A key part of both Wharton Center’s and the MSU Department of Theatre’s missions are focused on creative collaboration. This idea has sparked a new artistic endeavor called the ĭmáGen project. ĭmáGen partners the MSU Federal Credit Union Institute for Arts and Creativity at Wharton Center with the MSU College of Arts and Letters’ Department of Theatre and local high schools.
“It’s a revolutionary program for MSU and high school students,” said Kirk Domer, chair of the MSU Department of Theatre. “It will allow them to work with Broadway professionals who regularly visit Wharton Center, and it will attract the highest-quality students providing them exposure to the discipline, focus and creative strength needed to nurture and sustain a thriving performing arts career.”
"CHESS – A Staged Concert" is the inaugural ĭmáGen production. Jen Werner, the associate director of The Book of Mormon, has been hired to direct "CHESS – A Staged Concert," which will be performed at 7:30 p.m. March 27 and 28 in Wharton Center’s Pasant Theatre.
The story is about two great chess masters, one American and one Russian, who compete to be the best in the world. But their greatest contest is for the love of the same woman. This cult-rock musical explores love, loss and betrayal, and features the hit “One Night in Bangkok,” along with songs “Heaven Help My Heart,” “I Know Him So Well,” “Pity the Child” and “Nobody’s Side.”
Tickets are on sale at whartoncenter.com, at the Auto-Owners Insurance ticket office or by calling 1-800-WHARTON.