After a record-breaking season with 27 sold-out shows, repeat recognition as one of Pollstar’s Top 150 Theatres in the World, and performances from incredible artists across genres, The Grand Theater is proud to announce its 2019/20 Season!
As always, The Grand is bringing world-class Broadway to Central Wisconsin, however this season will feature the most Broadway to come to Wausau in recent history, with six touring Broadway productions for a combined eleven Tony Awards. The musical that defined a generation, RENT, comes to The Grand for the very first time, and after a sold-out show in 2017, Wausau-favorite JERSEY BOYS returns in January. Critically-acclaimed Cirque Dreams Holidaze will light up the holiday season in an acrobatic spectacular, and Tony Award winning BANDSTAND will make its Wisconsin debut at The Grand in January with its heartwarming, patriotic story and high-energy, heart-stopping choreography. The Broadway smash hit WAITRESS, featuring music by Grammy Award winning Sara Bareilles, will come to The Grand for two nights in March, and BEAUTIFUL – The Carole King Musical will tell the incredible story of King’s rise to fame in April.
The 2019/20 Season will also feature music legends from all genres. Classic rock legend Eddie Money comes to The Grand for the first time as the Rocket Industrial Season Opener on Saturday, October 5, and the top-selling instrumental musician of all time, Kenny G, returns after a sold out show later in October. Country and Americana music legends Ronnie Milsap and Rodney Crowell are also featured on the Season, and eight-time Grammy Award winning Art Garfunkel will finish out the season in May.
Some of the hottest touring acts on the road today will also grace The Grand’s stage this season. The unique “classical boom” of Black Violin returns in October, one of the most prolific stand-up comedians of our time, Brian Regan, comes in November. Steep Canyon Rangers, the genre-bending group shaping the bluegrass aesthetic, will make their Wausau debut, and ABBA Mania will celebrate the uplifting hits of the Swedish “supergroup” in January. Audiences will also be able to have a theater experience unlike any other with HYPROV: Improv Under Hypnosis, during which audience volunteers have the opportunity to be hypnotized by Asad Mecci and put on an improv show with Whose Line Is It Anyway’s Colin Mochrie!
The season features shows for audiences of all ages, including holiday shows like the Cirque Dreams Holidaze, and the community Christmas event, Deck the Halls with The OK Factor. World-class ballet returns to The Grand with the Russian National Ballet’s performance of the classic fairytale The Sleeping Beauty, and for the first time in a decade, The Grand will host a full symphony when the 80-musician Siberian State Symphony Orchestra performs in March. The Japanese Taiko drummers of Yamato will bring the ancient art to Wausau, and the UK’s preeminent acapella group, Semi-Toned, will also make their Wausau debut.
Season subscription packages start at just four shows and feature a discount of up to 15% depending on subscription level. Subscribers also receive priority seating, free ticket exchanges, and an invitation to exclusive events. For more information or to place your order today, stop in the Ticket Office, call at 715-842-0988, or click here to learn more online.
2019/20 Season Lineup
Eddie Money – Saturday, October 5
Classic rock legend Eddie Money opens the 2019/20 Season at The Grand! With more than 28 million records sold and a legendary career that spans decades, Eddie Money has long established himself as one of rock’s most beloved entertainers.
RENT – Tuesday, October 8
The musical that defined a generation, the 20th Anniversary Tour of Jonathan Larson’s RENT comes to The Grand for the first time ever. This reimagining of Puccini’s La Bohème follows an unforgettable year in the lives of seven artists struggling to follow their dreams without selling out.
Kenny G – Thursday, October 7
After a sold-out show in 2018, The Grand welcomes back Grammy Award winning saxophonist Kenny G! Kenny G’s iconic and unique sound — created by fusing elements of R&B, pop, and jazz – has made him the top-selling instrumental musician of all time.
Black Violin – Thursday, October 24
Black Violin makes their highly-anticipated return to The Grand with their amazing blend of classical, hip-hop, R&B, rock, and bluegrass music. The classically-trained string musicians make audiences feel like they’re at a rock concert with their distinctive “classical boom” sound.
Warren Miller 70th Annual Film – Thursday, November 14
The Grand kicks off the winter season with a screening of Warren Miller’s 70th Annual Film.
Brian Regan – Friday, November 15
With numerous stand-up specials, an incredible 28 appearances on The Late Show with David Letterman, and even his own Netflix series, Brian Regan is one of the most prolific comedians touring today.
Cirque Dreams Holidaze – Wednesday, November 20
Cirque Dreams Holidaze lights up the holiday season with a critically-acclaimed extravaganza that wraps a Broadway musical and cirque adventure into the ultimate gift for the entire family. Over 300 imaginative costumes, 20 world-class astonishing acts, the finest singers, original music, and seasonal favorites celebrate the holidays in this breathtaking spectacle.
Ronnie Milsap – Thursday, November 21
With six Grammy Awards, dozens of CMA and ACM awards, an astounding 40 #1 hits, and the very first country music video ever to be played on MTV, Ronnie Milsap is a true country legend.
Deck the Halls with The OK Factor – Wednesday, December 11
With their genre-bending sound that has been described as “pure magic,” The OK Factor returns to The Grand to celebrate the holiday season with their original folk-inspired compositions and inventive arrangements of holiday classics. With local high school orchestra students joining the duo onstage, the evening will truly be a magical holiday celebration for the whole community!
