Wharton Center 2017-2018 Brochure by Wharton Center

2017-2018 35th Anniversary Season

INSPIRING, ENGAGING, CONNECTING... Wharton Center believes that art is integral to living a rich, full life. We seek to inspire you by creating a connection between you and the artists performing on our stages. Above all, we hope that the work on our stages will inspire your mind and move your soul. That inspiration may come from hearing an impeccable note in a great piece of music, or it may come through the laughter generated by a hilarious comedy. The soul can soar with a dancer’s light steps, or it may climb to heights attained through a Broadway song. Our 2017-2018 35th Anniversary Season has been crafted to engage, stimulate and entertain you by sharing stories inherent in classical music, ballet, and Broadway theatre; by illuminating relationships through an intricate interplay between dance and film; by bringing us closer together through stories and song. We have secured SIX brand-new Broadway musicals, and, after almost a decade, the return of Disney’s The Lion King. We have engaged 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! The best way to enjoy these events is by becoming a subscriber, ensuring you the best seats to a Broadway blockbuster in the Cobb Great Hall or to an exquisite evening of dance in the Pasant Theatre. You can even sit ON the Pasant stage for an intimate drama. Explore this brochure to discover these gems for yourself. Take advantage of the subscriber discounts and add something new to your subscription – this is an opportunity to step into the enticing unknown! Enjoy exploring what we offer on our stages, but also please take some time to learn more about our outreach and engagement initiatives, including the MSU Federal Credit Union Institute for Arts & Creativity and our new Sensory-Friendly Performances. We are committed to connecting with our community and to making Wharton Center a welcoming performing arts center for everyone. Wharton Center’s priority seating, outlined on page 14, rewards you for supporting what you love. Your investment in us – whether that investment is in years of subscription or financial contribution – pays off for you in seating priority. For 35 years, we have been committed to bringing you world-renowned entertainment, transformative experiences and first-class service. We are honored to continue to serve you. Thank you for allowing us to be part of your life! Sincerely,

MIKE BRAND

Executive Director

P.S. Don’t forget to see How to Get the Best Seats order form insert on page 14 – you will be glad you did!

CONTENTS:

Broadway ............................................ p. 4 Illuminate ......................................... p. 11 Classical ............................................ p. 12 Seats4Kids ........................................ p. 14 Circle Membership Invitation .......... p. 14 Order Form Insert ............................ p. 14 Subscription Benefits How to Get the Best Seats

Performance Times ........................... p. 15 Sensory-Friendly Performances......... p. 15 Variety .............................................. p. 16 Dance .............................................. p. 18 Jazz.................................................... p. 20 Act One Family ................................ p. 22

MSUFCU Institute for Arts & Creativity ..................... p. 24 World View Lectures ........................ p. 25 Engagement ..................................... p. 26 Calendar ........................................... p. 27 Responsibility, Policies, Tips & Accessibility ....................... p. 27

WHY SUBSCRIBE?

• Get the Best Seats at the Best Price: Enjoy PRIORITY SEATING and SAVINGS of UP TO 30%* over regular ticket prices – Subscribers are guaranteed the BEST SEATS before tickets are offered to the public. • Save All Season Long: Continue saving with up to 10%* OFF additional tickets to most events throughout the season and use your Wharton Center PATRON DISCOUNT CARD for great offers at local retailers and restaurants. • GUARANTEE yourself a great time throughout the year by scheduling your entertainment and inspiration now – before life gets too hectic! You also enjoy first access to events added throughout the year.

MSU FEDERAL CREDIT UNION BROADWAY SERIES The Bodyguard, An American in Paris, Finding Neverland, Waitress, On Your Feet!, Something Rotten!, Disney’s The Lion King AND

PERFORMING ARTS SERIES

Featuring intriguing theatre, transformative classical music, inspirational dance, hot & smoky jazz, and eclectic variety events. CHOOSE:

SIX or SEVEN OF A KIND: Subscribe to SIX or SEVEN BROADWAY or PERFORMING ARTS events and SAVE UP TO 30% OFF * • PLUS save up to 30% OFF ANY additional BROADWAY or PERFORMING ARTS events when added to your order*

Subscribe to FIVE BROADWAY or PERFORMING ARTS events and SAVE UP TO 20% OFF *

ACT ONE FAMILY SERIES

Introduce your family to live theatre with these popular book titles and more, at incredibly low prices. Select all four events for the best value.

WORLD VIEW LECTURE SERIES Immerse yourself in today’s leading issues, presented by world-renowned experts, for amazingly low prices.

FOR MORE DETAILS, SEE ORDER FORM INSERT, PAGE 14.

*Savings in comparison to public individual ticket prices and vary by day of the week. Details on order form. Some limitations may apply. Discounts vary, please see order form for more information. Note ALL ticket prices listed in this publication INCLUDE a $3.50 Facility Fee per ticket. Performances, dates, times, programming, and prices are subject to change. All sales are final. Wharton Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Wharton Center is proud to announce Hamilton is coming to East Lansing in the 2018-2019 Season! 2017-2018 Wharton Center season ticket subscribers will have first access to Hamilton tickets when you renew your subscription for the 2018-2019 season that includes Hamilton. The best way to guarantee your tickets to Hamilton is to renew or purchase a season subscription for the 2017-2018 Season. Subscribers who then renew into the 2018-2019 Season will be able to guarantee their tickets for Hamilton before tickets become available to the general public.

rcu

Ma an

Jo ua r d. © dyg

Bo The

n in

arro

el M Rac h ox a s

ah C

b or d De

r an Farm e

ills as F ra n k J u d so n M

dy gu

ard .©

rcu

OCTOBER 17-22 Tuesday & Wednesday at 7:30pm, Thursday at 7:30pm ( ), Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 2pm & 8pm, by request) & 6:30pm Sunday at 1pm (

ny in T

Tickets from $32* • Cobb Great Hall

ra h

Co xa

sR ac he

a rr on

Based on the smash-hit film, the award-winning musical The Bodyguard will star Grammy® Award nominee and R&B powerhouse Deborah Cox! Former Secret Service agent-turnedbodyguard Frank Farmer is hired to protect superstar Rachel Marron from an unknown stalker. Each expects to be in charge. What they don’t expect is to fall in love. A breathtakingly romantic thriller, The Bodyguard features a host of irresistible classics including “Queen of the Night,” “So Emotional,” “One Moment in Time,” “Saving All My Love,” “Run to You,” “I Have Nothing,” “I Wanna Dance with Somebody,” and one of the most popular songs of all time: “I Will Always Love You.”

