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Wharton Center announces 2007-08 season

EAST LANSING – Wharton Center for Performing Arts is pleased to announce its 2007-2008 25th anniversary season. Although much has changed since the opening night concert on September 25, 1982 when the Chicago Symphony Orchestra joined soprano Birgit Nilsson to honor the Center's grand opening, the guiding dream of a world-class performing arts center remains true.
In the two and a half decades since its opening, Wharton Center has established a name for itself in the entertainment industry, presenting Broadway blockbusters like "The Phantom of the Opera," "Disney's THE LION KING" and this past season "Wicked," as well as world-renowned orchestras, dance companies, jazz ensembles and world premiere commissions! All of these phenomenal performances position Wharton Center as a leading venue for performing arts and the state's central hub for culture and creativity.
"Wharton Center is proud to offer an outstanding line-up of arts entertainment for the residents of Michigan," says Mike Brand, executive director. "Over the past 25 years, Wharton Center has become a leading resource for renowned arts entertainment and education programs, and we strive to enrich the lives of Michigan residents and strengthen the value of the arts in everyday life with programs showcasing all performing arts disciplines and a diversity of cultures."
This season the MSU Federal Credit Union Broadway at Wharton Center line-up includes five Wharton Center premieres: "Disney's High School Musical," "Lerner & Loewe's Camelot" starring Michael York, "Monty Python's Spamalot," "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee," "Avenue Q" and a Special Event, "Riverdance."
Throughout the season there will be several signature events acknowledging Wharton Center's role as a premiere cultural asset for the state of Michigan. These include the return of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra under the direction of David Robertson with special guest Branford Marsalis, a Wharton Center and MSU College of Music World Premiere Commission honoring Dr. Clifton and Dolores Wharton, Michigan Opera Theatre performing "La Traviata," Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, Dianne Reeves with special guest Rodney Whitaker, and the return of Mandy Patinkin.
Wharton Center continues to focus on diversity in programming with a multitude of performances originating from around the globe. Audiences will experience everything from Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, a disciple of Ravi Shankar, to Anuna who rose to popularity as the voices of "Riverdance."
The 25th Anniversary season also includes the TIAA-CREF World View Lecture Series bringing contemporary world leaders and thinkers to mid-Michigan including master storyteller and author Rachel Naomi Remen, scientist Edward O. Wilson, radio host and producer Ira Glass, and actor Richard Dreyfuss.
Wharton Center subscribers can submit their order forms immediately. For those wishing to become season subscribers, log on to http://hartoncenter.comand download a season brochure and order form or call the Wharton Center Box Office at 517-432-2000 or 1-800-WHARTON to have one mailed to you. Wharton Center subscribers receive a discount on most shows and priority seating before the general public.
Several season packages are available. To become a MSU Federal Credit Union Broadway at Wharton Center subscriber you must purchase all five Broadway selections. In addition, you may also choose to add "Riverdance," this season's special event, to your series order. Subscriber orders are processed according to our priority system, which is based on years of subscription and/or donation level. Purchase all five shows and receive a 10% discount on "Camelot," "Spelling Bee," and "Avenue Q."
To become a Michigan Radio Wildcard Series subscriber you must order at least five shows from the Michigan Radio Wildcard selection. If you purchase five shows you will receive a 10% discount. Purchase seven or more events and you qualify for a 15% discount. If you purchase more then 10 events you will receive a 20% discount.
To become a Wharton Center Designer Series subscriber you must purchase at least one ticket to any five Broadway, Wildcard, or Special Events. Patrons retain their priority seating status and subscription history but no discounts apply.
To become a Trio Club member, order any three shows from the MSU Federal Credit Union Broadway at Wharton Center Series or Michigan Radio Wildcard Series. There are no discounts on Trio Club orders. Act One Family Series and Jazz Kats performances may not be ordered as part of your Trio Club members.
Individual tickets (non-subscribers; non-group) to most shows, with the notable exception of some Broadway, will go on sale in August 2007. Broadway shows will typically go on sale six to eight weeks before the performance's opening night.
The following is categorical listing of Wharton Center's 25th Anniversary season:

MSU Federal Credit Union BROADWAY AT WHARTON CENTER:

Disney's High School Musical: Oct. 2_7, 2007
Lerner & Loewe's Camelot: Oct. 30 _ Nov. 4, 2007
Monty Python's Spamalot: Dec. 4 _ 9, 2007
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee: Jan. 8 _ 13, 2008
Avenue Q: April 15 _ 20, 2008

SPECIAL EVENT:

Riverdance: April 4 _ 6, 2008

Farm Bureau Insurance CLASSICS:

Chicago Symphony Orchestra: Sunday, Oct. 14, 2007
Brian Bedford (Stratford Festival): Thursday, Nov. 1, 2007
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra: Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2008
Miro Quartet: Thursday, Feb. 7, 2008
MSU Symphony Orchestra & Chorale: Saturday, April 26, 2008
Michigan Opera Theatre: La Traviata : Thursday, May 22, 2008

Farm Bureau Insurance DANCE:

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater: Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008
Tchaikovsky Ballet: Saturday, March 15, 2008

FAMILY:

A Year With Frog and Toad: Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2007
The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley: Tuesday, April 22, 2008

MSU Federal Credit Union JAZZ AT WHARTON CENTER:

The Chicago Jazz Ensemble with Jon Faddis: Friday, Oct. 26, 2007
Hot Club of San Francisco: Silent Surrealism: Friday, January 25, 2008
Dianne Reeves with special guest Rodney Whitaker: Saturday, Feb. 9, 2008
San Francisco Jazz Collective: Wednesday, March 12, 2008

VARIETY:

The Rat Pack Returns: Friday, Sept. 21, 2007
Mandy Patinkin: Saturday, Sept. 29, 2007
Cirque Dreams: Sunday, Oct. 28, 2007
Gales of November: Thursday, Nov. 15, 2007
Sweet Honey In The Rock: Friday, Nov. 16, 2007
MSU's Home For The Holidays: Saturday, Dec. 1, 2007
Turtle Island String Quartet with Leo Kottke: Saturday, Dec. 8, 2007
Five By Design in Stay Tuned: Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008
The Blind Boys of Alabama: Friday, Feb. 15, 2008
Cherryholmes: Tuesday, April 8, 2008

WORLD MUSIC:

Vishwa Mohan Bhatt: Sunday, Sept. 16, 2007
Planet Drum with Mickey Hart & Zakir Hussain: Saturday, Oct. 20, 2007
Anuna: Celtic Origins: Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2007
The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards: Friday, Feb. 1, 2008
African Children's Choir: Saturday, April 12, 2008

TIAA-CREF WORLDVIEW LECTURE SERIES:

Rachel Naomi Remen: Monday, Sept. 24, 2007
Edward O. Wilson: Monday, Oct. 22, 2007
Richard Dreyfuss: Monday, Feb. 4, 2008
Ira Glass: Saturday, March 29, 2008

JAZZ KATS – JAZZ FOR KIDS

Swingin', Stompin' & Rockin' I: Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008
Swingin', Stompin', & Rockin' II: Saturday, May 17, 2008

ACT ONE FAMILY SERIES:

Winnie The Pooh: Sunday, Oct. 28, 2007
Seussical: Sunday, Dec. 2, 2007
Fish Face: Sunday, March 9, 2008
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Day: Sunday, May 11, 2008

ACT ONE SPECIAL EVENT:

Tomas and the Library Lady: Friday, Oct. 19, 2007


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