John Altenburgh Christmas Extravaganza – Friday, December 20
After more than a decade of sold-out shows, The John Altenburgh Christmas Extravaganza returns to The Grand! With an all-star lineup, it’s a night of the best of jazz, blues, and the holiday songs you know and love.
Steep Canyon Rangers – Thursday, January 9
Steep Canyon Rangers have spent nearly two decades bending and shaping the bluegrass aesthetic, implementing elements of pop, country, and folk rock to create something completely original, making them one of the most influential bands pickin’ and strummin’ on the road today.
JERSEY BOYS – Monday, January 13
Go behind the music and inside the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons in the Tony Award winning true-life musical phenomenon, JERSEY BOYS. From the streets of New Jersey to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, this is the musical that’s “just too good to be true.”
Femmes of Rock – Friday, January 17
Femmes of Rock brings an explosive, highenergy, and unforgettable rock concert – all performed on electric violins! The incredible musicians deliver the music of AC/DC, Queen, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Prince, David Bowie, Pink Floyd, and more, all reimagined for “hard rock” violins!
BANDSTAND – Tuesday, January 21
It’s 1945, and six soldiers return from war to a changed nation. When NBC announces a national competition to find the next great musical superstars, they form a band unlike any the nation has ever seen. This Tony winning Broadway musical follows the band as they discover the power of music to face the impossible, find their voice, and finally feel like they have a place to call home.
ABBA Mania – Friday, January 31
ABBA Mania has been selling out theaters and concert halls internationally for the past decade. The show has toured the world in its quest to bring the music of the Swedish ‘supergroup’ to their millions of fans, old and new!
Russian National Ballet: The Sleeping Beauty – Tuesday, February 11
Tchaikovsky’s The Sleeping Beauty is often considered the finest achievement of classical ballet. With a beautiful princess and dream prince, fairies both good and evil, breathtaking costumes, magical stage effects, and the world-renowned dancers of the Russian National Ballet, this classic fairytale is a sight to behold for ballet-lovers of all ages.
The Choir of Man – Tuesday, February 25
Known across the globe as “the ultimate feel-good show,” The Choir of Man offers up an evening of indisputable joy. The multi-talented cast of nine handsome blokes sings everything – pub tunes, folk, Broadway, classic rock – all with hair-raising harmonies, high-energy dance, and live percussion with foot-stomping choreography.
Colin Mochrie Presents HYPROV: Improv Under Hypnosis – Friday, February 28
Starring Whose Line Is It Anyway?’s Colin Mochrie and hypnotist Asad Mecci, hypnosis and improv come together as two masters of their crafts unite for a totally unique comedy experience. Audience volunteers are put under hyponisis, and then Colin Mochrie puts on an improv show with them!
Siberian State Symphony Orchestra – Sunday, March 8
For the first time in a decade, a world-renowned symphony comes to The Grand! Direct from Krasnoyarsk, Russia, the 80-musician Siberian State Symphony Orchestra will bring to life some of the finest Russian composers in this memorable performance.
Celtic Angels Ireland – Tuesday, March 10
Celebrate the St. Patrick’s Day season at The Grand with the Celtic Angels Ireland as they celebrate their cherished heritage through traditional musicianship, rigorous dance, and the stirring songs of Ireland.
WAITRESS – Friday and Saturday, March 13 and 14
The Broadway smash hit WAITRESS comes to The Grand for two nights! Brought to life by a groundbreaking, all-female creative team, this Tony Award nominated hit features original music and lyrics by seven-time Grammy Award nominee Sara Bareilles (“Love Song,” “Brave”) and original direction by Tony Award winner Diane Paulus (Pippin, Finding Neverland).
Yamato: The Drummers of Japan – Sunday, March 15
For over 25 years, Yamato’s acclaimed performances of Japanese Taiko drumming have captivated millions of people across the globe with their thunderous music, astounding athleticism, and infectious showmanship.
BEAUTIFUL – The Carol King Musical – Sunday, April 5
BEAUTIFUL – The Carole King Musical tells the Tony and Grammy Award winning story of King’s remarkable rise to stardom. Featuring a stunning array of beloved songs like “I Feel The Earth Move,” “One Fine Day,” “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” “You’ve Got A Friend” and the title song, BEAUTIFUL tells Carole King’s inspiring true story through the music you know and love.
Semi-Toned – Thursday, April 16
The UK’s preeminent acapella group, Semi-Toned brings their creative, unique, and astounding vocal acrobatics to The Grand. Audiences around the world have been wowed by their European folk versions of Gwen Stefani, unlikely mash-ups of Jay-Z and Game of Thrones, the Arctic Monkeys in 1920s style, and so much more.
The Fab Four – Tuesday, April 21
Featuring spot-on costumes from every era of The Beatles’ ever-changing career, authentic equipment to recreate their distinct sound, and even the right-handed actor playing Paul McCartney learning to play guitar lefthanded, The Fab Four’s attention to detail exceeds that of all other tributes.
Rodney Crowell – Thursday, April 23
One of history’s greatest singer-songwriters and two-time Grammy Award winner Rodney Crowell brings his country and Americana roots to The Grand in a night of beloved music and masterful storytelling.
Classic Albums Live: AC/DC’s Back In Black – Thursday, May 7
The talented musicians of Classic Albums Live will treat audiences to one of the most influential and best-selling hard rock albums in music history – featuring hits like “You Shook Me All Night Long,” “Hells Bells,” and, of course, “Back in Black.”
Art Garfunkel – Friday, May 22