“The Bodyguard is a show with a gripping story, big characters, great humour, and superb scenery and special effects.” –West Sussex County Times Deborah Cox is not scheduled to perform at the Saturday matinee and Sunday evening performances. Contains adult language and subject matter; recommended for ages 13+. East Lansing engagement is welcomed by BZEMS Group at Merrill Lynch; The Christman Company; Delta Dental of Michigan; and Farm Bureau Insurance.

hy. urp

An Ameri

P can in

o ur aris T

om in g C

h y. P pan

by oto

wM the Mat Mu

ONCE YOU’VE SEEN IT, YOU’LL FIND IT HARD TO SETTLE FOR LESS EVER AGAIN.”

ew tth Ma by oto

—The Wall Street Journal

n ca

er Ga

ren

bn cri

d an

Acclaimed director/choreographer and 2015 Tony Award® winner Christopher Wheeldon brings the magic and romance of Paris into perfect harmony with unforgettable songs from George and Ira Gershwin in the show that earned more awards than any other musical in the 2015 season!

ri me

An American in Paris is the new Tony Award® winning musical about an American soldier, a mysterious French girl, and an indomitable European city, each yearning for a new beginning in the aftermath of war.

Tickets from $32* • Cobb Great Hall

s. ari

Tuesday & Wednesday at 7:30pm, Thursday at 7:30pm ( ), Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 2pm & 8pm, by request) & 6:30pm Sunday at 1pm (

y. rp h

NOVEMBER 14 -19

The New York Times raves, “An American in Paris is a triumph! Pure joy!” and the Wall Street Journal declares, “Once you’ve seen it, you’ll find it hard to settle for less ever again.” Don’t miss this stunning Broadway hit when it arrives in East Lansing on its first national tour! For most audiences, ages 10+. East Lansing engagement is welcomed by Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith, P.C.; Jackson National Life Insurance Company; and Portnoy and Tu, DDS, PC.

AN AMERICAN IN PARIS MUSIC AND LYRICS BY

GEORGE GERSHWIN AND IRA GERSHWIN BOOK BY

CRAIG LUCAS DIRECTED AND CHOREOGRAPHED BY

CHRISTOPHER WHEELDON Illustration: Don Oehl; Logo: Esther Wu

ie l

my D ere it: J

red

oto C

Ne ver lan d. P h ing

in F in d ok Ho

pta in s Ca

ewit ta

mH d To B a rr ie a n

s JM Billy Harri ga n Ti gh e a

“

DECEMBER 12-17

FA R A ND AWAY THE

it: J

ere

my D

a ni

BEST MUSIC A L OF T HE Y E A R ! ”

Tickets from $32* • Cobb Great Hall

in Fin d

ing

Ne ve rla n

d. P

ho to C

red

N PR

Tuesday & Wednesday at 7:30pm, Thursday at 7:30pm ( ), Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 2pm & 8pm, by request) & 6:30pm Sunday at 1pm (

ris

tin e

ye r

Sy lvi aL

lew ely

av ie s

The winner of Broadway.com’s Audience Choice Award for Best Musical, this breathtaking smash “captures the kid-at-heart,” says TIME Magazine. Vogue cheers, “It’s a must-see you’ll remember for years to come!” Directed by visionary Tony® winner Diane Paulus and based on the critically acclaimed Academy Award® winning film, Finding Neverland tells the incredible story behind one of the world’s most beloved characters: Peter Pan. Playwright J.M. Barrie struggles to find inspiration until he meets four young brothers and their beautiful widowed mother. Spellbound by the boys’ enchanting make-believe adventures, he sets out to write a play that will astound London theatergoers. With a little bit of pixie dust and a lot of faith, Barrie takes this monumental leap, leaving his old world behind for Neverland, where nothing is impossible and the wonder of childhood lasts forever. The magic of Barrie’s classic tale springs spectacularly to life in this heartwarming theatrical event. Finding Neverland is “far and away the best musical of the year!” (NPR). Recommended for all audiences including couples, parents, grandparents and kids 5+! East Lansing engagement is welcomed by Farm Bureau Insurance and Mayberry Homes.

W INNER ! BROA DWAY.COM’S AUDIENCE CHOICE AWA R D FOR BEST MUSIC A L

rcu

Ma an

ell Jessie Mu

er as J

nd n na a

C as t

in th

rigin

P way oad l Br

u rod

ctio

es s aitr fW no

h . P

C oto

: Jo dit

cu s . an M ar dit: Jo ion uc t rod

yP wa ad

MUSIC BY 6-TIME GRAMMY NOMINEE

h nt ai

ell Mu

e ssi

“THE WOMEN OF WA ITR ESS A R E CH A NGING BROADWAY!” –TIME Magazine

e sJ

Tickets from $32* • Cobb Great Hall

n igi

al B

SARA BAREILLES

r eO

Tuesday & Wednesday at 7:30pm, Thursday at 7:30pm ( ), Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 2pm & 8pm, by request) & 6:30pm Sunday at 1pm (

re to C Ph o es s . aitr W f o

JANUARY 23 -28

PHOTO BY PAMELA HANSON

ew Dr

ng hli

.P Dr

tte ma

This irresistible new hit features original music and lyrics by six-time Grammy® nominee Sara Bareilles (“Brave,” “Love Song”), a book by acclaimed screenwriter Jessie Nelson (I Am Sam) and direction by Tony Award® winner Diane Paulus (Pippin, Finding Neverland). Inspired by Adrienne Shelly’s beloved film, Waitress tells the story of Jenna – a waitress and expert pie maker. Jenna dreams of a way out of her small town and loveless marriage. A baking contest in a nearby county and the town’s new doctor may offer her a chance at a fresh start, while her fellow waitresses offer their own recipes for happiness. But Jenna must summon the strength and courage to rebuild her own life. Don’t miss this uplifting musical celebrating friendship, motherhood, and the magic of a well-made pie. Contains adult language and subject matter; recommended for ages 13+. East Lansing engagement is welcomed by Auto-Owners Insurance; Delta Dental of Michigan; Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn; Retailers Insurance Company; and Rick’s American Cafe/Harrison Roadhouse/Beggar’s Banquet.

