Wharton Center Announced 2023-24 Season

The house lights have dimmed and the curtain is rising on the 2023-2024 season at the Wharton Center for Performing Arts in East Lansing. Performance tickets are now available as part of a subscription package.

This season, cello icon Yo-Yo Ma, Grammy-winning pianist Emanuel Ax and violin wonder Leonidas Kavakos return by demand for an intimate all-Beethoven performance. Violinist Ray Chen makes his Wharton Center debut with a night of Bach and more; Step Afrika blends percussive dance styles with songs, storytelling and humor; David Sedaris brings his unique satire to the stage; and Cirque Dreams “Holidaze” will dazzle with a brilliant and whimsical family holiday spectacular.

The Wharton Center’s 2023–2024 season also includes sensory-friendly performances that provide supportive and welcoming environments for people with autism spectrum disorders and other sensory sensitivities. In addition, audiences will be able to engage in popular insight previews and after chats for many of this season’s performances.

The entire season can be found at whartonseason.com. Performing arts subscription sales consist of at least five events. Patrons receive priority seating ahead of the public, the best seats in the house, subscriber-only discounted rates, payment plan options and more. Individual tickets will go on sale later this summer.

The lineup for the 2023-2024 season includes:

Classical events

• Emanuel Ax, Leonidas Kavakos and Yo-Yo Ma: Jan. 31, 2024
• Ray Chen: March 16, 2024
• Detroit Symphony Orchestra: Mozart and the Seasons: May 2, 2024

Dance events

• World Ballet Series — “Cinderella:” Oct. 10, 2023
• Step Afrika: March 9, 2024

Theater events

• The Acting Company — “The Odyssey:” Oct. 28-29, 2023

Jazz events

• “When You Wish Upon A Star — A Disney Tribute:” Oct. 18, 2023
• Maria Schneider Orchestra: Feb. 23, 2024
• Catherine Russell: April 16, 2024

Club 750 events

• Gabriel Royal: Nov. 9, 2023
• Immanuel Wilkins Quartet: Dec. 8, 2023
• Martha Redbone Roots Project: Feb. 15, 2024
• PUBLIQuartet — “What Is American:” April 25, 2024

Variety events

• Mandy Gonzalez — “Fearless:” Sept. 20, 2023
• Dixie’s Tupperware Party: Oct 19-20, 2023
• David Sedaris: Oct. 24, 2023
• “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” with the Lansing Symphony Orchestra: Nov. 17, 2023
• The Hip Hop “Nutcracker:” Dec. 6, 2023
• Voctave — “The Spirit of the Season:” Dec. 12, 2023
• Cirque Dreams “Holidaze:” Dec 18-20, 2023
• Air Play: Jan 26, 2024
• Small Island Big Song: March 21, 2024

Act One family events

• Cat Kid Comic Club — The Musical: Oct. 14, 2023
• “The Boy Who Cried Wolf:” Feb. 24, 2024
• 123 Andrés: April 20, 2024

Sensory-friendly events

• Air Play: Jan. 27, 2024
• “The Boy Who Cried Wolf:” Feb 25, 2024