GLAMoms had the exciting opportunity to speak with Bob Hoffman, Public Relations Manager of Wharton Center. Bob shared about the fantastic upcoming ‘24/25 Broadway season that is coming to Wharton Center!
Bob shares some personal insight and gives a quick synopsis about each show . He also explains why he is particularly excited for this season and how Wharton Center has the Michigan premiere of TWO of the upcoming Broadway shows!
Welcome to GLAMoms, Bob!
Can you tell us why you are so excited about the upcoming season at Wharton Center-
Personally, I’m really excited about the season. I’ve been working for 23 years, and I’m not kidding when I say this. I’m most excited about this season because we have some of the best shows that we’ve had in Wharton Center history, as well as some new shows that I’ve seen on Broadway that are spectacular!
Les Misérables, October 8 -13, 2024
Les Misérables is one of my favorite shows ever. It’s been to the Wharton Center many times before, and it’s absolutely incredible and it’s probably one of our most requested shows, so I’m really looking forward to that.
This is so interesting too, because the first time that I ever saw it, I didn’t like it. But then the second time, I loved it, I’ve seen it probably seven times. It’s so good. It gets to your soul story,and it’s one of those where you get lost in it.And at the end, you’re just like you’re standing up and shouting and screaming and like, oh my God, it’s so good, crying because it’s so good!
We also have the Michigan premiere of Shucked and Life of Pie. Wharton Center is the only place to see these Broadway shows in Michigan for the ‘24/25 season!
Shucked, January 21 -26, 2025
It is hilarious. It’s one of those shows where I literally, when I heard about it, I thought, I’m probably not gonna like this, because a lot of comedy just doesn’t fall on me. It’s so funny, like, laugh out loud, funny. I was crying, I was laughing so hard. It’s cute and it’s a fun love story that’s light hearted. And it’s one of those shows that I think it just makes you just feel good and just loosen up a little bit.
Shucked takes place in the fictional rule town of Cobb County, which is surrounded by a thick wall of corn that sustains the town’s livelihood. But suddenly, the corn just starts disappearing. It begins to die.It’s up to farm girl, Maisy,to venture out to a big city, Tampa, Florida, which is hilarious in itself, to get help there. She meets a corn doctor named Gordy, who might not be all he seems to be.
MJ The Musical, February 11-16, 2025
I saw it in New York. And absolutely loved it. He’s so talented, and that show is just awesome!
And it goes into the genius of Michael Jackson, who was the king of pop in It centers on the time of the creation of his Dangerous World Tour in 1992.The show explores Jackson’s creative drive, his signature moves, and his childhood stardom, all while featuring more than 25 of his biggest hits.
Life of Pi, March 11-16, 2025
This is a play and I love plays, and I think that’s probably why I was so attracted to it in the first place. Wharton Center get a lot of musicals, but we don’t get a lot of plays. So this was one, and I just loved it. And I love how they make this come alive on stage, like you feel like you are in the Pacific Ocean with these characters.They use puppets, but the puppets seem to come alive! It was one of those shows, when it ended, I really didn’t want it to end!
After a cargo ship sinks in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, a 16 year old boy named Pi, is stranded on a lifeboat with four other survivors, a hyena, a zebra and orangutan , and a 450 pound Royal Bengal tiger. But of course, time is against them, because nature is harsh. Who’s gonna survive? This is so full of action!
Chicago, April 8-13 2025
Chicago returns to Wharton Center, as the longest running musical in New York!
It’s set in the Roaring Twenties, aspiring chorus girl Roxie Hart and fading vaudeville star Velma Kelly each face trial for murder. Both as cynical as they are sexy, the two women compete for the services of shady lawyer Billy Flynn, who promises to make them media celebrities and win them acquittals. With its killer score and all-new knock-’em-dead dance numbers, this deliciously lurid tale of adultery, murder and justice as showbiz packs some serious heat!
Hamilton, May 27- June 1, 2025
I am looking forward to that again, Hamilton is such a big sell out. I think Hamilton really introduced a new audience and every time I see it, I see a nuance that’s different from the first time I saw it. I really love that.
Hamilton is the story of the unlikely Founding Father determined to make his mark on the new nation as hungry and ambitious as he is. From bastard orphan to Washington’s right-hand man, rebel to war hero, a loving husband caught in the country’s first sex scandal, to the Treasury head who made an untrusting world believe in the American economy. George Washington,
Eliza Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson and Hamilton’s lifelong friend/foil Aaron Burr all make their mark in this astonishing new musical exploration of a political mastermind. The show is sung and rapped from the moment the show starts to the closing bows.
Book of Mormon, June 19 – 22, 2025
It is really good. It’s funny, cute, and sweet. There’s a good message in there. So I love that!
It follows two young missionaries who are sent to Uganda to try to convert citizens to the more Mormon religion.
Do you have a favorite night that you like to go to when a show is here?
I always go to opening night because I typically have to work for the media table. I want to see the excitement, so that is my favorite time to go!
What packages are currently available to subscribers?
Five show package for the Broadway series consists of at least one ticket to the following five performances-Les Misérables, Shucked, MJ, Life of Pi and Chicago. Those packages start at $225 for a five show pack. You can add onto that a Book of Mormon and Hamilton as well.
What are some of the benefits of being a subscriber?
You get the best seats because season ticket holders have first choice of the seats before they go on sale to the general public. And you get the lowest prices of the season, you get flexibility because you can add tickets on to your existing package or exchange tickets when needed.
We also have payment plans that are available, and we have local discounts to businesses and restaurants if you become a subscriber.
So, that’s our Broadway season and I just think it’s spectacular. I’m really excited about it! And what I love about it is that I think there’s something for everyone. I think moms and parents alike will love this season!
Thank you so much for speaking to us, Bob! It was great to hear about the shows from your perspective and get an inside look at what is coming this Fall. What an incredible lineup!! Five show packages are now available, click HERE for more info!
Photos from Wharton Center Media
