Wharton Center shows off its new look

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Wharton Center patron Joyce Bichoff felt the spotlight shine on her as she walked across the stage in Cobb Great Hall, something she only had watched from her seat in the audience.

Bichoff, a Haslett resident, was among 1,800 community members who attended the Wharton Center’s open house Sunday showcasing the completed expansion and renovation projects, which began in May 2008.

“It’s a remarkable facility we have here in Lansing,” Bichoff said.

On Sunday, community members took self-guided tours through the Wharton Center. The $18.5 million renovation project added 24,000 square feet and renovated 9,000 existing square feet.

Some of the new additions include a new lobby, gift shop, box office area, multipurpose lounges for donors, dressing rooms, a backstage crew room and education programs, Wharton Center spokesman Kent Love said.

“We wanted to enhance patron experience,” Love said.

Love said he was pleased with the open house turnout of 1,800 visitors.

“We had an internal goal of 1,000 people,” Love said. “It was nearly double (that amount), which was wonderful. There was a steady flow of people.”

Throughout the afternoon, residents toured dressing rooms, administrative offices and walked across the stage.

Monroe resident Jean Hulett said she never thought she would have the ability to go backstage and see the behind the scenes theater aspect.

“I think it’s wonderful and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Hulett said.

The renovations will better accommodate touring productions, Love said.

“Some of the larger shows such as ‘Wicked’ and ‘Lion King’ have large productions and needed to have additional space,” he said.

When “The Lion King” performed at Wharton Center last spring, it had to use the Cobb Great Hall stage for additional storage, Love said.

“There aren’t really any current touring productions that are too large,” Love said. “These renovations are allowing us to accommodate large shows.”

The Ahn Trio will perform Thursday at Wharton Center’s Pasant Theatre. David Sedaris will perform Oct. 18 in Cobb Great Hall. Tickets for these events can be purchased at the Wharton Center Box Office.

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