The stage also will be lit up Dec. 15-19 with the new comedic musical “9 to 5,” right around the time students will be taking their final exams.

For those uninterested in the fall performances, “Stomp” hits the stage in late January and the jazzy, Tony award-winning “Chicago” heats up Wharton Center, in April.

Many students said they were excited for the lineup of performances to come to Wharton.

“I’ve never seen (“Chicago”) before and it looks really good,” computer science sophomore Nathan Tajima said. “I learned a lot about Chicago in my urban planning class and it’d be cool to see a musical about it.”

Elizabeth Olson, a music education junior, is on board with Tajima. She’s seen “Chicago” before and said the Broadway show is what she is most looking forward to for this season’s lineup.

“I love it because it’s not that typical cookie-cutter musical,” Olson said. “It’s not all happy and sunshine.”

Wharton Center’s student discount program offers $25 tickets for most Broadway shows and $15 for most non-Broadway performances.

“We have attractions right here on campus that you would pay hundreds to see in New York or London or Tokyo,” said Bob Hoffman, public relations manager at Wharton Center.

Hoffman said there also is a wide variety of shows available for MSU students with varying interests.

“No matter what your taste — Broadway, jazz, classical music — you’re going to find it in one of the four theatres Wharton Center manages,” said Hoffman.

Wharton Center completed new renovations to its building on Bogue Street and Wilson Road, which, Hoffman said, makes the facility
both more functional and aesthetically pleasing for its patrons.

“The box office is more convenient because it’s out of the way of traffic,” Hoffman said. “We have a larger gift shop, which has really cool stuff in it and there’s more patron space on the outside of the building (for) before and after the show. Also, for students, more bike racks outside.”

The Performing Arts Series at Wharton Center kicks off with Aesop Bops visiting Sept. 26 and the Tierney Sutton Band, Oct. 1.

The Performing Arts Series includes plays, ballets, musicians and singers of all genres exhibiting influences from all over the world.

For more information on the year’s upcoming schedule or to purchase tickets, visit whartoncenter.com or call the box office at (800)-WHARTON.