Sunday, January 18, 2015

The Wharton Center Surely Gets a Five-Star Review from Me!

Michigan State University Wharton Center for Performing Arts

Earlier today, we went to the Michigan State University Wharton Center for Performing Arts to see a Broadway show. It is not the first time we've been to the Wharton Center, and each time we visit, I think how nice it is as a facility.

Getting artsy outside of the Wharton. :)

As a Michigan State graduate myself, I am proud of what the institution brings to the community. They provide more programs for the good of others than I could possibly cover in one space, including Seats 4 Kids, a scholarship fund that provides tickets to children otherwise unable to attain them. Cool, right?

As a resident of the state, I love it even more. The center opened in 1982, and is Michigan's largest performing arts venue with four unique stages, all that host many sold-out shows and productions. They are the leading presenting venue among Big 10 institutions (Go State!), having the largest programming schedule of any independent performing arts center (over 100 performances a season!) affiliated with a university in the country.


Everywhere you look you'll see something that indicates
you're in a place that fosters creativity (and that's a great thing!).

The Wharton Center is also recognized internationally for their world premier commissions, "The Center is fortunate to hire artists to create new works in jazz, dance, and classical music that make a world debut at Wharton Center."

I'm not surprised...everywhere you look, both inside and outside of the center you get a feel for their love of the performing arts, and creativity. It is truly and environment where one could easily thrive.

The parking garage is attached to the building...so nice/convenient in the city!
There is also ample seating inside and outside of the venue.

In addition to the venue offering so so sooooo many great performances (seriously, just take a glance at their upcoming events and you'll see what I mean), they have also thoughtfully designed the building. Right from the get-go they offer the convenience of a huge parking garage on the property, with ample seating right next to it. I love the outside seating options, and can't remember seeing that at any other venue.

Looking up to the second floor...where people are also looking down. :)

The inside was just huge, but still well-designed and welcoming. It was hard for me to take pictures in the lobby because the show we went to (The Blue Man Group, which incidentally, was really fun!) was packed...and even arriving early there were people everywhere. Still and the same, while getting pictures (without people in them) was a little tough, it didn't feel uncomfortably crowded in any way.

The venue offered a lot seating and showcased art was along this (very long) wall.
It made visiting before and/or after the show a breeze!

The extra large lobby space allowed for a showcasing of art, and afforded many opportunities for patrons to sit down and visit as well. The couch pictured above was one of many running alongside an entire (very long) wall.

Just a sampling of advertising that was on display.
Do you see Fly Guy?!?!?! Oh yes, I was excited to see that Fly Guy is coming...
that was the very first book my son read on his own, so he's an absolute favorite. :)

There were advertisement posters both inside and outside of the building. These (pictured above) were inside, just as we came through the door. There are a lot of upcoming performances that we would love to see including the Moscow City Ballet's Swan Lake, Harry Connick, Jr., and the 2 Cellos (they play rock music on their Cellos!), but I have to say I was super excited to see Fly Guy is coming too. One of the books from the Fly Guy author was the first my son read on his own, so the whole collection of stories now has a soft spot in our hearts (and on the bookshelf in my son's room).

Swan Lake! I Love Lucy! and some new shows I haven't heard of too...
Oh yes, there is a lot to see, do, and look forward to at The Wharton.

I haven't checked availability, but if there are tickets available, I think we might end up buying I Love Lucy! tickets for my in-laws anniversary gift. That's a show they both love, and it'd be a nice way to treat them. They've been married 50+ years, so we do like to spoil them a bit when their anniversary rolls around. That, and the other shows I've mentioned are just a sampling of shows offered at Wharton Center. Take one quick look, and it's easy to see that they really do have something for everyone, no matter the age!

There was a four-star statue in place on the way out of the venue.
Though I like the statue, I think they should have added one more...
The Wharton definitely gets a 5-star review from me & the fam.

What's not to love about an establishment that offers so much to so many, in a multitude of ways that begs to be explored? Whether you are looking to watch a performance, or put on a show of your own, I encourage you to check out the Michigan State Wharton Center for Performing Arts in East Lansing, Michigan. The venue gets 5 out of 5 stars from me and my family, and we honestly can't wait to go back.

You can learn more about Wharton Center by visiting their website. You can also follow them on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and/or Pinterest.

106 comments:

  1. Wow so much to see and such creativity, I love that they hire artists to create new works in jazz, dance, and classical music, very cool!

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  2. I have to say that's a very beautiful center. Not only that but it sounds like it would be fun to visit frequently if in the area.

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  3. My family lives in Michigan. This would be a fun getaway while visiting them. We will check it out!

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  4. I didn't visit my performing arts center much as an undergrad. I lived across the way from a really nice venue too! I think it's a wonderful thing to immerse in the arts, and performance is definitely one of my favorite art forms. There's something magical about the human body and being vulnerable on stage. Thank you for the review. It looks lovely, and I think it's a great gesture to the community to have programs and work with scholarship funds. Excellent!

