Page 18 - LRCC June 2022 Focus

Wharton

Center

Celebrating 40 Years

of Performing Arts

hen the Wharton Center announced “I know when we bring in mega-hit Broadway shows like
its 2022-2023 season, it marked a Wicked and the Lion King, up to 42 percent of the tickets
special time in its history, as Wharton have been purchased from outside the tri-county area,”
has been bringing our community said Brand. “People are coming here specifically to see a
W together for 40 years. The world was a Broadway show and are also looking at doing other things.
different place when the Wharton Center opened in 1982, We do have an economic impact on the region.”
and we are all witnesses to how much has changed in
just the past two years. The arts’ vital role in our lives has IT STARTED WITH A VISION
remained — and perhaps become even more important.
Wharton Center’s story begins long before the Chicago
The Wharton Center will celebrate Symphony graced the Cobb Great Hall stage on opening
its 40th anniversary on Sept. 25. Over night, Sept. 25, 1982. Conversations began as early as the
the past four decades, Wharton has 1950s regarding a dedicated performing arts facility. But
been best known for its success at it wasn’t until Dr. Clifton R. Wharton Jr. arrived to serve as
luring the best Broadway shows and Michigan State University (MSU) president from 1970-1978
is recognized as Michigan’s largest that the dream began to take shape.
performing arts center. Wharton’s
upcoming season also marks the Ken Beachler was involved in
end of Mike Brand’s 18-year run as fundraising for the center and
Wharton’s executive director. It was ultimately became Wharton’s first
Brand
announced in late May that Eric executive director. Beachler noted
Olmscheid, director of programming and education a number of challenges in the early
at Des Moines Performing Arts, has been selected to stages of discussions of building a
succeed Brand. Olmscheid will begin his duties on June performing arts center including
22. Brand says Wharton’s history of bringing its diverse support for other fundraising
selection of arts has brought countless people to visit endeavors on campus, concerns
the region. Beachler about a site location which was

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