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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 81–90

Jersey Boys

Jersey Boys

Oct 13 – Oct 18, 2015

Back by popular demand! Jersey Boys is the Tony®, Grammy® and Olivier Award-winning Best Musical about Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, The Four Seasons: Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi, four blue-collar kids who became one of the greatest successes in pop...

Lang Lang

Lang Lang

Sep 28

A prodigy who made his Beijing Concert Hall debut at age 13, Lang Lang became an overnight sensation at age 17 when he stepped in on short notice to perform with the Chicago Symphony. Since that time, he has dazzled audiences with his stunning virtuosity and passion, playing...

Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella

Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella

Sep 22 – Sep 27, 2015

With its fresh new take on the beloved tale of a young woman who is transformed from a chambermaid into a princess, this hilarious and romantic Rodgers + Hammerstein's CINDERELLA combines the story's classic elements – glass slippers, pumpkin, and a beautiful ball along with...

Ernie - The Play

Ernie - The Play

Aug 19 – Aug 22, 2015

“Looong gone,” but never forgotten! Mitch Albom’s hit play, Ernie, brings Detroit’s beloved Hall of Fame broadcaster Ernie Harwell to the stage. Ernie is about to give a moving thank you to grateful fans. An unusual boy coaxes him into giving the “broadcast of his life.” Albom...

Chess- A Staged Concert

Chess- A Staged Concert

Mar 27 – Mar 28, 2015

From the composers of Mamma Mia! and ABBA fame, and the lyricist of The Lion King and Jesus Christ Superstar The two greatest chess masters – one American, one Russian – compete to be the best in the world. But their greatest contest is for the love of the same woman. In a...

Long Lost Stories

Long Lost Stories

Feb 21

In the corner of a forbidden attic sits a longforgotten trunk filled with mysteries and magical stories lost to the world for many years. Join two young explorers as they discover the trunk and are immediately captured by its secrets and the Long Lost Stories inside. This...

Pippin

Pippin

Jan 27 – Feb 1, 2015

Join us for this magical, unforgettable production The New York Times declared Astonishing! A Pippin for the 21st Century. Pippin is back on Broadway for the first time since it thrilled audiences 40 years ago. It won the Tony Award® for Best Musical Revival! With a beloved...

Blue Man Group

Blue Man Group

Jan 16 – Jan 18, 2015

Experience the Phenomenon – Blue Man Group returns to Wharton Center! Blue Man Group is best known for their wildly popular theatrical shows and concerts which combine comedy, music, and technology to produce a totally unique form of entertainment. The New York Times heralds the...

BroadwayWorld TV


Ghost Light Cabaret Series: One Hit Wonders in Michigan Ghost Light Cabaret Series: One Hit Wonders
Flint Institute of Music (8/31-9/02)
Les Miserables in Michigan Les Miserables
Grosse Pointe Theatre (9/18-10/11)
Away in the Basement: A Church Basement Ladies Christmas in Michigan Away in the Basement: A Church Basement Ladies Christmas
Cornwell’s Dinner Theatre (11/03-12/20)
Come From Away in Michigan Come From Away
Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre (10/08-10/18)
Jimmy Buffett's Escape to Margaritaville in Michigan Jimmy Buffett's Escape to Margaritaville
Cornwell’s Dinner Theatre (7/09-8/22)
Clue in Michigan Clue
Flint Institute of Music (11/13-11/13)
WMU Theatre Presents Ragtime - In Concert  in Michigan WMU Theatre Presents Ragtime - In Concert
Dalton Center Recital Hall (2/11-2/14)
Tribute: MICHAEL JACKSON in Michigan Tribute: MICHAEL JACKSON
THE ENCORE MUSICAL THEATRE COMPANY (1/15-1/17)
Collage Concert in Michigan Collage Concert
Hill Auditorium (1/23-1/23)
Liverpool Legends "The Complete Beatles Experience!" in Michigan Liverpool Legends "The Complete Beatles Experience!"
Warner Vineyards (8/22-8/22)