This holiday season, the Morris Performing Arts Center in South Bend, Indiana, offers an array of enchanting performances that cater to all tastes. From the orchestral grandeur of The Prophecy Show and Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto to the soul-stirring tributes to Aretha Franklin, and the delightful musicals like The Cher Show, the center promises a cultural feast. With events spanning from December 2024 through April 2025, attendees can expect a medley of musical genres, unforgettable performances by renowned artists, and shows that celebrate both holiday magic and musical legends.

A Symphony of Holiday Spirit and Iconic Performances Await at Morris Performing Arts Center

The Morris Performing Arts Center in South Bend, Indiana, is set to be a hub of cultural celebration with an array of diverse events lined up. From orchestral masterpieces like Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto to the iconic musical biography 'The Cher Show', attendees will be swept off their feet by the variety and depth of performances. The venue promises a dynamic mix of musicals, orchestras, and tributes that capture the essence of both timeless classics and contemporary hits, bringing a unique entertainment experience to life.

A Cultural Celebration at Morris Performing Arts Center: Music, Musicals, and More

Prepare to be swept away on a cultural journey at the Morris Performing Arts Center in South Bend, Indiana. From the timeless allure of Cher and the haunting charm of The Addams Family, to the dynamic rhythms of Aretha Franklin and the magnetic pull of The Temptations, this venue is set to host a dazzling lineup of musicals and concerts. With internationally acclaimed performances like 'Chicago: The Musical' and the orchestral brilliance of Bartók's concerto, audiences will experience a feast of artistic variety, creativity, and talent.

A Cultural Odyssey at the Morris Performing Arts Center: Music and Musicals Reign Supreme

The Morris Performing Arts Center is set to illuminate South Bend with a spectacular lineup for the 2025 season. From musical icons like Cher and The Temptations to timeless classics such as Les Misérables and Annie, this season promises a diverse array of performances. Whether it’s the orchestral splendor of Bartók or the Broadway brilliance of Nathan Gunn, audiences are in for unforgettable experiences. Here’s a closer look at what makes these events stand out and why you should mark your calendar for a cultural feast.

A Season to Remember: Morris Performing Arts Center's 2025 Lineup

The Morris Performing Arts Center is gearing up to host an incredible series of events that celebrate diverse artistic expressions and musical genres. From the Tony Award-winning musical 'The Cher Show' to classic favorites like 'Annie', and electrifying concerts honoring icons like Aretha Franklin, this season promises to be unforgettable. With performances from world-class artists and orchestras, audiences will experience the magic of Broadway, the allure of orchestral masterpieces, and the nostalgia of legendary musical acts.

An Exciting Lineup of Musicals and Concerts at Morris Performing Arts Center

Cameron Mackintosh presents the acclaimed production of Boublil and Schönberg’s Tony Award-winning musical phenomenon, Les Misérables. This brilliant staging has taken the world by storm and has been hailed as “a reborn dream of a production” (Daily Telegraph). 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. The magnificent score of Les Misérables includes the songs “I Dreamed a Dream,” “On My Own,” “Bring Him Home,” “One Day More” and many more.

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Les Miserables

Morris Performing Arts Center

Pianist Jeffrey Biegel brings Peter Boyer’s captivating Rhapsody in Red, White, and Blue, along with a Piano Concerto by Adolphus Hailstork. The 92nd Season ends with Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances.

Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances

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.

Ain’t Too Proud

One of America’s most accomplished and in-demand Baritones today, Nathan Gunn, comes home to South Bend for one magical night with the Symphony for a power packed evening of Broadway’s biggest hits.

Nathan Gunn Sings Broadway

A musical act from the FUTURE, performing with MILLION DOLLAR acts from the PAST and bringing it all together for you right here in the PRESENT.

Million Dollar Time Machine

Holding onto hope when times are tough can take an awful lot of determination, and sometimes, an awful lot of determination comes in a surprisingly small package. Little Orphan Annie has reminded generations of theatergoers that sunshine is always right around the corner, and now the best-loved musical of all time is set to return in a new production – just as you remember it and just when we need it most.

Annie

Bartok – Concerto for Orchestra

CHICAGO is still the one musical with everything that makes Broadway shimmy-shake: a universal tale of fame, fortune, and all that jazz, with one showstopping song after another and the most astonishing dancing you’ve ever seen.