“

A LITTLE SLICE OF HEAVEN! ” 7

hy .

rp Mu ew Ma tth

!© RF EE T

NY OU

of O as t l Br oad wa yC

in a rig

,O ste fan as E mil io E rra e ga

osh S nd J

Este fan a Gloria

añe as

Tuesday & Wednesday at 7:30pm, Thursday at 7:30pm ( ), Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 2pm & 8pm, by request) & 6:30pm Sunday at 1pm ( Tickets from $32* • Cobb Great Hall

ny ,O

rig

in a

roa

dw ay C

to fO

NY OU

RF EE T

!©

Ma tth

ew M

u rp

hy.

Ana Villaf

lo r ia E

ste fan

From their humble beginnings in Cuba, Emilio and Gloria Estefan came to America and broke through all barriers to become a crossover sensation at the very top of the pop music world. But just when they thought they had it all, they almost lost everything. From international superstardom to life-threatening tragedy, On Your Feet! takes you behind the music and inside the real story of this record-making and groundbreaking couple who, in the face of adversity, found a way to end up on their feet. Directed by two-time Tony Award® winner Jerry Mitchell (Kinky Boots), with choreography by Olivier Award winner Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys) and an original book by Academy Award® winner Alexander Dinelaris (Birdman), On Your Feet! features some of the most iconic songs of the past quarter-century – and one of the most inspiring stories in music history.

sG ea illa fañ

SIC ISE . U M E TH SISTIBL IRRE IS ORY T T LE . S B E A H T T GE UNFOR

FEBRUARY 13 -18

Contains a few moments of strong language. Recommended for most audiences 5+. East Lansing engagement is welcomed by The Christman Company; Jackson National Life Insurance Company; Palmer, Bush & Jensen Family Funeral Homes; and Tri-Star Trust Bank.

Ana Villafañe and Original Broadway Company

Photos: Matthew Murphy

a ni

Cast of th

n! N otte ing R ometh

na atio

ur. l To

D my ere ©J

MARCH 13 -18 “AN EXPLOSION OF MUSICAL JOY!”

Tuesday & Wednesday at 7:30pm, Thursday at 7:30pm ( ), Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 2pm & 8pm, by request) & 6:30pm Sunday at 1pm (

D my ere

ie l

–NPR

u To

r. ©

Tickets from $32* • Cobb Great Hall

th of

o eS

ng thi me

tte Ro

tio Na

l na

With 10 Tony® nominations including Best Musical, Something Rotten! is a “big, fat hit!” (New York Post). Set in the ‘90s – the 1590s – this hilarious smash tells the story of Nick and Nigel Bottom, two brothers who are desperate to write their own hit play while the “rock star” Shakespeare keeps getting all the hits. When a local soothsayer foretells that the future of theatre involves singing, dancing and acting at the same time, Nick and Nigel set out to write the world’s very first MUSICAL! With its heart on its ruffled sleeve and sequins in its soul, Something Rotten! is “The Producers + Spamalot + The Book of Mormon. Squared!” (New York Magazine). “The FUNNIEST THING since THE BOOK OF MORMON!” –AP “INGENIOUS! OUTRAGEOUS! IRRESISTIBLE!” –Variety For most audiences, ages 8+.

10 PHOTO © JEREMY DANIEL

TONY AWARD

NOMINATIONS INCLUDING

BEST MUSICAL 9

A 35TH ANNIVERSARY SIGNATURE EVENT SUBSCRIBER PERFORMANCES:

JULY 11 -17 Tuesday & Wednesday at 7:30pm, Thursday at 7:30pm ( ), Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 2pm & 8pm, by request) & 6:30pm Sunday at 1pm ( Tickets from $35* • Cobb Great Hall More than 90 million people around the world have experienced the phenomenon of Disney’s The Lion King, and now you can, too, when mid-Michigan’s best-loved musical returns to Wharton Center. Winner of six Tony Awards® including Best Musical, this landmark musical event brings together one of the most imaginative creative teams on Broadway. Tony Award® winning director Julie Taymor brings to life a story filled with hope and adventure set against an amazing backdrop of stunning visuals. The Lion King also features some of Broadway’s most recognizable music, crafted by Tony Award® winning artists Elton John and Tim Rice. There is simply nothing else like The Lion King. Disney’s The Lion King full run: July 11-29 Recommended for all ages, 6+.

“

THERE IS SIMPLY”

NOTHING ELSE LIKE IT. THE NEW YORK TIMES

East Lansing engagement is welcomed by Auto-Owners Insurance; Delta Dental of Michigan; Farm Bureau Insurance; Jackson National Life Insurance Company; and McLaren Greater Lansing.

ILLUMINATE il • lu • mi • nate (i ' loom nāt) 'e

—

(verb) to give light to; light up; to brighten; animate; to make clear; to inform; enlighten

Wharton Center believes that art should offer new ways of viewing the world, connecting with bold creative spirits expressing universal topics and themes. Welcome to our 2017-2018 “Illuminate” series, an opportunity to explore unique performances that reveal the complexities and frailties of human relationships.

LUNGS February 15-18, 2018 Thursday at 7:30pm, Friday & Saturday at 8:00pm, Sunday at 1:00pm Tickets from $22 • Pasant Stage “Genius” –Washingtonian “A beautifully crafted love story that is not only intensely personal but also poignantly universal.” –Toronto Star On a trip to IKEA, a young couple tries to navigate the question of whether to have a child. The conversation spirals into a series of existential and often funny discussions about what they know life to be, revealing an emotional, real, and fiercely honest love story. Called “deeply human” (The Guardian), Lungs explores a young couple’s relationship through crackling dialogue with deep, universal resonance. This Wharton Center Theatre Production features unique minimalist staging with the audience sharing the Pasant stage with the performers. Contains adult language and subject matter; recommended for ages 16+. Sponsored by MSU Outreach & Engagement.

STUART PIMSLER DANCE & THEATER: MATINEE Wednesday, January 17, 2018 at 7:30pm Tickets from $30 • Pasant Theatre

“A sexy meditation on romantic escapism...” – Minneapolis Star Tribune Be transported to a time of grainy, romantic films in which celluloid characters pass through layered interactions in pursuit of love and connection. Films-withinfilms collide in Matinee, a dance/theater/film piece inspired by Robert Coover’s extraordinary New Yorker short story. This remarkable work is created by Stuart Pimsler Dance & Theater Artistic Co-Directors Stuart Pimsler and Suzanne Costello, in collaboration with filmmaker Andrew Welken. A man and a woman search for connection, filled with desire and longing for a wisp of something just out of reach. Throughout this wondrously intertwined piece, the performers move effortlessly through the stage and screen, exploring the nature of relationships in the delicate divide between fantasy and reality. Underwritten in part by the William Wright Endowment Fund for New Works.