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  5. Sounds like a great center with a lot to see a do. I like the quirky art on the walls and the star sculpture.

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  6. Beautiful narration and lovely pictures. I have couple of friends completing their studies in University of Michigan and I had heard of the Wharton Center for Performing Arts from them. Nice to read about it.

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  7. What a absolutely beautiful place to get to visit! I love to watch performing arts and we do visit Michigan every year so maybe this year we need to check out something new! Looks awesome!

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  8. I have never even been to Michigan, but if I ever do and want to see a show., I will check it out.

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  9. nice....sounds and looks like a really cool place....we went to Broadway here we come the other day.....its snippets of shows strung together.....done by kids 12-18

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  10. How nice!! I have been to Michigan, but it is a big place and I never got to The Wharton Center. We may be driving up that way not this coming summer, but next summer.

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  11. I have yet to go to Michigan but that place looks like one to stop at! Loving all the sculptures outside the building, especially the first one with the group of people. Very cool! :)

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  12. Sounds like one huge place and one will never get bored there. Keeping imagination a float there

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  13. That place is gorgeous. I love all of the art.

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  14. What a fantastic venue! I can see why you'd rate it at the top.

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  15. I have went to the Wharton Center since I was 10 and saw Annie as a kid. We are usually in a hurry and don't see all the things you pointed out. There is a great shop inside that is open during performances with lots of interesting items too.

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    1. We saw that shop yesterday, and you're right, there are some excellent items for sale inside!

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  16. This looks like a really nice center. I love all the art work. It would be neat to walk around and look at everything.

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  17. Looks like the upgrade were perfect for a cultural center. I can see many years of great events being held here.

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  18. This looks really cool! I'll have to check it out. I live in Chicagoland, so it's not a terrible drive for me.

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  19. Wow!!! This center looks awesome!!!! Big plus about the parking! Its a pain when parking is so a far away!

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  20. Oh I would love to see I Love Lucy! sounds like a great show. What a great center!

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  21. This looks like a beautiful place to visit! I love when the building makes the experience so much better than just the performance itself.

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  22. I haven't been there before but it looks like they have a lot of great stuff to look at.

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  23. Looks like an amazing place! I'm thankful for art-promoters in our communities!

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  24. I've never even been to Michigan but I'd love to visit this center. It looks nice.

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  25. You know we'd love it there! I've been to Michigan only once. I went with a friend in grad school.

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  26. I love the Seats 4 Kids idea. Amazing! It's so important to provide arts to our young people!

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  27. That does look like a really fun place to visit. Very interesting, too. I think my daughter would like it.

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  28. Looks amazing and thanks for the description and the pictures made me feel like was walking with you down the beautiful hall. Never been to the states but if my job permits might do

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  29. Wow, it does sound really nice. I'd love to see a broadway show.

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  30. I love that they have the program to provide tickets for kids who otherwise wouldn't get to go. It sounds like a great arts center.

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  31. Wow, I had no clue they offered so much. Thanks so much for sharing :)

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  32. Wow that place looks amazing! I always mean to get out and see things like this but then I just get busy. I need to remember to actually DO it.

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  33. That looks like a great center, I'm bookmarking for a future visit for sure - the events are awesome!

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  34. Wow what an amazing looking centre - it looks like they have some amazing features. x

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  35. It's just beautiful, and it sounds like they've got a lot of great things going on. I love that there are opportunities for children to see live theatre.

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  36. I've never been there. It sure does look like a good time though!

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  37. I've never been to Michigan but if I do find myself there I'll have to check this out.I checked their event schedule and it looks like they have some very interesting things going there.

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  38. wow what an amazing place to visit. I love art museum there is so much to see and imagine there.

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  39. What a beautiful venue. I love all the artwork!

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  40. That looks like a great place to see shows and you can tell that they love the arts there! I would certainly go see two cellos. Blue Man group is on our list to see as well.

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  41. What a fun place to visit with the family! Love the pictures!

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  42. I would love to have a place like the Wharton Center to see a Broadway show where I live.

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    1. Believe it or not, Michigan has quite a few theater/centers that have Broadway style productions. It's one of the things that keep the economy/state going.

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  43. I bet there are great performances there! Love the art presentations

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  44. You are so fortunate to have such a fabulous venue! It would be nice if every major city had access to Broadway shows.

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  45. I just met up with a blogger today who just got her PhD at Michigan State. We definitely want to visit at some pointt. :)

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  46. LOVE all the art around there!!!
    I wish we had more things like this CLOSER to us...

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  47. It is lovely!
    I love seeing art displayed and wondering and learning about the artists.
    I'd spend such a long time wanting to see everything!

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  48. I remember you highlighting this before and I just loved the art that they had. Those statues are beautiful and I would love to visit there one day myself.

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  49. Sounds like a wonderful centre! It looks very lovely, and like a great place to check out! I love places like that with art all displayed, very nice!

