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Wharton Center for Performing Arts

Upcoming Shows

World Ballet Company Presents: Swan Lake

Sep 27

World Ballet Company Presents: Swan Lake comes to Wharton Center's Cobb Great Hall on September 27, 2026, featuring a live orchestra performing Tchaikovsky's iconic score. The production, led by Sasha Gorskaya and Gulya Hartwick, showcases a cast of 50 international dancers...

Photo Review: Hank Williams, Jr.

Photo Review: Hank Williams, Jr.

by Brian Hilbrand · August 16, 2026

Hank Williams, Jr.'s rescheduled tour stop this past Friday at the Acrisure Amphitheater was nothing short of impressive and worth the wait from the original date, which was moved due to wildfire smoke from Canada reducing the Air quality in Michigan, and making it not good to be outside for extend…

Review: ESCAPE TO MARGARETAVILLE at Cornwell’s Turkeyville

Review: ESCAPE TO MARGARETAVILLE at Cornwell’s Turkeyville

by Brian Hilbrand · July 29, 2026

Escape to Margaretaville has been one of my bucket list shows as long as I have known they made it a musical.   I was supposed to originally see it back in 2020, when it was part of a season ticket I had to the Broadway Grand Rapids season, but ultimately it was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemi…

Review: “WEIRD AL” YANKOVIC BIGGER & WEIRDER TOUR at Acrisure Amphitheater

Review: “WEIRD AL” YANKOVIC BIGGER & WEIRDER TOUR at Acrisure Amphitheater

by Brian Hilbrand · July 9, 2026

“Weird Al” in true fashion sang a variety of spoofs from his original catalog, including hits like: “Tacky,” “Polkamania!,” 'It’s My World (and We’re All Living in It),” 'One More Minute,”“Another One Rides the Bus,” 'Amish Paradise,” 'Smells Like Nirvana,' and “Dare to B…

Review: DARIUS RUCKER'S SONGS OF SUMMER TOUR at Acrisure Amphitheater

Review: DARIUS RUCKER'S SONGS OF SUMMER TOUR at Acrisure Amphitheater

by Brian Hilbrand · June 29, 2026

I was fortunate enough to see and work a show when Darius first reintroduced himself as a Country artist at a small acoustic concert. Darius Rucker played the 107 MUS The Moose (WMUS) concert in Muskegon, Michigan, in 2013 shortly after he transitioned to country music, acting as a headliner for the…

Review: A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER at Avon Players

Review: A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER at Avon Players

by Emily Schenk · June 2, 2026

A production of A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder is only as strong as its many moving parts, and this cast delivered them with delicious precision. The women of the show were far more than romantic interests orbiting Monty’s schemes—they were a dazzling constellation all their own. Hosan…

Review: HAMILTON at The Fisher Theatre

Review: HAMILTON at The Fisher Theatre

by Emily Schenk · May 5, 2026

Hamilton is the room where it happens—a history remix that’s not throwing away its shot at dazzling you with rhyme, rhythm, and revolution. Founding fathers trade powdered wigs for mic drops as ambition rises faster than the tempo, and duels come with both pistols and punchlines. This production…

Review: THE LION KING at Broadway Grand Rapids

Review: THE LION KING at Broadway Grand Rapids

by Brian Hilbrand · April 21, 2026

The Lion King has been touring North America for more than 23 years, and during that time has welcomed over 25 million theatergoers, making it North America’s longest-running and most-attended Broadway tour. Having already played more than 10,000 performances in over 90 cities across North America…

Review: FIDDLER ON THE ROOF at Stagecrafters

Review: FIDDLER ON THE ROOF at Stagecrafters

by Emily Schenk · April 18, 2026

Fiddler on the Roof follows Tevye, a poor milkman in Anatevka, and his five daughters who choose love over arranged marriages, challenging Tevye’s beliefs about faith and family.…

Past Shows

93 total · showing 31–40

Detroit '67

Detroit '67

Feb 17

Playwright: Dominique Morisseau Produced by Detroit Public Theatre “[a] poetic play of fire-fueled dreams” — Star Tribune “mind blowing!” — The Huffington Post In 1967 Detroit, Motown music is getting the party started, and Chelle and her brother Lank are making ends meet by...

