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 at 8 a.m. 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 alumnus and 2022 Alumni Grand Award winner), Count Basie Orchestra with Carmen Bradford (an MSU Jazz Studies faculty member hired by County 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