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  50. I'll bet it looks quite different since I was there last. I saw a lot of great shows there myself!

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  51. That place is just huge. I have never seen it in person - but I would like to.

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  52. Looks like a great day full of culture. I would love to go hang out there with the kids for a day

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  53. I've been to Michigan State University before but never got a chance to visit the Wharton Center before. I'll have to stop by the next I'm up that way and give it a peek.

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  54. I am just across the boarder. I will have to check it out on our next visit.

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  55. I'd like to go there in person some day. I can see you trying to rush to get photos without people in them. I do that all the time too lol.

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  56. Your review has really gotten me curious. I can see how it would be a great destination in itself even if not attending a performance

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  57. Looks like a beautiful center! I love how they are show casing all the art, so sweet.

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  58. wow sounds like they offer quite a bit! I can see why you give them a 5!

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  59. I would love to go and see all the great artwork around the center. Looks like a great place.

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  60. It looks so unique. I would love to visit this place one days. Amber N

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  61. I love when I find great places like this that I can go back time and time again. We have some arts centers near where I live, and I love going there with the family. If ever in your neck of the woods, I'll be sure to visit there!

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  62. Wow this looks amazing, I love how much fun it is for the whole family! It looks spacious and lots to see! Thanks for sharing!

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  63. This is right up my alley. I love art and anything creative.

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  64. I've never been here. However, you post makes me want to go and visit!

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  65. I like the little statues and the art work inside. Looks very lovely.

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  66. This looks like such a creative place! How nice and inviting.

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  67. Wow nice place, I love the statues outside! Always nice to see some art added to an area

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  68. Recognized internationally .... wow! It looks very impressive from your photos too.

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  69. What a fun place to visit. I love the curved side of the building. That is so cool!

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  70. Wow. I would love to visit! So cool!

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  71. Love the art and statues! Great visit

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  72. I love to visit universities there is always so much to see. I have never been to Michigan looks like a nice university.

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  73. It certainly sounds like a gorgeous space. We had a fab one at our school too!

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  74. I've been doing college tours with my daughter. I think Michigan was on her short list too!

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  75. This place is reeking of fun and creativity! Thanks for sharing the awesome photos!

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  76. Wow. How cool is that! I would love to visit!
    Happy Tuesday, dear Rosey!

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  77. Wow seems like a really wonderful place - no wonder you get to give it a 5/5! <3

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  78. Looks like a great place--we have a few small Theaters near us but nothing so nice-- A LOT of great shows coming up-I bet THe Blue Man Group was tons of FUN!!!

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  79. The pictures look like so much fun, I will definitely have to add this to my list of places to visit.

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  80. I love the pictures. The building is amazing.

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  81. Universities do have the best preforming arts venues! I went to State Univ of NY at Purchase and they also have what you are describing but definitely not as large and the parking is far away! If I am ever in Michigan I would love to visit this campus.

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  82. This looks like a fantastic center. The decor is so inviting and it looksvery comfortable.

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  83. I have never been to the Wharton center but I have been to MSU. I have a few cousins who are alum and I was almost a student there myself. MSU has a gorgeous campus.

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  84. This looks like such a neat place with so much creativity inside! I know my kids would love to visit!

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  85. Universities really do have great venues. I wish I attended more as a student. Live and learn I guess.

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  86. It seems that the people in charge of this space recognize that aesthetics are important at performances and on the way in to see the performances.

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  87. Yes, I went to Michigan once, oh that seems so long ago. I was checking out the law school I think. What a wonderful resource this Wharton Center is.

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  88. I love the architecture of this building! Looks like a great place to adventure at!

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  89. It just looks like a beautiful place. I would be happy to visit this!

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  90. I have never been but it looks like a great place to visit! I love the artwork!

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  91. That looks like an absolutely gorgeous venue and I love the Seats4Kids program- that's incredibly necessary. It's nice that they bring culture and the arts to the masses, regardless of income level.

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  92. Awesome! I would love to visit and see a show there....I Love Lucy would be a great one!!

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  93. What a fantastic school-based performing arts center! Four stages - I'm astounded. It's awesome how many opportunities it can accommodate for students and visiting performers, for local residents to enjoy. I wish I lived near a center like that!

    xo,
    lauriel
    EyeForElegance.com

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  94. So much to see and do! I wish this was near me!

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  95. I love local arts, and so wonderful to support them!

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  96. I need to make a trip down to Michigan! Would be nice to visit the Wharton Center while there.

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  97. My kids loved the Fly Guy books too :) It looks like a great venue!

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  98. Looks like a great place to catch a show. I never really thought about checking out the theater at our local universities, but what a great idea.

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  99. So much awesome stuff to do. I love initiatives like this.

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  100. Sounds like a lot of fun. We have something similar here and love it!

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  101. It looks like a great place to visit and have a good time. I enjoyed all the sculpture and art pieces.

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  102. Wharton Center does sound amazing, and with over 100 performances a season, you'd be able to enjoy on a regular basis.

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