Have been to the Wharton Center many times in my close to 20 years living in the area and it is always special. From concerts to broadway plays there simply is no better place to see a show than at Wharton. I love the mid-century modern feel of the place, the comfortable seating, and the unmatched sound from any seat in the house. The view, however, is not great from the very first row (you sit below the stage and look up at people's feet) or the last few rows of the balcony (where sometimes the upper portions of the stage are blocked). Other than that, this place is fantastic and a real jewel in East Lansing.
I am a regular of broadway shows at Wharton Center's Great Hall. It's the exact same road show as you would see in Chicago or Detroit but a fraction of the price. If you are in town and looking for entertainment I highly suggest seeing a show here.
The seats are probably 15 inches wide at the most (center to center). If you weigh over 150 pounds (or have a waistline over 32), you will feel cramped. A show over two hours long (no matter how good the performance is), will become tedious.The production my wife and I saw "Gershwin's Porgy and Bess" was very good. Sightlines, accoustics and quality of performers are excellent.I agree with the other reviewers about the stampede to the attached parking garage after the show. Be patient. You will be out of the slow traffic in ten to twenty minutes.
My daughters graduation was held here. It was clean, spacious, holds a lot of people and has MSU memorabilia threw out building.
We bought tickets to Alton Brown live way before the event date. We were presently surprised to be right in the front row. Up close and personal! Staff can be a bit odd, we had all the future Kindergarten teachers of america as our hosts. Can I just say I feel for the younger generation? "No photos please, and I have seen several" Yes ma'am! Concessions are gourmet, coat room is great, rest rooms easy to get to and the crowd in general is pretty amiable. Parking is attached to the building which makes it nice in winter! We've also been for a ukulele concert, acoustics are phenomenal. Really like the feel and size of the venue.
I've been there for 2 shows, 1 being Tony Bennett. He was awesome and so were the acoustics and ability to see him clearly. The parking is easy as is the exiting. All in all, a great place to see a show.
The Wharton Center is known for providing the Lansing and surrounding areas with amazing performances. This is the perfect date spot. We saw the I love Lucy Show. The staff was very accommodating from picking up the tickets at the box office, to finding seats. The show was sold out and they remained calm and professional. Thanks for another great visit :)
I have been going to the Wharton center for over 25 years and have enjoyed so many amazing Broadway musicals. It's a wonderful local venue for the arts to be enjoyed by people of all ages.
Seeing any professional theater performance is expensive, but we have always had positive experiences at the Wharton Center. If you use their concession stand, prices are high, but completely avoidable for a two hour show. It is difficult to get to the women's bathroom and back to your seat during the 20 minute intermission, but possible.
The Wharton Center is such an asset to Michigan State University and the entire Lansing area. The caliber of entertainment presented at the Wharton never ceases to amaze me. I have lived in the Lansing area since 1995 and have attended numerous performances at the Wharton every season. Parking is plentiful, reasonably priced and easy-access. And I always arrive early to purchase some chocolate chip cookies before they sell out!