CLASSICAL

A 35TH ANNIVERSARY SIGNATURE EVENT

EMANUEL AX, LEONIDAS KAVAKOS & YO-YO MA Monday, February 26, 2018 at 7:30pm Tickets from $41 • Cobb Great Hall

“I can’t imagine a more perfect performance than the one I experienced.” –MassLive Cello icon Yo-Yo Ma, Grammy-winning pianist Emanuel Ax, and violinist extraordinaire Leonidas Kavakos unite for an intimate performance exploring trios of Johannes Brahms – works that span the composer’s life from youthful zeal to mature wisdom. When they performed this program at Tanglewood, these great musicians kindled a multitude of standing ovations from an astounded sold-out crowd. Emanuel Ax is known for his “thoughtful, lyrical, lustrous” pianism (The Washington Post) that is “strong on bravura, [and] ravishing in finesse” (The Guardian). Leonidas Kavakos, “a spectacular artist” (Philadelphia Inquirer), was awarded the Léonie Sonning Music Prize in 2017. Yo-Yo Ma is one of the most prolific artists in the world, brilliantly collaborating across several genres. Ma’s “performances are wonderfully eloquent and sophisticated” (Los Angeles Times), marked with “beautifully calibrated dynamic detailing” (Chicago Classical Review). One of the highlights of the season! “[Ax, Kavakos and Ma] seemed to relish every second on stage together. The crowd relished every single note. A thunderous applause filled the hall.” –The Massachusetts Republican

Series Media Sponsor:

MOSCOW STATE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PAVEL KOGAN, CONDUCTOR NAREK HAKHNAZARYAN, CELLO

Tuesday, November 7, 2017 at 7:30pm

Tickets from $29 • Cobb Great Hall

One the world’s top orchestras returns to Wharton Center under the baton of Pavel Kogan. This time, Narek Hakhnazaryan joins the orchestra. This young Armenian cellist took our breath away with his solo performance with the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra in 2013. He has since earned critical acclaim with major orchestras around the globe, with The Strad magazine describing him as “dazzlingly brilliant.” Hakhnazaryan will be featured in Robert Schumann’s Cello Concerto. The orchestra will round out the night with the Rienzi Overture, containing some of Richard Wagner’s most majestic melodies, and Jean Sibelius’ beautifully captivating Symphony No. 2. Sponsored by Comprehensive Psychological Services; Governmental Consultant Services; and Stanley & Selma Hollander Endowment Fund.

VIENNA BOYS CHOIR: HOLIDAY Tuesday, November 28, 2017 at 7:30pm Tickets from $22 • Cobb Great Hall

Nothing evokes the joy and magic of the season like these celestial voices performing everything from Gregorian chant to popular holiday favorites from around the world. The choir has charmed audiences around the globe with rapturous harmonies, purity of tone, delightful repertoire and charming demeanor. “The angelic voices of this most famous vocal group are ageless” (Salt Lake Tribune). The choir has been synonymous with fine choral music for over 500 years and has collaborated with some of the world’s greatest composers, including Mozart and Bruckner. Franz Schubert was himself a chorister. An enchanting evening of music for the entire family! Sponsored by Auto-Owners Insurance; Plante Moran, PLLC; and Retailers Insurance Company.

Change a life! You’re invited Young people who are engaged in the arts do better in school and are more involved in their communities. We invite you to help us make this connection. The Seats 4 Kids scholarship fund provides free tickets to economically challenged youth and families who could not otherwise afford to attend live performing arts events.

...to support what you love & make a difference!

Private support allows Wharton Center to: • Present world-class artists and productions in your own backyard. • Engage and inspire our community through arts education.

Support this scholarship fund by adding a donation to your order form. To learn more, please visit whartoncenter.com/seats4kids. Please consider adding a little extra to your donation to benefit underserved families needing tickets to our Sensory-Friendly Performances (see page 15).

“Attending theatre makes me happy. I’m glad I can pass that happiness on to kids less fortunate than me.” –Ava, young donor

• Celebrate diverse perspectives. • Keep ticket prices low – currently 10%-15% less than most regions.

Your commitment gives you: • PRIORITY SEATING before the general public. • Access to our DONOR LOUNGE. • The opportunity to MEET THE CAST at post-performance receptions.*

Add your gift to your order form or donate online at whartoncenter.com/support-us. *Benefits do not apply to all membership levels. Please refer to Circle Level overview at whartoncenter.com/support/individual/circle-membership.

Wharton Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Your contribution allows the arts to thrive and enrich lives in our community. Thank you!

Lasting Impression

In the summer of 2018, Wharton Center will replace all seats in the Cobb Great Hall and Pasant theatres. This exciting project provides an opportunity for you to support what you love and make a lasting impression! For a taxdeductible contribution of $1,000, $1,750 or $2,500 (depending on seat location) we will engrave the inscription(s) of your choice on a name plate to be placed on one or more of our new seats. If you are receiving a subscription renewal packet, use the enclosed Seat Plate Campaign pledge form to make your gift today. To learn more, go to

whartoncenter.com/support/seatplate 14

or contact Doug Miller at (517) 884-3112 or Kristen Calabrese at (517) 884-3140

PERFORMANCE TIMES:

Most of our shows will perform at the following times. Please check our website at whartoncenter.com or call 1-800-WHARTON for the most up-to-date information: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday Friday & Saturday evening Saturday matinee Sunday matinee ∆ Sunday evening ∆

7:30 pm 8:00 pm 2:00 pm 1:00 pm 6:30 pm

Except Jeff Daniels & the Ben Daniels Band, who will perform at 3 pm, November 12, 2017.

ACT ONE FAMILY SERIES PERFORMANCE TIMES: Saturdays & Sundays 1:30 pm & 4:00 pm

HAVE A GROUP OF 10 OR MORE?

Call Group Sales at 1-800-WHARTON or go to whartoncenter.com/groups.

COBB GREAT HALL’S GRAND TIER

In order to enhance the audience experience, the Grand Tier will be sold and seated on an as-need basis after seating the main floor. As a result, the Grand Tier will not be available on subscription for most shows including the Broadway Series. Seating Charts are available at whartoncenter.com/seatmaps.

WHAT IS A “FACILITY FEE”?

A facility fee is applied to every ticket sold at Wharton Center, regardless of type. Funds generated by facility fees are specifically used to maintain and upgrade Wharton Center facilities. For simplicity and clarity, we include the fee whenever and wherever we quote our prices. However, your ticket will list the $3.50 facility fee separate from the ticket price. In 2016, we used Facility Fee funds to completely replace the fly loft system over the Cobb Great Hall stage. In the near future, these funds will be used to replace the aging Wharton Center roof, lobby restoration and other necessary work.