Detroit '67

Detroit '67

Feb 16

Playwright: Dominique Morisseau Produced by Detroit Public Theatre “[a] poetic play of fire-fueled dreams” — Star Tribune “mind blowing!” — The Huffington Post In 1967 Detroit, Motown music is getting the party started, and Chelle and her brother Lank are making ends meet by...

Of Equal Place: Isotopes in Motion

Of Equal Place: Isotopes in Motion

Mar 21

Of Equal Place: Isotopes in Motion will present an exhilarating performance that combines dance, video, and physics while featuring professional dancers and guest performances by local youth. The show highlights the wonders of science and illuminates the research at the Facility...

Thrill Me: The Leopold & Loeb Story

Thrill Me: The Leopold & Loeb Story

Feb 12 – Feb 16, 2020

Book, Music and Lyrics by Stephen DolginoffDirected by Bert GoldsteinA Wharton Center Theatre Production A brilliant, unforgettable musicalSends chills down the spine. Intoxicating. Talkin Broadway A potent tale from history with a twist of artistic focus as it traces the hopes...

Kenny Barron Trio & Sean Jones Quartet

Kenny Barron Trio & Sean Jones Quartet

Jan 30

A National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master, Kenny Barron has an unmatched ability to mesmerize audiences with his elegant playing, sensitive melodies and infectious rhythms. Hailed as One of the top jazz pianists in the world by the LA Times and The most lyrical piano player...

Act One: Dino Light

Act One: Dino Light

Jan 25

Recommended for ages 6-11 In this original storyline, a famous scientist with magic powers brings a friendly dinosaur to life. When the dinosaur wanders away from home, he discovers a wonderful world full of creatures that light up the darkness and help him find the true meaning...

Jonathan Biss Plays Beethoven

Jonathan Biss Plays Beethoven

Jan 8 – Jan 10, 2020

Two breathtaking, all-Beethoven programs of solo piano treasures with American piano phenomenon Jonathan Biss. A true virtuoso, Biss is widely hailed for his deeply felt musical interpretations and award-winning recordings, approaching music with a scholars curiosity and a...

Martina McBride: The Joy of Christmas Tour

Martina McBride: The Joy of Christmas Tour

Dec 19

Martina McBride is a multiple Grammy nominated country icon, whose incomparable vocals have kept her at the top of the charts garnering six No. 1 hits and twenty top 10 singles. Selling more than 18 million albums to date, McBride has earned fourteen Gold, nine Platinum, three...

Disney's Aladdin

Disney's Aladdin

Dec 4 – Dec 15, 2019

Discover a whole new world at Disneys Aladdin, the hit Broadway musical. From the producer of The Lion King comes the timeless story of Aladdin, a thrilling new production filled with unforgettable beauty, magic, comedy and breathtaking spectacle. Its an extraordinary theatrical...

Imani Winds

Imani Winds

Nov 8

Beautifulstark, aggressive, ethereal, playful, thoughtful Houston Culture MapOver the course of their 20+ year career, Imani Winds has discovered what audiences value most from their concerts: a sense of connectionwith the music, the performers, the composers, the artistry and...

BroadwayWorld TV


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Flint Institute of Music (8/31-9/02)
Les Miserables in Michigan Les Miserables
Grosse Pointe Theatre (9/18-10/11)
Mamma Mia! in Michigan Mamma Mia!
Stranahan Theater (4/27-5/02)
Much Ado About Nothing in Michigan Much Ado About Nothing
Arthur Miller Theatre (2/25-2/28)
Halloween Concert in Michigan Halloween Concert
Hill Auditorium (10/31-10/31)
A CHORUS LINE in Michigan A CHORUS LINE
THE ENCORE MUSICAL THEATRE COMPANY (6/17-7/18)
Tribute: JIMMY BUFFETT in Michigan Tribute: JIMMY BUFFETT
THE ENCORE MUSICAL THEATRE COMPANY (7/23-7/25)
Tribute: MICHAEL JACKSON in Michigan Tribute: MICHAEL JACKSON
THE ENCORE MUSICAL THEATRE COMPANY (1/15-1/17)
Women's Glee Club Fall Concert in Michigan Women's Glee Club Fall Concert
Hill Auditorium (11/14-11/14)
Doja Cat at Little Caesars Arena in Michigan Doja Cat at Little Caesars Arena
Little Caesars Arena (10/01-10/01)