Chicago: The Musical

R.E.S.P.E.C.T. is an electrifying tribute celebrating the music of the legendary Aretha Franklin. This concert experience takes audiences on a journey of love, tragedy, courage, and triumph. Starring a live band and supreme vocalists, come experience a night of music by one of the greatest artists of all time.

R.e.s.p.e.c.t.

This Alastair Presents, the sixth in the series, takes you to nineteenth-century Vienna! We will visit Johann Strauss’s musical family to peer into his work as he composes overtures, waltzes, polkas, and more!

Alastair Presents: Waltzing with Strauss

A comical feast that embraces the wackiness in every family, THE ADDAMS FAMILY is themagnificently macabre hit musical featuring everyone’s favorite creepy, kooky characters. WednesdayAddams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and fallen inlove with a sweet, smart youngman from a respectable family. A man her parents have never met. And if that weren’t upsetting enough,she confides in her father and begs him not to tell her mother. Now, Gomez Addams must do somethinghe’s never done before-keep a secret from his beloved wife, Morticia. Everything will change for the whole family on the fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesday’s “normal” boyfriend and his parents.

The Addams Family

Superstars come and go. Cher is forever. For six straight decades, only one unstoppable force has flat-out dominated popular culture — breaking down barriers, pushing boundaries, and letting nothing and no one stand in her way. THE CHER SHOW is the Tony® Award-winning musical of her story, and it’s packed with so much Cher that it takes three women to play her: the bright-eyed kid starting out, the glam pop star, and the icon.

The Cher Show: A New Musical

Indulge in the virtuosity of Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 35, when Benjamin Beilman and the Symphony bring this beloved concerto to life, along with Brahms’ Symphony No. 3.

Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto

This high-energy, dazzling tribute to the Queen of Soul features Drama Desk Award nominee Capathia Jenkins and three-time GRAMMY-nominated artist Ryan Shaw performing iconic favorites including “Respect,” “Think,” “A Natural Woman,” “Chain of Fools,” “Amazing Grace,” and more.

Aretha: A Tribute

Embrace the holiday spirit with A MAGICAL CIRQUE CHRISTMAS, a variety show full of nostalgia, charm, and awe-inspiring performances for all ages. Get ready to be dazzled, enchanted, and filled with holiday cheer as you witness the incredible talents of world-class entertainers performing to your favorite holiday music. Celebrate the magic of the season with the entire family at A MAGICAL CIRQUE CHRISTMAS.

A Magical Cirque Christmas

Two performances, one day only! South Bend’s favorite holiday tradition returns with Music Director Alastair Willis and the Symphony for Home for the Holidays for one day only. A spectacular program of cherished Christmas carols and memorable seasonal tunes that bring joy to all. The perfect gift for the whole family.

Home for the Holidays

Launching their 18th touring season of an extravagant Christmas musical production!

The Prophecy Show: Music of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Recently featured in Variety Magazine for their “Heartwarming” Oscar Eligible full length film and soundtrack, The Bergamot returns to South Bend just in time for the holidays. The band’s highly successful “A South Shore Christmas” Concert enters its 7th year and includes a special night of music and storytelling from the founding members Nathaniel Paul Hoff and Jillian Speece.

The Bergamot – A South Shore Christmas

Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake has captivated audiences worldwide with its enchanting narrative, timeless music, and unforgettable dance sequences. This Ukrainian State Theatre, renowned for its artistic excellence, is finally bringing their awe-inspiring rendition of Swan Lake to the United States. Prepare to be transported to a world of magic and wonder as you witness the original choreography by Petipa and Ivanov, adorned with dazzling tutus and opulent set designs. Immerse yourself in the fantasy once more, as this production promises to reignite your passion for this beloved ballet.

The State Ballet of Ukraine: Swan Lake

The Symphony leads a city-wide celebration of this vibrant, celebratory holiday

Día De Los Muertos

The Harry Potter Film Concert Series returns to Morris Performing Arts Center with Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets in Concert, the second film in the Harry Potter series. For two performances, the South Bend Symphony Orchestra performs John Williams’ unforgettable score live from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets while the entire film plays in high-definition.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets In Concert

Conventional wisdom has it that Amy Grant put Contemporary Christian Music on the map, becoming the first CCM artist to have a platinum record, the first to hit No. 1 on the Pop charts, and the first to perform at the GRAMMY Awards. Since then, Grant has been strumming her way through a thirty-plus year adventure as a singer-songwriter, author, television host, and speaker.

