BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana University Auditorium announces its 2024–2025 season schedule that features six Broadway hits, a play, award-winning musicians and performers, and more.

 

The 2024–2025 season is packed full of Broadway magic including one of most successful musicals of all time in Les Misérables to open the season, as well as Bloomington debuts of Dear Evan Hansen and Hadestown, as well as hit shows Ain’t Too Proud, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and the return of Come From Away. This year’s schedule will also feature a play based on the hit movie and Hasbro game with Clue.

 

IU Auditorium is also proud to present the renowned musicians of Jazz at Lincoln Center Presents with a performance of New Orleans Songbook, as well as Grammy-nominated musician Michael Feinstein in Because of You: My Tribute to Tony Bennett featuring the Carnegie Hall Ensemble. And of course, audience favorite and Bloomington traditions including Dennis James Hosts Halloween, Straight No Chaser, and Chimes of Christmas.

 

“It’s always exciting to announce a new season, and we look forward to presenting an amazing 2024–2025 schedule of events,” said IU Auditorium Executive Director Maria Talbert. “We have one of our strongest Broadway lineups in years that is packed with legendary productions, including three Bloomington debuts. We are also thrilled to present a variety of music, dance, magic, and beyond! We encourage patrons to pick five to subscribe to save up to 15 percent off single ticket prices for most shows. September can’t get here soon enough as we cannot wait to welcome audiences back to IU Auditorium for another wonderful year.”

 

Also in 2024–2025, IU Auditorium will present a diverse array of other can’t-miss performances for audiences to enjoy, including the world-renowned Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, an elegant performance by Dance Theatre of Harlem, the acclaimed Japanese Taiko drum group Kodo, and the thrilling and mind-bending illusions of Champions of Magic.

 

Purchasing Process in 2024–2025

Once again this season, IU Auditorium subscribers have the opportunity to select their own seats and save up to 15 percent off single ticket prices by picking five to subscribe. Loyalty Points members and new subscribers will be able to place their orders and select their seats before tickets go on sale to the general public. This process is explained online at IUauditorium.com/Subscribe and dates of when subscriptions and pre-orders go on sale are listed below.

 

Dates to Purchase Tickets

June 17–28

Loyalty Points Seat Selection

 

July 1

New Subscribers Seat Selection Begins

 

July 12

Les Misérables Single Tickets on Sale

 

August 5–18

Single Ticket Pre-Order Period

 

August 19

Single Tickets on Sale to the General Public

 

The IU Auditorium 2024–2025 season is presented with support from season partners Curry Auto Center, The Herald-Times, Upland Brewing Company, World Arts, Inc., the Cook Family of Companies, and B97.

 

2024–2025 IU Auditorium Season

 

Les Misérables

September 24–29, 2024

Tuesday–Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

Friday at 8 p.m.

Saturday at 2 & 8 p.m.

Sunday at 2 & 7:30 p.m.

 

Making its highly anticipated return to Bloomington, Cameron Mackintosh presents the acclaimed production of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg’s Tony Award-winning musical phenomenon, Les Misérables.

 

This brilliant staging has taken the world by storm and has been hailed as “Les Mis for the 21st Century” (Huffington Post), “a reborn dream of a production” (Daily Telegraph), and “one of the greatest musicals ever created” (Chicago Tribune).

 

Set against the backdrop of 19th century France, Les Misérables tells an enthralling story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice, and redemption—a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit. This epic and uplifting story has become one of the most celebrated musicals in theatrical history.

 

Dennis James Hosts Halloween

Thursday, October 17

7:30 p.m.

 

Bloomington’s favorite musical mastermind returns for his annual Halloween performance this year celebrating Edgar Allan Poe – in Silent Films and Radio Drama. Dennis James will provide the soundtrack on IU Auditorium’s 4,543 pipe organ for a pair of classic silent films and a live radio reenactment themed around Poe and his writings.

