Wharton Center Announces 35th Anniversary Season!

Wharton Center's 2017-2018 35th Anniversary Season will inspire, engage and connect audiences with a line-up of world class artists, Tony Award® winning Broadway shows and a magnificent, diverse performing arts series!

"This year we celebrate Wharton Center's anniversary with six brand-new Broadway musicals and, after almost a decade, the return of Disney's THE LION KING. We continue to move forward by engaging some of the most amazing performers available, including the glorious Yo-Yo Ma, Emanuel Ax and Leonidas Kavakos; the Vienna Boys Choir; Maceo Parker & the Ray Charles Orchestra; and Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy performing with their talented family - and that's just the beginning!" says Executive Director Mike Brand. "I'm inspired by this coming season, and I know our audiences will be too!"

The MSU Federal Credit Union Broadway at Wharton Center series has six Wharton Center premieres, including THE BODYGUARD, based on the smash-hit film and featuring a host of irresistible classics including "One Moment in Time," "So Emotional" and one of the most popular songs of all time, "I Will Always Love You." Also premiering are: the winner of Broadway.com's Audience Choice Award for Best Musical, FINDING NEVERLAND; WAITRESS, featuring original music by six-time Grammy® nominee Sara Bareilles; and the Tony® winning production of AN AMERICAN IN PARIS. In addition, ON YOUR FEET! is coming to East Lansing. The Emilio & Gloria Estefan Musical takes audiences behind the music and inside the real story of this record-making and groundbreaking couple. Also, the hilarious 10-time Tony® nominated show SOMETHING ROTTEN! which Variety called "Ingenious! Outrageous! Irresistible!" arrives in March. Then, in July of 2018, the six-time Tony Award® winning (including Best Musical) THE LION KING returns for a three-week-engagement.

Wharton Center's 2017-2018 35th Anniversary Season, also includes Sensory-Friendly Performances (SFPs). These events provide supportive and welcoming environments for families with children with Autism Sensory Disorders and other sensory sensitivities. Audiences will also be able to engage in popular Spotlight Dinners, Insight Previews and After Chats for many of this year's performances. A complete list of all the SFP events and engagement activities is available online (www.whartoncenter.com/sfp) or by phoning the Auto-Owner Insurance Ticket Office at Wharton Center.

The best way for a patron to experience the events in this amazing season is by becoming a Wharton Center season subscriber. Subscribers receive benefits that include significant discounts and access to the best seats before they go on sale to the general public. Subscribers can save up to 30% off public ticket prices - it is like buying six shows for less than the price of five! In addition, they receive special offers throughout the season, and can take advantage of incentives that include a patron discount card offering great discounts at local retailers and restaurants. Also, subscribers will be the first to be able to access tickets to HAMILTON when the Broadway blockbuster arrives in East Lansing during the 2018-2019 season.

Patrons can request brochures by calling 1-800-WHARTON. Interactive brochures are online at whartoncenter.com. Below is a complete list of the 2017-2018 season lineup.

MSU FEDERAL CREDIT UNION BROADWAY AT WHARTON CENTER:

The Bodyguard, October 17-22, 2017

An American in Paris, November 14-19, 2017

Finding Neverland, December 12-17, 2017

Waitress, January 23-28, 2018

On Your Feet!, February 13-18, 2018

Something Rotten!, March 13-18, 2018

Disney's The Lion King, July 11-29, 2018

• Sensory-Friendly Performance July 21, 2018 at 2:00 pm.

WHARTON CENTER'S PERFORMING ARTS SERIES INCLUDES:

CLASSICAL AT WHARTON CENTER:

Moscow State Symphony Orchestra, Pavel Kogan, conductor, November 7, 2017

Vienna Boys Choir: Holiday, November 28, 2017

Yo-Yo Ma, Emanuel Ax, Leonidas Kavakos, February 26, 2018

DANCE AT WHARTON CENTER:

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago October 10, 2017

Travis Wall's Shaping Sound: After the Curtain November 1, 2017

Moscow Festival Ballet: January 12, 2018

Cinderella

Dance Theatre of Harlem May 2, 2018

MSU FEDERAL CREDIT UNION JAZZ AT WHARTON CENTER:

Squirrel Nut Zippers and Davina & the Vagabonds January 18, 2018

The Birdland All-Stars, Featuring Tommy Igoe, February 24, 2018

To Ray with Love, Starring Maceo Parker, Featuring The Ray Charles Orchestra & The Raelettes , April 20, 2018

THE DOCTORS COMPANY VARIETY AT WHARTON CENTER:

David Sedaris, November 3, 2017

Jeff Daniels and the Ben Daniels Band, November 12, 2017

Yamato - The Drummers of Japan, February 6, 2018

Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy: Visions from Cape Breton & Beyond, February 8, 2017

THE ILLUMINATE SERIES AT WHARTON CENTER:

Stuart Pimsler Dance & Theater: Matinee, January 17, 2018

Lungs, February 15-18, 2018

WORLD VIEW LECTURE SERIES:

David Ignatius, October 30, 2017

Gina McCarthy, December 4, 2017

Lynn Nottage, April 2, 2018

ACT ONE FAMILY SERIES:

Dr. Seuss's The Cat in the Hat October 28, 2017

• Sensory-Friendly Performance October 29, 2017

Dragons Love Tacos...and More!, January 27, 2018

Clementine, March 24, 2018

• Sensory-Friendly Performance March 25, 2018

Lightwire Theater: Moon Mouse, A Space Odyssey , April 15, 2018

Photo credit: Joan Marcus