Michigan State University’s Wharton Center for Performing Arts has officially announced its selections for the upcoming 2025-2026 Broadway series. The list includes six Broadway shows that will be making their Wharton Center debut.
The shows are "A Beautiful Noise," "The Wiz," "Back to the Future: The Musical," "Kimberly Akimbo," "Clue" and "& Juliet." Public relations manager for the Wharton Center for Performing Arts Bob Hoffman said the lineup will also include two special events.
"What's great about this year is that we have six shows that are all brand new, shows that have never been here before," Hoffman said. "Then we have two special events that have been to Wharton Center in the past, 'Disney’s Beauty and the Beast' and 'Hadestown,' but both shows sold amazingly well, and our patrons want to see them again."
Executive director of the Wharton Center for Performing Arts Eric Olmscheid said this upcoming season will consist of shows that range from funny to thought-provoking pieces.
"I'm really interested in finding a blend between all of those pieces," Olmscheid said. "It's important to think about what does our community experience in the course of the season, and how do all those different shows in the series really fit together?"
On March 3, the tickets to the upcoming season are available only to Wharton Center subscribers. Anyone can become a subscriber by purchasing the season package, which consists of six shows, for $238. Subscribers can also add on the two special event shows. Individual tickets will go on sale this summer.
Here is a full list of the Broadway shows and special events coming to the Wharton Center for the 2025-2026 season.
"A Beautiful Noise" – Sept. 16-21
In collaboration with Neil Diamond, "A Beautiful Noise" features the story of a child from Brooklyn becoming a worldwide rock sensation. This show features highly popular songs like "Sweet Caroline" and "Forever in Blue Jeans."
"The Wiz" – Dec. 9-14
The Tony Award-winning musical "The Wiz" retells L. Frank Baum’s "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz," with a twist. "The Wiz" is an African-American centered musical, featuring songs like "Ease On Down The Road" and "Mean Ole Lion."
"Back to the Future: The Musical" – Jan. 13-18
Featuring characters Marty McFly and Doc Brown changing the course of history, "Back to the Future: The Musical" presents the classic story from the 1985 Oscar-winning movie, but with a musical twist. The show will feature songs including "The Power Of Love" and "Johnny B. Goode," along with original music by Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard.
"Kimberly Akimbo" – March 10-15
The five Tony-Award winning musical "Kimberly Akimbo" tells the story of growing up and growing old (in no particular order) featuring 16-year-old Kimberly, who just moved to a new town in New Jersey. The show features a Tony award-winning book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire, a Tony award-winning score by Jeanine Tesori, choreography by Danny Mefford and direction by Tony-nominated Jessica Stone.
"Clue" – April 7-12
Based on the fan-favorite 1985 Paramount movie as well as the classic Hasbro board game, "Clue" is a whodunit that keeps the audience guessing until the final twist at the end. The show features murder and blackmail when six guests gather at Boddy Manor for an unforgettable night.
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"& Juliet" – June 23-28
In the nine-time Tony-nominated musical "& Juliet," Juliet finds out that there is life after Romeo and that her existence doesn’t need to end because of him. Created by the Emmy-winning writer David West Read and direction by Luke Sheppard, "& Juliet" follows a journey where she discards her famous ending for a fresh beginning, including a second chance at life and love. This show also features popular songs, like "Roar" and "Since U Been Gone."
"Disney’s Beauty and the Beast" – Oct. 14-19
For its 30th Anniversary production, "Disney’s Beauty and the Beast" will appear back at the Wharton Center after nearly a decade. The well-known story of romance will be brought to life through classic songs like "Be Our Guest" and "Beauty and the Beast," and through the Oscar-winning and Tony-nominated score by Alan Menken and direction and choreography by Matt West.
"Hadestown" – Jan. 30-Feb. 1
The eight-time Tony and Grammy-winning musical will intertwine the stories of Orpheus and Eurydice, as well as King Hades and Persephone on a journey to the underworld and back. The musical shows how the world could be in Hadestown, where a song could change your fate. The National Tour is directed by Keenan Tyler Oliphant, with T. Oliver Reid as the choreographer.
"We have three musicals in the season that all won the Tony Award for Best Musical in their respective year on Broadway," Olmscheid said. "It's pretty rare. (It's) a pretty special element of this season."
According to Hoffman, Broadway shows are special to MSU students.
"I know that MSU students love Broadway, and I know that even if they don't love Broadway, if they see a Broadway show for the first time, we're able to open a new world up for them," Hoffman said. "We're able to give them an opportunity to experience something that may change their life. Broadway has the power to do that."
For more information on tickets and the upcoming Broadway series, visit the Wharton Center’s website here.