 

The evening will begin with a short film titled Edgar Allen Poe (the misspelling is purposeful) showing Poe was inspired to write his most famous poem, “The Raven,” as he desperately tries to sell it to support his sick wife. Then, back by popular demand, live actors including students from IU’s Department of Theatre, Drama, and Contemporary Dance will reenact another episode from the 1940s radio drama Inner Sanctum called “The Tell-Tale Heart.” The episode is a dramatization of Poe’s famous story of a man who could hear every sound on Earth, even things that did not exist.

 

The featured silent film that James will bring to life is titled The Avenging Conscience, a 1915 classic based on Poe’s “The Tell-Tale Heart” and his poem “Annabelle Lee.” Join us in costume as James celebrates one of America’s greatest writers in what has become an IU Auditorium tradition for over 50 years and counting!

 

Dr. Suess’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Saturday, November 2

2 and 7 p.m.

 

Rediscover the magic of Dr. Seuss’ classic holiday tale as it comes to life on stage. Featuring the hit songs “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch” and “Welcome Christmas,” watch as the Grinch discovers there’s more to Christmas than he bargained for in this heart-warming holiday classic.

 

Max the Dog narrates as the mean and scheming Grinch, whose heart is “two sizes too small,” decides to steal Christmas away from the Whos, an endlessly cheerful bunch bursting with holiday spirit. Kick off the holidays early with the show The New York Times calls “100 times better than any bedtime story!”

 

This touching musical breathes new life into the timeless story of the true meaning of Christmas.

 

Michael Feinstein in Because of You: My Tribute to Tony Bennett

Friday, November 8

8 p.m.

 

Grammy-nominated musician and singer Michael Feinstein, accompanied by the Carnegie Hall Ensemble, pays homage to the legendary Tony Bennett in his profound and unforgettable performance of Bennett’s greatest hits.

 

The performance will feature hits such as “Because of You,” “Rags to Riches,” “I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” “The Best is Yet to Come,” “I Get a Kick Out of You,” “Stranger in Paradise” and many more. Feinstein’s dynamic interpretations, coupled with the grandeur of the Carnegie Hall Ensemble, will create an unforgettable night that honors Bennett’s legacy in all its glory.

 

Feinstein’s close friendship with Bennett adds a profound layer to this tribute, as their camaraderie brings authenticity and depth to each note of the performance. Not only does Feinstein’s masterful interpretation of Bennett’s timeless repertoire pay homage to an era of classic songwriting, but it also preserves the rich cultural heritage that these songs represent.

 

Ain’t Too Proud

Tuesday & Wednesday, November 19 & 20

7:30 p.m.

 

Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations is the electrifying smash-hit Broadway musical that follows The Temptations’ extraordinary journey from the streets of Detroit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

 

Nominated for 12 Tony Awards and the winner of the 2019 Tony Award for Best Choreography, it’s a thrilling story of brotherhood, family, loyalty, and betrayal during a decade of civil unrest in America. Set to the beat of the group’s treasured hits, including “My Girl,” “Just My Imagination,” “Get Ready,” and “Papa Was a Rolling Stone,” Ain’t Too Proud tells the unforgettable story of the legendary quintet that Billboard Magazine named the greatest R&B group of all time.

 

Chimes of Christmas

Saturday, December 7

2 & 7:30 p.m.    

 

This season marks 75 years of tradition in contemporary vocal performance by the Singing Hoosiers, and what better way to celebrate than with the annual holiday tradition of Chimes of Christmas. To commemorate the occasion, the performance will feature music of Chimes’ past, present, and future including special guests and ensembles from the Jacobs School of Music.

 

The Singing Hoosiers, directed by Dr. Chris Albanese, have entertained audiences across the United States and in more than 25 countries spanning Asia, Australia, Europe, and the Caribbean.

 

Don’t miss out on Bloomington’s jolliest family-friendly event of the season! This commemorative concert is sure to brighten the holiday season for all.

 

Straight No Chaser

Tuesday, December 17

7:30 p.m.

 

The local legends return to where it all started as IU’s own a cappella sensation Straight No Chaser will take to the IU Auditorium stage as part of their nationwide Top Shelf Tour. In what promises to be another sensational performance, the evening will be packed with pop hits, holiday favorites, and plenty of laughs along the way.

