‘Mean Girls,’ Air Supply, STOMP, music of Cher: Wausau’s Grand Theater unveils its 2023-24 season

The Grand Theater is seen on Nov. 17 in downtown Wausau.
The Grand Theater is seen on Nov. 17 in downtown Wausau.
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WAUSAU − The Grand Theater’s 2023-24 lineup includes a series of Broadway musicals, the Wisconsin premiere of a new musical about the life and music of pop superstar Cher, musical performers from all genres, some of the hottest touring acts on the road today and fun concerts for all ages.

The season features 33 shows between September and mid-May, the biggest lineup of shows in more than a decade, the Grand Theater said in a news release.

Here’s a look at the shows that will take center stage during the 2023-24 season and brief description provided by the performers and the Grand Theater.

September

Leonid & Friends − Sept. 12. These 12 musicians from Russia, Ukraine, Moldova and Belarus capture the spirit, musicality and fire of Chicago’s iconic hit songs.

October

Brian Regan − Oct. 4. With the perfect balance of sophisticated writing and physicality, TV and film actor and stand-up comedian Regan stars in three Netfix comedy specials including his own series "Stand Up and Away! with Brian Regan."

The Hit Men: The Ultimate Rock Concert − Oct. 6. These five musicians have played with legendary artists, including members of Foreigner, Cheap Trick, Billy Joel, Sting, Elton John, Journey and The Who. They’ll share first-hand experiences as eyewitnesses to rock history and perform classic hits you know and love.

Air Supply's Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock will perform Oct. 20 at The Grand Theater in Wausau as part of its 2023-24 season.
Air Supply's Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock will perform Oct. 20 at The Grand Theater in Wausau as part of its 2023-24 season.

Mania: The ABBA Tribute − Oct. 13. With an extraordinary cast of musicians and performers, Mania delivers an authentic tribute to the disco era of the 1970s and the legendary Swedish band with hits like “Dancing Queen,” “Mamma Mia” and “Take a Chance on Me."

Air Supply – Oct. 20. For more than 45 years, Russell Hitchcock’s soaring tenor voice and Graham Russell’s simple yet majestic songs have created timeless romantic anthems like “Making Love Out Of Nothing At All,” “Lost in Love” and “All Out of Love.”

When You Wish Upon a Star − Oct. 24. The house band of The National Jazz Museum in Harlem, along with two singers and storytellers, bring 100 years of iconic Disney songs to life through the lens of jazz.

November

#IMOMSOHARD – Nov. 5. #IMOMSOHARD began as a popular web series by real-life friends and comedians Kristin and Jen, who speak on camera openly about their fears and failures, laughter and friendship. In their smash-hit videos and standup comedy tours, Kristin and Jen riff on all things woman and mother.

Johnny Cash: The Official Concert Experience − Nov. 7. Using modern video and sound technology, Johnny Cash’s rich, iconic baritone has been lifted from archival concert footage and recordings, enabling the Man in Black to perform his biggest hits with a live band again.

Croce Plays Croce − Nov. 16. A.J. Croce performs a unique interpretation of his late father, Jim Croce's, iconic albums with a full band and visual presentation of his songs, including hits like “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown" and “Time In A Bottle."

Vienna Boys Choir: Christmas in Vienna − Nov. 18. The world-renowned Vienna Boys Choir returns to The Grand for the first time in almost a decade for a program of Austrian folk songs, classical masterpieces, popular songs and holiday favorites.

"Mean Girls" − Nov. 19-20. Direct from Broadway, this hilarious hit musical from book writer Tina Fey follows a naïve newbie who falls prey to a high school trio of frenemies.

December

Celtic Angels Christmas − Dec. 6. The performance pairs holiday favorites and traditional and contemporary Irish tunes with the world-class champion Irish dancing of the Celtic Knight Dancers.

Michael Cavanaugh: A Merry Rockin’ Christmas − Dec. 12. This high-energy holiday show combines modern Christmas songs like “Last Christmas” with classics like “Jingle Bell Rock” and “Winter Wonderland sprinkled with a few pop/rock hits.

John Altenburgh Christmas Extravaganza − Dec. 15. With decades of sold-out shows, John Altenburgh returns with a lineup of some of the finest musicians in the state performing jazz, blues, country and Christmas classics.

January

STOMP – Jan. 9. The percussion sensation returns to The Grand using everything but conventional percussion instruments − matchboxes, poles, brooms, hubcaps − to fill the stage with magnificent rhythms.

MJ Live: Michael Jackson Tribute Concert − Jan. 25. Relive the energy, spectacle and joy of this legendary superstar and his music, featuring Michael Jackson's biggest hits including “Bad,” “Billie Jean,” “Beat It" and “Black & White."