INTRODUCING SENSORY-FRIENDLY PERFORMANCES

In our 2017-2018 35th Anniversary Season, Wharton Center will begin offering Sensory-Friendly Performances (SFPs). These events provide a supportive and welcoming environment for families with children with Autism Sensory Disorders and other sensory sensitivities. Accommodations include: • Lower sound and light levels. • Standing, movement and quiet spaces. • Trained volunteers and professionals on hand. • Social Narratives available online.

• Sensory supports (fidgets, earplugs, noise-cancelling head phones) available. • Audience may bring comfort objects, headphones, electronics, and support items.

Our 2017-2018 Sensory-Friendly Performances include: • Dr. Seuss’s The Cat in the Hat; Sunday, October 29 at 1pm • Clementine; Sunday, March 25 at 1pm • Disney’s The Lion King; Saturday, July 21 at 2pm If your family would like to attend one of these performances, please register to receive more information at: whartoncenter.com/SFP. Tickets are not available on subscription, but will go on sale at a date to be announced. PLEASE NOTE: we anticipate a strong demand for Seats 4 Kids scholarships for this program. Please consider donating to the Seats 4 Kids SFP in addition to your standard Seats 4 Kids donation to help us accommodate these needs. Thank you!

VARIETY

A 35TH ANNIVERSARY SIGNATURE EVENT

NATALIE MACMASTER & DONNELL LEAHY:

VISIONS FROM CAPE BRETON & BEYOND Thursday, February 8, 2018 at 7:30pm Tickets from $17 • Cobb Great Hall

It’s all in the family when master musicians Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy perform a new show with some very special guests – their children! These exceptional performers always give audiences an unforgettable musical experience by merging their magnificent individual talents while displaying their obvious joy in playing fiddle together. The evening will highlight the unique expertise, influences and stories of the first family of Irish culture with dancing, singing and, of course, world-class music-making. This fierce fiddling duo commands the stage with raw energy and passion that enhances their traditional Celtic heritage with a new flair.

Series Media Sponsor:

DAVID SEDARIS Friday, November 3, 2017 at 8:00pm Tickets from $24 • Cobb Great Hall

The celebrated NPR humorist and bestselling author returns for an evening of captivating conversation and social satire. His sardonic wit and incisive social critiques make David Sedaris one of the world’s pre-eminent humorists. He slices through cultural euphemisms and political correctness with masterful satire and keen observations on the human condition. He is the author of Me Talk Pretty One Day, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, When You Are Engulfed in Flames, Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls and more. His latest work, Theft by Finding, will be released in June 2017. Don’t miss this evening of hilarious brilliance! Sponsored by Piper & Gold Public Relations.

JEFF DANIELS & THE BEN DANIELS BAND Sunday, November 12, 2017 at 3:00pm

Tickets from $50 • Pasant Theatre

Emmy-winning actor, musician and Michigan native Jeff Daniels comes to Wharton Center with the Ben Daniels Band for one performance only! In 1976, Jeff bought a Guild D-40 from Herb David’s Guitar Studio in Ann Arbor, threw it in the back of his old Buick, and moved to New York City. That guitar led down a road into the artist that he didn’t know existed. Over 40 years later, he joins his son and the Ben Daniels Band onstage. Ben Daniels went to school on Bob Dylan, Robert Johnson and Jack White, among others. From their opening song to the finale of their set, this formidable group sizzles with originality, musicianship, and a sound that spans Americana, blues, jazz, and rock – pleasantly familiar, yet unforgettably unique!

YAMATO – THE DRUMMERS OF JAPAN: CHOUSENSHA – THE CHALLENGERS Tuesday, February 6, 2018 at 7:30pm Tickets from $17 • Cobb Great Hall

“A delight. Elegant, gorgeous and a sheer joy.” –Metro London We are all challengers. Let us challenge together. –Yamato The Yamato drummers return to East Lansing by popular demand! Their acclaimed performances of Japanese Taiko drumming and music have captivated over 6 million people in 53 countries around the world. In this brand-new show, the drummers challenge and push themselves to their absolute limits in a staggering display of physical strength as they use their entire bodies to produce thunderous music. Yamato will leave audiences exhilarated by this visually spectacular, high-energy and explosive show.

DANCE

A 35TH ANNIVERSARY SIGNATURE EVENT

HUBBARD STREET DANCE CHICAGO Tuesday, October 10, 2017 at 7:30pm Tickets from $23 • Cobb Great Hall

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago makes its long-awaited return! One of the greatest dance companies of all time, the ensemble celebrates its 40th Anniversary Season with a night of favorites spanning all four decades of the company’s illustrious history. Founding Artistic Director Lou Conte’s homage to swing, “The ‘40s,” will be featured, as will his beloved duet, “Georgia,” set to Willie Nelson’s “Georgia on My Mind.” The evening also includes Alejandro Cerrudo’s “One Thousand Pieces,” hailed as “magical” (Time Out Chicago) and “extraordinary” (Chicago Sun-Times), plus works by Twyla Tharp, William Forsythe, Lucas Crandall, and former Hubbard Street Artistic Director, Jim Vincent. Sponsored by Farm Bureau Insurance.

Series Media Sponsor:

TRAVIS WALL’S SHAPING SOUND: AFTER THE CURTAIN Wednesday, November 1, 2017 at 7:30pm Tickets from $29 • Cobb Great Hall

Through his Emmy® Award-winning work on So You Think You Can Dance, Travis Wall has become one of America’s favorite choreographers. His artistic direction of Shaping Sound has already produced one spell-binding show in Dance Reimagined, which has captivated audiences across North America. Now, Travis and Shaping Sound are back with their brand-new show, After the Curtain. These visual musicians continue to dazzle audiences as they tell the story of a man fighting to find his creative voice after the death of his one true love. Heart-wrenching, breath-taking, ultimately uplifting, this is one dance show that audiences will remember forever!

MOSCOW FESTIVAL BALLET:

CINDERELLA

Friday, January 12, 2018 at 8:00pm

Tickets from $15 • Cobb Great Hall

A wistful young woman, her cruel stepmother and stepsisters, a fairy godmother and her handsome prince: the classic story of Cinderella is a treat for all ages, and comes to life in the grand tradition of Russian ballet. Complete with a lavish set and sumptuous costumes, this production of Cinderella was originally choreographed by Rostislav Zakharov for the premiere of Sergei Prokofiev’s glorious score at the Mariinsky Theater in 1945. With more than 50 dancers, the Moscow Festival Ballet performs this masterpiece hailed by the Las Vegas Review-Journal as “deserving ‘bravos’ within minutes of the opening steps.” Sponsored by ProAssurance Casualty Company.