 

After forming on IU’s campus, Straight No Chaser has emerged as a phenomenon with a massive fanbase and a long list of accomplishments including two RIAA Gold Certified albums, over 1.5 million concert tickets sold, over one billion streams on Pandora, and over two million albums sold worldwide.

 

This annual show has become one of Bloomington’s favorite traditions and it is always a special evening when the guys return to where it all began, right here at Indiana University.

 

Clue

Tuesday & Wednesday, January 21 & 22

7:30 p.m.

 

Murder and blackmail are on the menu when six mysterious guests assemble at Boddy Manor for a night they’ll never forget! Was it Mrs. Peacock in the study with the knife? Or was it Colonel Mustard in the library with the wrench? Based on the fan-favorite 1985 Paramount Pictures movie and inspired by the classic Hasbro board game, Clue, making its IU Auditorium debut, is the ultimate whodunit that will leave you dying of laughter and keep you guessing until the final twist.

 

Come From Away

Monday & Tuesday, January 27 & 28

7:30 p.m.

 

Back by overwhelming popular demand, Broadway’s Come From Away returns to the IU Auditorium stage this winter!

 

This New York Times Critics’ Pick takes you into the heart of the remarkable true story of 7,000 stranded passengers and the small town in Newfoundland that welcomed them. Cultures clashed and nerves ran high, but uneasiness turned into trust, music soared into the night, and gratitude grew into enduring friendships.

 

Don’t miss this breathtaking musical written by Tony nominees Irene Sankoff and David Hein, directed by Tony-winning Best Director Christopher Ashley and musical staging by Tony-nominee Kelly Devine. The tour is directed by Daniel Goldstein with musical staging by Richard J. Hinds, based on the original Broadway direction and choreography.

 

On 9/11, the world stopped. On 9/12, their stories moved us all.

 

Hadestown

Tuesday & Wednesday, February 4 & 5

7:30 p.m.

 

Welcome to Hadestown, where a song can change your fate. Winner of eight 2019 Tony Awards including Best Musical and the 2020 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album, this acclaimed new show from celebrated singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell and innovative director Rachel Chavkin (Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812) is a love story for today... and always.

 

Making its Bloomington debut, Hadestown intertwines two mythic tales—that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of King Hades and his wife Persephone—as it invites you on a hell-raising journey to the underworld and back. Mitchell’s beguiling melodies and Chavkin’s poetic imagination pit industry against nature, doubt against faith, and fear against love. Performed by a vibrant ensemble of actors, dancers and singers, Hadestown is a haunting and hopeful theatrical experience that grabs you and never lets go.

 

Kodo

Friday, February 21

8 p.m.

 

The acclaimed and ever popular Japanese taiko drum group, Kodo, is bringing its engaging rhythm to IU Auditorium this season! The group will perform its newest work, Warabe, as part of its 2025 North American Tour showcasing the ensemble’s continued exploration of new and old traditions from Sado Island.

 

The taiko is a traditional Japanese drum with limitless rhythmic possibilities and Kodo’s mission is to explore those possibilities, and in the process forge new directions for a vibrant living artform. In Japanese, the word “Kodo” holds a double meaning. It can be translated as “heartbeat,” the primal source of all rhythm, but it can also mean “drum” and “child.” This reflects Kodo’s desire to play the drums with the simple heart of a child. In Warabe, Kodo looks to its classic repertoire and aesthetics from the ensemble’s early days. This production blends simple forms of Taiko expression that celebrate the unique sound, resonance, and physicality synonymous with Kodo—forever children of the drum at heart.

 

Come experience the soul-stirring rhythm of life firsthand!

 

Dance Theatre of Harlem

Saturday, March 1

8 p.m.

 

Returning to the IU Auditorium stage for the first time in eight years, Dance Theatre of Harlem will join us during the last week of Black History Month for an elegant performance as well as a weeklong state-wide residency including stops at three IU campuses and special events in Indianapolis and Greensburg, Indiana.