February

Come From Away − Feb. 7-8. This inspiring Broadway musical takes you into the heart of the true story of the small town in Newfoundland that opened their homes to 7,000 stranded travelers on 9/11.

Dallas String Quartet − Feb. 15. This inventive ensemble (violins, viola and bass, backed by drums and guitar) is where Bach meets Bon Jovi. A fusion of classical and pop music, Dallas String Quartet presents a performance inspired by the hit Netflix show "Bridgerton," with songs by Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, Shawn Mendes and more.

The Barricade Boys − Feb. 17. From the heart-wrenching emotion of "Les Misérables" to the toe-tapping harmonies of "Jersey Boys," this musical journey of Broadway songs also covers some of the greatest pop, rock, swing and Motown hits.

March

Ron Artis II & the Truth − March 1. Ron Artis II returns to Wausau with his band The Truth after a sold-out 10x10 show at The Grand to perform on the main stage. Artis has wowed audiences with his multi-instrumental prowess and musical range, from Delta blues and gospel to northern soul, high-energy funk and R&B.

"My Fair Lady" − March 5-6. From Lincoln Center Theater comes a new production of the beloved musical featuring classic songs such as “I Could Have Danced All Night,” “The Rain in Spain” and “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly."

The classic musical "My Fair Lady" comes to The Grand Theater stage in downtown Wausau March 5-6.
The classic musical "My Fair Lady" comes to The Grand Theater stage in downtown Wausau March 5-6.

The StepCrew − March 8. Accompanied by virtuosic musicians from the Celtic, traditional and rock genres, this show combines three styles of percussive dance with fresh musical arrangements.

Cirque Mechanics: Zephyr − March 10. Cirque Mechanics tells stories wrapped in acrobatics, mechanical wonders and a bit of clowning around. In this wind-inspired tale about the choices humans have made regarding our planet and its resources, audiences will witness the unrelenting tug of war between man and nature, in the name of progress.

Classic Albums Live: Rumours − March 22. Hear the eternal, emotionally resonate songs of Fleetwood Mac's iconic album "Rumours," including “Go Your Own Way,” “Dreams” and “Don’t Stop."

April

Trailblazing Women of Country − April 4. Singers Miko Marks and Kristina Train, supported by a five-member all-female band, pay tribute to the music and lives of country legends Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn and Dolly Parton.

One Vision of Queen featuring Marc Martel − April 5. This theatrical production rocks you from start to finish with the songs that Queen made famous.

iLuminate − April 7. Using props and performers appearing only with illuminated outlines, this family-friendly blend of music, dance, illusion, technology and comedy transports you into another world.

The Cher Show − April 13. Featuring 35 smash hits, the Wisconsin premiere of this Tony Award-winning musical of Cher's life story is packed with so much Cher that it takes three women to play her: the kid starting out, the glam pop star and the icon.

Evil Woman: The American ELO − April 19. With a list of instantly recognizable chart-topping hits like "Mr. Blue Sky," "Roll Over Beethoven" and "Evil Woman," this multimedia concert performed by Evil Woman's 12 musicians is a celebration of symphonic rock.

B2wins − April 23. These fun-loving twin brothers from Brazil perform one-of-a-kind renditions of songs you know and love on violin and ukulele, including everything from Frank Sinatra to Ed Sheeran, Louis Armstrong to Dua Lipa and Michael Jackson to Daft Punk.

Space Oddity: The Ultimate David Bowie Experience − April 26. Starring David Brighton and his band, this theatrically staged, elaborately costumed, multimedia spectacle will take audiences on a musical journey through the career of David Bowie.

May

Legendary Canadian band The Guess Who will perform May 5 at The Grand Theater in downtown Wausau.
Legendary Canadian band The Guess Who will perform May 5 at The Grand Theater in downtown Wausau.

The Guess Who − May 5. This legendary Canadian band is known for its chart-topping hits in the late 60s and early 70s, including “American Woman,” “These Eyes” and “No Time.” They will perform a mix of their early hits and current music.

The Texas Tenors − May 16. These classically trained, versatile performers bring a blend of country, classical, Broadway, and current pop music, all performed with humor and cowboy charm. They gained fame appearing on "America's Got Talent" in 2009, and return to The Grand by popular demand.

Tickets are available with season subscription orders (four or more shows) and open for single-show purchase on July 11. Call 715-842-0988, go to www.grandtheater.org or stop at the ticket office at 401 Fourth St. in downtown Wausau.

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Editor Jamie Rokus can be reached at jrokus@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter at @Jamie_Rokus.

This article originally appeared on Wausau Daily Herald: Wausau's Grand Theater unveils its 2023-24 season lineup