DANCE THEATRE OF HARLEM Wednesday, May 2, 2018 at 7:30pm Tickets from $18 • Cobb Great Hall

The internationally acclaimed Dance Theatre of Harlem is celebrating close to 50 years of creating vivid and ingenious forms of expression, bringing a contemporary flair to ballet repertoire and to diverse international audiences. Arthur Mitchell, the first African-American male principal dancer in a major U.S. ballet company, and the late Karel Shook founded the company as a response to the growing need for more artistic opportunities for children, especially those living in Harlem. Since then, this multicultural dance ensemble has achieved extraordinary success with powerful messages of self-reliance, artistic relevance and individual responsibility. Sponsored by L.O. Eye Care.

JAZZ

A 35TH ANNIVERSARY SIGNATURE EVENT

TO RAY WITH LOVE

STARRING MACEO PARKER FEATURING THE RAY CHARLES ORCHESTRA & THE RAELETTES

Friday, April 20, 2018 at 8:00pm Tickets from $23 • Cobb Great Hall

A young saxophonist from North Carolina once stood outside the Greensboro Coliseum hoping to catch just a glimpse of his idol, Ray Charles. That young man went on to become a legendary player in funk music history as James Brown’s saxophonist. Ray Charles’ music remained an undeniable influence throughout Maceo Parker’s career, and he included a Ray Charles cover on each of his albums. Maceo Parker was thrilled to go on tour with Charles in the ‘90s. Now, Maceo Parker joins forces with The Ray Charles Orchestra & The Raelettes for a spectacular program honoring his hero. To Ray with Love, the ultimate tribute to Ray Charles, premiered at the Hollywood Bowl in 2016, followed by a performance at the Monterey Jazz Festival to stunning acclaim. Now, this astonishing show comes to East Lansing! Sponsored by Auto-Owners Insurance; Brogan, Reed, Van Gorder & Associates/ Ohio National Financial Services; and Jackson National Life Insurance Company.

Series Media Sponsor:

SQUIRREL NUT ZIPPERS AND DAVINA & THE VAGABONDS Thursday, January 18, 2018 at 7:30pm

Tickets from $19 • Cobb Great Hall

A night of unique southern sound – hot jazz, soul, blues and swing! In honor of the 20th anniversary of the Squirrel Nut Zippers’ breakthrough album, Hot, creator Jimbo Mathus and founding member Chris Phillips craft a show of Delta blues, gypsy jazz, ‘30s swing and more, with leading musicians from New Orleans serving up the band’s unique flavor. “It’s not a reunion, it’s a revival!” Mathus exclaimed. The night also features Davina & the Vagabonds, who have stirred up the national scene with high-energy live shows, level A musicianship, sharp-dressed professionalism, and a commanding stage presence. Their shows combine New Orleans charm, Memphis soul swagger, dark theatricality, and tender gospel. Davina defies categories. She has been compared to Etta James, Amy Winehouse, Janis Joplin, Billie Holiday and Betty Boop...but she is a true original!

THE BIRDLAND ALL-STARS FEATURING TOMMY IGOE Saturday, February 24, 2018 at 8:00pm Tickets from $52 • Pasant Theatre

The Birdland All-Stars have been thrilling audiences at the “Jazz Corner of the World” for the last ten years. This dynamic new ensemble, straight from the jazz mecca of Manhattan, provides an unforgettable musical event that goes far beyond the traditional, setting the standard for the 21st-century jazz orchestra. Returning to the road for the first time in five years, The Birdland All-Stars have created new arrangements featuring the music of David Bowie, The Police and more, as well as fresh treatments of iconic compositions by Charlie Parker, Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock. All this led by one of the world’s greatest drummers: music wonder Tommy Igoe. Sponsored by Edge Partnerships; Foresight Group; TraveLuxe Wired, LLC; and Wolverine Development Corporation.

ACT ONE : Please join us for FREE interactive educational activities provided by our Inner Circle volunteers one hour prior to each Act One Family Series performance.

THE THE

CAT HAT IN IN THE THE

DR. SEUSS’S THE CAT IN THE HAT

PRESENTED BY THEATREWORKS USA

Saturday, October 28, 2017 at 1:30pm & 4pm

Tickets from $14* • Pasant Theatre Recommended for ages 6-11

“We looked! And we saw him! The Cat in the Hat!” From the moment his tall, red-and-white-striped hat appears around the door, Sally and her brother know that the Cat in the Hat is the funniest, most mischievous cat they have ever met. With the trickiest of tricks and the craziest of ideas, he is certainly fun to play with. And he turns a rainy afternoon into an amazing adventure. But what will Mother find when she comes home...?

Series Media Sponsor:

This series is made possible in part by Jackson National Life Insurance Company; and SuttonAdvisors, PLC.

DRAGONS LOVE TACOS...AND MORE! PRESENTED BY THEATREWORKS USA

Saturday, January 27, 2018 at 1:30pm & 4pm Tickets from $14* • Pasant Theatre Recommended for ages 6-11

If you want to throw a party for dragons, you have to remember the tacos. Dragons love tacos. All kinds of tacos! POOLS OF TACOS. But save the salsa. When dragons eat salsa, you’ll discover the results can be explosive. Adapted from the New York Times best seller, Dragons Love Tacos is a sizzling story full of fiery fun for your entire family. This Theatreworks musical revue also includes Interrupting Chicken, The Dot, Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride and Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa: School Days. Don’t miss this delightful, fun and funny compilation of contemporary children’s books!

CLEMENTINE

PRESENTED BY THEATREWORKS USA

Saturday, March 24, 2018 at 1:30pm & 4pm

Tickets from $14* • Pasant Theatre Recommended for ages 6-11

Clementine is having a terrible week, but this spunky eightyear-old doesn’t let her daily visits to the principal’s office get her down! Clementine tries to help out her friend, but ends up in a lot of trouble for it...until finally she’s worried that her parents might consider her “the hard one” in the family. They’re up to something mysterious. Are they thinking they’d be better off if they only had her little vegetable-named brother? Join America’s favorite curly-haired carrot-top as she navigates the hilarious waters of friendship, family, school and mischief on an epic third-grade adventure you’ll never forget.