 

A singular presence in the ballet world, Dance Theatre of Harlem tours nationally and internationally, presenting a powerful vision for ballet in the 21st century. The critically acclaimed company performs a forward-thinking repertoire that includes treasured classics, neoclassical works by George Balanchine and artistic director Robert Garland, as well as innovative contemporary works that use the language of ballet to celebrate Dance Theatre of Harlem’s founder Arthur Mitchell’s belief that ballet belongs to everyone.

 

Through performances, community engagement and arts education, the company carries forward Dance Theatre of Harlem’s message of empowerment through the arts for all.

 

Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra

Wednesday, March 12

8 p.m.

 

Internationally acclaimed and one of America’s finest, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (CSO) is making its triumphant return to the IU Auditorium stage for the first time in nearly 50 years. While in Bloomington, the orchestra will not only perform, but also lead an engaging three-day residency with students from the Jacobs School of Music.

 

Celebrating over 125 years of diverse work and talent, the Bloomington program will include Unsuk Chin’s subito con forza, Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3, and Copland’s Symphony No. 3. The performance will feature renowned pianist George Li with Matthias Pintscher conducting.

 

Rachmaninoff’s third piano concerto churns with uber-romantic melodies and Unsuk Chin’s music delights in contrasts. Copland’s last symphony, ringing with bells and brass, will conclude this magnificent evening. The finale builds on Fanfare for the Common Man—an enduring masterpiece written for and premiered by the CSO at their home, Music Hall—signaling the culmination and convergence of the composer’s entire career.

 

Jazz at Lincoln Center Presents: New Orleans Songbook

Wednesday, March 26

7:30 p.m.

 

Jazz at Lincoln Center (JALC) brings the soul of New Orleans and the spirit of Mardi Gras to this amazing evening, celebrating the composers and inspired songs of the Crescent City, the historic epicenter of jazz. From Jelly Roll Morton and Louis Armstrong to Ellis Marsalis and James Black, New Orleans has long been an apex of innovation and inspiration. With world-class musicians and infectious energy, New Orleans Songbook immerses audiences in the captivating and timeless spirit of this vibrant city.

 

For over three decades, Jazz at Lincoln Center has been a leading advocate for jazz, culture, and arts education globally. Under the direction of Wynton Marsalis, Jazz at Lincoln Center has brought the art form of jazz from the heart of New York City to over 446 cities in more than 40 countries.

 

The Jazz at Lincoln Center Presents touring initiative provides an opportunity to present great jazz programming, featuring up-and-coming musicians who have been identified as rising stars by JALC. The initiative also allows for expansion of the mission of JALC “to entertain, enrich and expand a global community for jazz through performance, education, and advocacy.”

 

Dear Evan Hansen

Tuesday & Wednesday, April 1 & 2

7:30 p.m.

 

Declared “one of the most remarkable shows in musical theater history” by The Washington Post, DEAR EVAN HANSEN is the first musical to take a groundbreaking look—from the point of view of both the parents and young people—at our complex, interconnected, and social media-filled lives.

 

Evan Hansen is a high school student who always feels like he’s on the outside looking in. Evan finally gets what so many of us are searching for—the chance to finally fit in. What follows is a poignant, funny, and powerful musical about how, even though it can be hard, we can find each other—and ourselves—along the way.

 

Including some of the most iconic musical theatre songs from the last decade, “You Will Be Found,” “Waving Through A Window,” and “For Forever,” DEAR EVAN HANSEN features an uplifting score by the Tony-, Grammy-, and Oscar-winning team behind The Greatest Showman and La La Land, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, and a book by Tony Award-winner Steven Levenson.

 

Champions of Magic

Tuesday, April 15

7:30 p.m.

 

Following a decade touring the world as one of the most successful magic shows in history, the Champions of Magic team is coming to Bloomington with an explosive ALL NEW show featuring thrilling and mind-bending illusions.

 

Fusing their skills in grand scale magic, a flair for spectacle and undeniable showmanship, this interactive, high-energy show is sure to entertain the entire family. Combining their signature humor with groundbreaking magic, the world’s only team of illusionists present a brand-new production unlike anything that has come before.