KALAMAZOO, MI -- You won’t have to drive to New York to see certain Broadway hits in the upcoming year.
Classic Broadway musicals like “The Lion King” and “Dear Evan Hansen” will be showing at Western Michigan University’s Miller Auditorium for its 2024-25 Broadway in West Michigan series.
“This season is a spectacular mix of magical experiences, beautiful performances, Kalamazoo premieres, and the return of one of our all-time favorite shows,” said Tracey Lawie, director of Miller Auditorium.
“Dear Evan Hansen” kicks off the series on Nov. 14 and 15. The show examines the complexity of social media-filled lives in high school from the perspective of young people and parents, according to the Miller Auditorium press release. The show has won six Tony awards.
Disney’s “The Lion King” follows, showing from Jan. 29 to Feb. 9, 2025.
“There is simply nothing else like Disney’s ‘The Lion King,’” according to the release. It’s “one of the most breathtaking and beloved productions ever to grace the stage.”
The show features “awe-inspiring visual artistry” and “unforgettable” music and has won six Tony awards.
“The Lion King” was last shown at Miller Auditorium in 2018.
“Hadestown,” an intertwined retelling of two Greek tales will show on April 1 and 2, 2025. The show won eight 2019 Tony Awards, including Best Musical and the 2020 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album.
“Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations” ends the lineup, showing from May 13 to May 15, 2025. The show chronicles the rise of legendary R&B group The Temptations, from the streets of Detroit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The show was nominated for 12 Tony Awards and won the 2019 Tony for Best Choreography, according to the press release.
Miller Auditorium will also be showing two specials: “Mannheim Steamroller Christmas” and the 30th Anniversary of “Riverdance.” Those will be one-off shows on Dec. 11, 2024, and April 29, 2025, respectively.
Ticket prices for the individuals shows are not yet available. Prices for the 2024-25 Broadway season package prices start at $169.
2024-25 Miller Auditorium Broadway schedule/Miller season specials
- DEAR EVAN HANSEN: Nov. 14–15, 2024
- DISNEY’S THE LION KING: Jan. 29-Feb. 9, 2025
- HADESTOWN: Apr. 1–2, 2025
- AIN’T TOO PROUD: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE TEMPTATIONS: May 13–15, 2025
- MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER CHRISTMAS: Dec. 11, 2024
- RIVERDANCE: April 29, 2025
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