MOON MOUSE, A SPACE ODYSSEY PRESENTED BY LIGHTWIRE THEATER

Sunday, April 15, 2018 at 1:30pm & 4pm

Tickets from $14* • Cobb Great Hall Recommended for ages 6-11

Marvin the mouse wants to be popular. Constantly bullied and picked on by the “cool” mice, he is labeled as a loser. To get away from the continuous badgering, he retreats into his science books and a world of fantasy. He longs to have adventures – to be the hero. Join Marvin on the space adventure of a lifetime: a trip to the surface of the moon on his homemade rocket, where he meets a strange cast of misfit creatures, learns of infinite peril and awesome beauty. Will Marvin make his dreams come true, bringing him the glory and acceptance he craves? This is a cosmic adventure about celebrating differences.

Every year, through the MSU Federal Credit Union Institute for Arts & Creativity, Wharton Center touches the lives of 30,000 young people, helping them find courage, confidence and sense of self. Research shows children who are involved in the performing arts have higher grades and school retention rates than their peers – and live more fulfilling lives due to enjoyment of the arts! The Institute’s programs enrich the arts experience for all ages, with highly impactful programs including: the summer Broadway musical theatre workshop series, Take It From The Top; the Young Playwrights Festival writing competition; Act One School Series performances; the Disney Musicals in Schools Program, in which elementary students perform their own Disney Musical production; the Kennedy Center Partners in Education Professional Development Series for arts educators; the Sutton Foster Ovation Awards, Michigan’s high school musical theatre awards; ĭmáGen, our collaboration with MSU’s Department of Theatre in the College of Arts and Letters, that brings together high school and college students with Broadway professionals; and other interactive programs. For more information on all the MSU Federal Credit Union Institute for Arts & Creativity at Wharton Center programs, please visit the Education and Engagement pages at www.whartoncenter.com.

WHARTON CENTER’S ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE PROGRAM An artist in residence is a performing artist with a dual role as a “teaching artist.” During a multi-day stay, nationally recognized teaching artists share their expertise and insights on creativity through close interaction with youth and adult learners. Wharton Center’s Artists in Residence program provides a nurturing environment for MSU students, high school students and others to participate in the creative process and to discover the fundamental value of performing arts. The 2017-2018 resident artists will include storyteller David Gonzalez; local teaching artist Sarah Hendrickson; teaching artists from the Stratford Festival of Canada; actress Paige Hernandez; renowned playwright Jose Rivera; and choreographers Stuart Pimsler and Suzanne Costello, from Stuart Pimsler Dance & Theater Company.

WORLD VIEW

DAVID IGNATIUS Monday, October 30, 2017 at 7:30pm Tickets from $14* • Cobb Great Hall

Bestselling author, Washington Post columnist, and co-moderator with Fareed Zakaria of the online journalism discussion group PostGlobal, David Ignatius has been making sense of the world for over 40 years. He’s covered nearly everything from the Pentagon to the CIA to Capitol Hill, global politics, the Middle East, and economics. He turned his CIA experiences into nine thrilling novels because, as Bob Woodward said, “Few understand espionage culture as well as Ignatius.” A lifetime achievement award-winner from the International Center for Journalists, his novel Body of Lies was also adapted into a film. His talk will focus on foreign policy and the war on terrorism.

GINA MC CARTHY Monday, December 4, 2017 at 7:30pm Tickets from $14* • Cobb Great Hall

Appointed by President Obama in 2009 as assistant administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency Office of Air and Radiation, and subsequently appointed head of the EPA in 2013, throughout her 30-year career Gina McCarthy has been a leading voice for common-sense strategies to protect public health and the environment. During her EPA tenure, she became the face of President Barack Obama’s global warming and climate change initiatives. She is a staunch advocate for reducing greenhouse gas pollution through cleaner energy sources and tougher clean-air regulations. As a proponent of the Clean Water Act, she will be speaking during MSU’s year-long focus on water.

LYNN NOTTAGE Monday, April 2, 2018 at 7:30pm

ashingto The W : Je oto

This series is made possible in part by the MSU Office of the President.

Series Media Sponsor:

s se

/For ma r Ditt

Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and screenwriter Lynn Nottage’s plays, including Ruined and Intimate Apparel, have been produced widely, and often deal with lives of women of African descent and those forgotten voices within our society. Her most recent play, Sweat, opened on Broadway in March 2017 to rave reviews. The story follows the decades-long hard labor of its characters, whose modest livelihoods are threatened by the evaporation of manufacturing jobs in America. She is an associate professor of theater at Columbia University and a lecturer in playwriting at Yale University.

n P ost

Tickets from $14* • Cobb Great Hall

ENGAGE WITH US! Make the most of your Wharton Center experience through our 2017-2018 35th Anniversary Season Engagement events. Join us for the following opportunities we offer to draw you closer to the heart of the presentations you witness on our stages.

Enjoy a delicious buffet meal and gain a unique insight into the evening’s program at a SPOTLIGHT DINNER at the following performances. Dinners are $55.00 per person. Please see your order form for more information. Moscow State Symphony Orchestra On Your Feet! Dance Theatre of Harlem

5:45PM; Tuesday, November 7 5:45PM; Thursday, February 15 5:45PM; Wednesday, May 2

Don’t miss these FREE informative talks presented by topic experts or members of the performing company. Get a glimpse of what’s to come at our INSIGHT PREVIEWS prior to these selected performances: Hubbard Street Dance Chicago Vienna Boys Choir: Holiday Yamato – The Drummers of Japan: Chousensha – The Challengers Lungs Emanuel Ax, Leonidas Kavakos & Yo-Yo Ma To Ray with Love starring Maceo Parker

6:45PM; Tuesday, October 10 6:45PM; Tuesday, November 28 6:45PM; Tuesday, February 6 7:15PM; Friday, February 16 6:45PM; Monday, February 26 7:15PM; Friday, April 20

Get a peek into the lives and minds of the artists performing on our stages at these informal post-performance question-and-answer conversations* in the theatre immediately following these events: Hubbard Street Dance Chicago The Bodyguard An American in Paris Finding Neverland Stuart Pimsler Dance & Theater: Matinee Waitress Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy: Visions from Cape Breton & Beyond Lungs Something Rotten! Dance Theatre of Harlem

Tuesday, October 10 Thursday, October 19 Thursday, November 16 Thursday, December 14 Wednesday, January 17 Thursday, January 25 Thursday, February 8 Thursday, February 15 Thursday, March 15 Wednesday, May 2

There is no need to RSVP for AFTER CHATS and INSIGHT PREVIEWS, but you might want to plan your evening to include them!

