Wharton Center’s 2026-2027 Performing Arts Season invites audiences on an unforgettable journey featuring iconic stories and unforgettable voices. Subscription packages for Wharton Center’s 45th anniversary Performing Arts Season went on sale April 29.
“As we launch our 45th anniversary season, the 2026–2027 lineup reflects both where we’ve been and where we’re going," Wharton Center Executive Director Eric Olmscheid said. "We are proud to welcome artists from across the globe, celebrated performers with international acclaim alongside exciting emerging voices, each thoughtfully selected to bring the very best of the performing arts to East Lansing."
“We kick off our 2026–2027 season with one of Broadway’s brightest stars, Michigan native Sutton Foster, who will be joined by Michigan students participating in the state-wide showcase that bears her name,” Olmscheid said. “Season highlights include Endea Owens and The Cookout (Endea is an MSU alumna and 2022 Alumni Grand Award winner), Count Basie Orchestra with Carmen Bradford (an MSU Jazz Studies faculty member hired by Count Basie himself as featured vocalist), and 'What Do You Do With a Problem?' a new work as part of our Act One Family Series, co-commissioned by Wharton Center.”
“This season also marks a milestone with Dance Theatre of Harlem, the company that graced Wharton Center’s stage in the inaugural 1982 season, returning for our 45th anniversary,” Olmscheid said.
Patrons can choose five or more Performing Arts events to create their own season subscription package and unlock exclusive benefits, including subscriber-only discounts, priority seating, interest-free payment plans and more.
Subscribers can also add Broadway shows to their Performing Arts subscription. Wharton Center Broadway Series subscribers can also add Performing Arts events to their packages. Individual tickets will go on sale later this summer.
WHARTON CENTER’S 2026-27 VARIETY
Oct. 3: An Evening with Sutton Foster
Oct. 20: The Acting Company: A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Nov. 11: Manual Cinema’s The Fourth Witch
Nov. 19: Ana Gasteyer: Sugar & Booze
March 16, 2027: Yamato-The Drummers of Japan
May 6, 2027: Richard Thomas in Mark Twain Tonight!
2026-27 CLASSICAL
Dec. 8: Yo-Yo Ma & Emanuel Ax
Feb. 2, 2027: Berlin Philharmonic Brass
Feb. 21, 2027: Midori & Festival Strings Lucerne
March 18, 2027: Avi Avital & Ksenija Sidorova
2026-27 DANCE
Nov. 5: Ballets Jazz Montréal: Dance Me – Music by Leonard Cohen
Feb. 17, 2027: Dance Theatre of Harlem
March 2, 2027: Ballet Folklórico de México de Amalia Hernández
2026-27 JAZZ
Oct. 9: Endea Owens & The Cookout
Jan. 12, 2027: Count Basie Orchestra with Carmen Bradford
March 3, 2027: Emmet Cohen Trio
2026-27 CLUB 750
Jan. 6, 2027: Club 750 Music: Brittany Davis
Jan. 7, 2027: Club 750 Cabaret: Nicholas Rodriguez – Sincerely, Sondheim
Jan. 8, 2027: Club 750 Comedy: John Heffron
March 23, 2027: Club 750 Music: Layale Chaker & Maeve Gilchrist
March 24, 2027: Club 750 Cabaret: Caroline Bowman
March 25, 2027: Club 750 Comedy: Leah Rudick
2026-27 ACT ONE FAMILY SERIES
Nov. 15: What Do You Do With a Problem?
Feb. 13, 2027: Three Little Pigs and Other Tales*
May 1, 2027: The Boy Who Cried Wolf*
*Sensory-friendly performances available
2026-27 BROADWAY SEASON
Sept. 18–20: Beetlejuice
Oct. 27–Nov. 1: The Notebook
Dec. 1–6: SIX: The Musical
Jan. 19–24, 2027: Alicia Keys’ Hell’s Kitchen
Feb. 23–28, 2027: BOOP! The Musical
April 8–25, 2027: Disney’s The Lion King
June 22–27, 2027: The Outsiders
Aug. 25–Sept. 5, 2027: The Phantom of the Opera
