, as a movie, was a watershed moment for anyone who grew up in the '80s.

Unfortunately, neither Lemke nor his wife, both twentysomethings, were born in the 1980s.

"Well, some of the fashion was cool and the music was very good," Lemke admitted.

Indeed, "Footloose" -- which revolves around a teenager from Chicago who moves to a small town where he attempts to overturn a ban on dancing -- features a musical score that includes songs like "Almost Paradise," "Let's Hear It For the Boy" and "Holding Out for a Hero."

While Lemke has seen the movie -- featuring a fast-on-his-feet Kevin Bacon in the lead role of Ren McCormack -- he was actually more familiar with the stage version that featured music and lyrics by Tom Snow and Dean Pitchford.

"I think 'Footloose' is one of those musicals that high schools and colleges like to perform," he said. "It seems to appeal to everyone, regardless of age."

This was certainly the case with the Tulip Festival's decision to stage "Footloose" as it Night Show offering.

"The preshow ticket sales have been great, which is a positive sign," Lemke said.

So has the enthusiasm level of "Footloose's" more-than-40-member company of performers.

"We've been hard at work with rehearsals since mid-January," Lemke said. "We may be rehearsing up to three-or-four days-a-week as we get closer to showtime."

Don't be surprised when people wear multiple hats. While Amanda Lemke is the show's co-director, she is also a seamstress, who assists when it comes to costuming.

"Amanda is really having fun with the 1980s fashions, while her dad -- who is a contractor -- knows how to build sets," Lemke said.

Which is essential since nearly 80 people -- from backstage to onstage -- will be involved with "Footloose."

As dress rehearsals are slated to begin in a few weeks, Lemke said the yearly Night Show musical has become an integral part of the Tulip Festival.

"For the community, it allows us to put on a show," he said. "For the audience, it give them a chance to experience live theater."

Especially for people who are feeling a bit footloose.

"It is such a great show," Lemke said. "I'm sure people are going to love it."