*Please note that performer participants will vary. Wharton Center does not guarantee any specific artist or company member’s participation.

2017-2018 SEASON OCTOBER 2017

JANUARY 2018

MARCH 2018

10 17-22 28 29 30

12 17

13-18 Something Rotten! Act One: Clementine 24 Act One: Clementine SFP* 25

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago The Bodyguard Act One: The Cat in the Hat Act One: The Cat in the Hat SFP* World View: David Ignatius

NOVEMBER 2017 Travis Wall’s Shaping Sound: After the Curtain 3 David Sedaris 7 Moscow State Symphony Orchestra, Pavel Kogan, Conductor Narek Hakhnazaryan, Cello 12 Jeff Daniels & the Ben Daniels Band 14-19 An American in Paris 28 Vienna Boys Choir: Holiday

Moscow Festival Ballet: Cinderella Stuart Pimsler Dance & Theater: Matinee 18 Squirrel Nut Zippers & Davina and the Vagabonds 23-28 Waitress Act One: Dragons Love Tacos 27

DECEMBER 2017 4 World View: Gina McCarthy 12-17 Finding Neverland

FEBRUARY 2018

APRIL 2018 2 15 20

World View: Lynn Nottage Act One: Lightwire Theater:

Moon Mouse: A Space Odyssey To Ray with Love Starring Maceo Parker Featuring The Ray Charles Orchestra & The Raelettes

Yamato – The Drummers of Japan: Chousensha – The Challengers 8 Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy: Visions from Cape Breton & Beyond MAY 2018 13-18 On Your Feet! 2 Dance Theatre of Harlem 15-18 Lungs 24 The Birdland All-Stars Featuring Tommy Igoe JULY 2018 26 Emanuel Ax, Leonidas Kavakos 11-29 Disney’s The Lion King & Yo-Yo Ma 21 Disney’s The Lion King SFP*

Performances, dates, times, programming and prices subject to change. All sales are final. *SFP = Sensory-Friendly Performance. See page 15 for more details.

PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT

Wharton Center offers a diverse selection of arts entertainment. Not all productions may appeal to or be appropriate for every person or for all ages. Therefore, patrons are responsible for making informed decisions regarding their ticket purchases.

HELPFUL TIPS AND INFORMATION (www.whartoncenter.com/plan-your-visit)

Please provide us with your email address: Wharton Center sends updated performance-related parking and late seating information via email a few days before each event. Email may also be used to communicate schedule changes or cancellations. Be sure to update your email information on your order form to receive this information. Patron Services: Located in the Sierra Lobby, the Patron Service Desk is open to assist guests attending performances. General information, accessibility services, lost and found, booster seats and binocular rentals are available at this location. Children and Families: Everyone attending Wharton Center performances must have a ticket regardless of age, unless otherwise specified. Please use discretion when choosing to bring a child to Wharton Center performances other than our family friendly or age-appropriate recommended performances. When in doubt, contact our Ticket Office for information regarding age appropriateness, or refer to our website. Cell Phones, Personal Electronic Devices, Cameras and Recording Devices: The use of cell phones, cameras, recording devices and other electronic devices is prohibited inside the performance venues. Start Time and Latecomers: We make every effort to begin our performances at the published start time. Latecomers may be asked to wait in the lobby and be seated at a predetermined time in the program which may be as late as intermission. At times, latecomers will be seated at the rear of the theatre until intermission and/or there may be a no late seating policy in effect. Please refer to the “Helpful Tips” email sent prior to each performance for specific information regarding late seating. Parking: Detailed directions and parking information will be mailed with your tickets and are available at whartoncenter.com.

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY DURING PERFORMANCES

Our staff is trained to assist patrons through multiple emergency situations. If you have questions regarding our safety and security procedures, please contact the House Management office at Wharton Center by calling 884-3119 or 884-3116. Please note, concealed weapons and firearms are prohibited within the facility by Michigan Compiled Laws, Section 28.425o (1)(f).

ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES

Please alert Ticket Office when requesting any of the following services with your ticket order. INFORMATION FOR PATRONS AND VISITORS WITH MOBILITY DISABILITIES: Barrier–Free Parking: Available on all levels of the Wharton Center parking ramp. Wharton Center entrance (level 2) is accessible by elevator from all levels. Drop-off Location: Patrons can be dropped off in the front loop located on Bogue Street. This drop-off location is approximately 50 feet from the building entrance. Curb to Seat Service: Ushers are available to escort patrons in or pick them up in one of our house wheelchairs. Available for most performances when requested in advance. Accessible seating: Wheelchair and scooter locations where patrons can remain in wheelchairs or transfer to theatre seats; seats with limited or no steps; companion seating or seats without arm rests are available. Accessible restrooms: All restrooms are wheelchair accessible. Companion-care restrooms are located in the Sierra Lobby. INFORMATION FOR PATRONS AND VISITORS WHO ARE DEAF OR HARD OF HEARING: Assistive Listening Devices: Wharton Center is equipped with an FM assistive listening system. Receivers with head-sets and/or neck-loops are available at the Patron Services Desk. Open Captioning: During these events, an experienced captioner scrolls up to three lines of text onto a LED display (located at Orchestra Left) in sync with the performance. Scheduled for the first Thursday evening performances of Broadway shows. Sign Language Interpretation: Available for the first Sunday matinee Broadway performances when requested a minimum of four weeks in advance. INFORMATION FOR PATRONS AND VISITORS WHO ARE BLIND OR HAVE LOW VISION: Audio Description: An FM receiver and headset provide access to program notes and descriptive narration of the visual elements of a performance. Available for some Sunday matinee Broadway performances when requested a minimum of four weeks in advance. Call (517) 884-3119 for more information on the above services or to inquire about additional patron services at Wharton Center. www.whartoncenter.com

FOR PERFORMING ARTS MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY

750 EAST SHAW LANE EAST LANSING, MI 48824-1318

For more information, log on to whartoncenter.com or call 1-800-WHARTON

SUBSCRIBE TODAY &

SAVE UP TO 30%!

Cover Photo Credits: Front (top to bottom): Cast of the Something Rotten! National Tour. © Jeremy Daniel • Sara Esty and Garen Scribner in An American in Paris. Photo by Matthew Murphy. • Yamato – The Drummers of Japan Photo by Masa Ogawa. Back (top to bottom): Disney’s The Lion King • Maceo Parker Photo by Ines Kaiser.