Wharton Center for Performing Arts

750 E Shaw Ln, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA

Address:	750 E Shaw Ln, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
Phone:	+1 517-432-2000
Site:	whartoncenter.com
Rating:	4.6

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 7

Aly Weatherford

I used to enjoy the Wharton Center growing up, despite a few unpleasant general experiences with a rude and unwelcoming atmosphere of Wharton staff. However, as a high school upperclassmen National Honor Society member, I recently volunteered as a ticket taker for a childrens ballet, (over a holiday weekend.) The supervisor was rude and gave vague instructions, and we were told not to leave the area outside of the auditorium or sit down for the 4 hour duration of the ballet. Because we were not allowed to have any personal belongings with us, including phones, wallets, and water bottles, I asked the concession workers for a cup to fill with water about half way through the ballet. They were chatting with each other and dismissively denied me. After the initial ticket taking at the start of the play, our job mainly consisted of opening/ closing doors, and standing there. We were to wait at the end of the play for the supervisor to come and tell us we could leave, (we signed up for 4 hours, but because we had to come early we had already been there for close to 5. We were given no instructions until about 30 minutes after we arrived.) When the supervisor finally arrived about 30 minutes after the ballet concluded, we were told to go check for missing objects in the theater, which was not originally part of our assignment. Even so, we scanned every row. After finding a few objects and turning them in, we went to the Wharton employee to check out. She told us that there was another object that a patron was looking for. We asked her what it is and where the patron was seated and she said she didnt know. After asking other supervisors/ employees they all said they did not know what the object was or where it had been lost. Despite the suspiciousness of this claim, we continued to search, some volunteers earnestly crawling across the discusting, candy, mud covered floor to find the object. Shortly after, a rumor surfaced that a supervisor hid her watch as a "joke." A friend of mine asked his supervisor if she had hid her watch, and she began laughing and said that she did. He asked her where, and she told us that it was in the middle, so it would take longer to find. She told us we werent allowed to tell anyone or look in the middle anymore, but directly after she said this, another volunteer found the watch. At this point, we had been there well over an hour extra, so that some naive college students could play childish games. I was disgusted, and regret wasting my limited free time volunteering for these terrible people. I do not reccomend anything that involves money going towards their salaries, because they get paid an awful lot for doing ABSOLUTELY NOTHING besides treat VOLUNTEERS like they are slaves. Next time, I will volunteer to help organizations that are ethical and important until the Wharton Center administration find staff that care about the work they do and the people they meet.

Nathan Simmons

First let me say that my wife and I enjoyed the show (Phantom of the Opera) and thought it was a decent experience. The acting. singing and set design was phenomenal. But we both came away a little underwhelmed. The audio overall was too quiet in my opinion. Also, sometimes, the dialogue was difficult to hear. I overheard people behind me saying they couldnt hear any dialogue at all and had no idea what was going on. The music would many times drown out the dialogue. That is surprising to me as I was expecting a large orchestra, or at least a basic one playing the music, but I dont think it was more than 10 people strong, which I was rather let down by. Overall I was pretty disappointed by the audio and music in general. It was my first time at Wharton and Im not sure it would be worth it again, especially when I paid nearly $100 per ticket for mediocre seats and pretty poor audio quality. Some of the best moments audio-wise came from the surround sound effect. But I also noticed that effect came from speakers haphazardly mounted on each pillar and are clearly a part of the traveling show, and not part of Wharton Centers normal equipment. I dont mean to be so negative, but I suppose I expected a 5 star experience from Wharton Center, having never been there before, but I would tell friends and family based on what I have seen that it is more like a 3 star venue, not really worth the high prices they charge. Their money would be better spent going to a higher quality venue in Chicago.

Terry B

Ive been to several musical shows and presentations here. The shows are always good, and the staff friendly. Its not really a nightmare getting in or out of the parking lot. The only reason I give it 3 stars is because of the seats. The seats are TINY, and crammed right next to one another. If your not sitting between two people you know, prepare to either A.) Become very friendly with your neighbor as you both lean your legs against one anothers or B.) Prepare to have leg cramps as you try with all your might to keep your legs to yourself (and arms, for that matter). Also, hope you didnt wear too bulky of a coat or bring anything too large in with you, as there is literally nowhere to put it.

Shelia Wright

We saw Wicked at the Wharton Center 11/19/16. I had read reviews about it getting warm in the theater and about long restroom lines. I found neither to be the case. There were plenty of restrooms for women, the 5 of us never even had to wait in line either before, after or during the performance. The temperature was not a problem at all, after we sat down it felt like there was air circulation and we never got warm at all. I though it odd that there was no center aisle, but that was also not a problem. The staff was friendly, the facility was clean and organized. Parking was great, such easy access to the theater. I will definitely attend another show at the Wharton Center.

A Private User

I cant believe no one has reviewed this place since 2006! Anyway, went last night to see The Phantom of the Opera with my wife and some friends. We sat WAY in the back, last row in fact (were poor). In general, everything went smoothly. Annexed parking was a quick in/out, interiors were super clean and spacious, bathrooms were fine, acoustics were impressive and the staff was very friendly and helpful. Only thing I would have liked is the gift shop to have items related to the play. Everything in their was just very random and basically something you could get on eBay for 70% less. I would definitely recommend attending an event here.

Stuart Knickerbocker

We saw "Anything Goes" Sunday October 21, 2012. The show was very good, no complaints. But the seats on row CC had been changed to smaller seats and we were so jammed together that there was no place for our arms. We were so uncomfortable we could hardly wait for the performance to end. As Wharton Center donors for several years we will be dropping our annual donation. I cant and wont sit through another production at the Wharton in that discomfort. Terribly disappointed, Mr & Mrs Stuart Knickerbocker

Kay Brown

I attended a Sunday afternoon performance of Matilda and was shocked children were screaming in the hall ways with no intervention by the attendants. Also the price of these tickets was crazy. $99 charge with all the fees of one student and one adult for an afternoon performance. It amazes me people are spending this type of money for these performances. Audio was horrible even for the student and we had to strain to hear the performers. This will be my last event at this venue. Crazy pricing.