Michigan State University Wharton Center made tickets for the upcoming 2024-2025 performing arts season available on its website this morning at 9 a.m. Several Broadway musicals, plays and shows are headed to East Lansing and will begin Oct. 4.
"Our season centers around experience; (it's) about finding those moments of joy," Wharton Center Executive Director Eric Olmscheid said. "Our goal is to offer the chance to find those life-affirming moments on stage.”
Last year's season consisted of different musicals, such as "Mamma Mia!", "Hairspray" and "Funny Girl," and the upcoming season aims to continue bringing Broadway extraordinaire to campus.
"The power of theater is really powerful because theater can change people's lives," Wharton Center Public Relations Manager Bob Hoffman said. "We can inspire a new generation to possibly go into theater or (go) into backstage and production. Theater can make you think; theater can make you want to discuss it. There's an energy with it, and it's sometimes palpable."
"Les Misérables" will kick off the Broadway series on Oct. 8 and run through the 13. The award-winning musical is set in 19th century France and follows the life of Jean Valjean, an ex-convict seeking redemption.
Many other popular shows, such as "Hamilton" and "Life of Pi," will also grace the Wharton Center's stage. A full list of Broadway shows for the 2024-2025 season can be found here.
“Hamilton has received so much hype, and it's so incredible, and we've had it in the past, and it just brings new members to Wharton Center because it's a show that has really garnered a lot of attention,” Hoffman said. “Then, when people come to Wharton Center, I think that they're more apt to return because they will say, 'Oh my gosh, did you know that the London Philharmonic Orchestra is coming to the Wharton Center?' and they'll see that."
In addition to Broadway bringing its magic to the performing arts center, several other shows will make their rounds, including “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” on Oct. 15, “STOMP” on Nov. 6-8 and “The Peking Acrobats” on Feb. 25, 2025. Hoffman also highlighted the London Philharmonic Orchestra, "Mandy Patinkin: Being Alive" and "Pink Martini."
"I think that when you look at the performing arts that we have you're going to see everything from jazz variety, dance, theater, classical music, whatever you want," Hoffman said. "You're going to find (it) at the Wharton Center and (be) super excited about that."
Family friendly shows like "Family Magic with Bill Blagg" will run on Dec. 7, as well as "Goodnight Moon and The Runaway Bunny" on Feb. 2, 2025.
"So, when I tell you all of this stuff that's coming to East Lansing, that's incredible," Hoffman said. "You don't have to travel to big cities to see this kind of entertainment. You can see it right in your own backyard at Wharton Center."
Tickets are available for purchase on Wharton Center's website.
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