Amy Grant

Bored Teachers are BACK with all new material on their “The Struggle is Real!” Comedy Tour. For years, Bored Teachers Studios has brought a sense of humor to teachers around the world to ease their daily struggle in the classroom. They’ve amassed over a billion views on their viral videos on social media, over 10 million followers, and the #1 ranked teacher-comedy podcast—#6 of all Stand Up Comedy shows on Apple Podcasts. Since 2022, Bored Teachers has been selling out comedy clubs and major theatres across 49 states, bringing laughter to over 150,000 teachers throughout the school year and has become the main event to attend in all of teacher world. Even non-teacher fans have reviewed it as one of the funniest stand up shows they’ve ever seen!

Bored Teachers: The Struggle Is Real! Comedy Tour

Prepare to laugh until you cry when four of the world’s most masterful improv artists take you on the high wire act of comedic acrobatics. The rapid-fire wit and non-stop jokes will have your sides splitting and begging for mercy…and also begging for more. The Morris will welcome Ryan Stiles and Greg Proops, both seen on ABC’s “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” as well as Jeff B. Davis and Joel Murray. If you are a “Whose Line?” fan, get ready for the same relentless laughter that you grew to love, but without the commercial breaks! If you are new to improv comedy, then you are in for a show unlike anything you have ever seen before.

Whose Live Anyway?

The 92nd Season opens with Stravinsky’s iconic work, “The Rite of Spring!” Its aggressive rhythms will captivate you and transform you. The program includes Carlos Simon’s “Four Black American Dances” and Poulenc’s “Les Biches.”

The Rite of Spring

When Dad feels like a little bit of Sunday afternoon time out, Bluey and Bingo have other plans! Join them as they pull out all of the games and cleverness at their disposal to get Dad off that bean bag. Bluey’s Big Play is a brand-new theatrical adaptation of the Emmy® award-winning children’s television series, with an original story by Bluey creator Joe Brumm, and new music by Bluey composer, Joff Bush. Join the Heelers in their first live theatre show made just for you, featuring brilliantly created puppets, this is Bluey as you’ve never seen it before, brought to real life. Bluey’s Big Play is presented by BBC Studios and Andrew Kay in association with Windmill Theatre Co.

Bluey’s Big Play

Personally endorsed by Fleetwood Mac founding member, Mick Fleetwood, Rumours of Fleetwood Mac is the ultimate tribute to one of rock and roll’s most remarkable groups.

Rumours Of Fleetwood Mac

Movies at the Morris Presents:  “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” on Friday, August 2, 2024 at 7:00pm.  Tickets are required for this free event.

Movies at the Morris: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

RAIN: A Tribute to the Beatles is an electrifying concert experience celebrating the timeless music of the legendary fab four. With note-for-note precision, this mind-blowing performance transports you back to the iconic eras of Sgt. Pepper and Magical Mystery Tour, along with all your favorite hits. From energetic classics to reflective favorites, the band delivers an unforgettable performance that appeals to fans old and new. With vibrant costumes and psychedelic visuals, RAIN creates a stunning concert full of nostalgia and good vibes. RAIN – A Tribute to the Beatles promises an extraordinary journey through the eras that captivates hearts and inspires all generations.

RAIN: A Tribute to the Beatles

The South Bend Symphony Orchestra celebrates our country’s independence with the Shein Trust Community Series season “Salute to Freedom” concert on Wednesday, July 3, at 7:30 p.m., at the Morris Performing Arts Center. Under the baton of Music Director Alastair Willis, the Orchestra will once again captivate audiences with patriotic tunes, tributes to the armed forces, and popular songs performed by South Bend’s Danny Lerman. Thanks to Shein Trust’s generous support, this family-friendly concert is free.

Salute to Freedom

Raffaella is a new fairytale ballet commissioned by the Stroik family, in memory of their daughter, Raffaella Stroik. Inspired by her life, this all-new full-length ballet follows the lineage of classical ballets such as Giselle and The Sleeping Beauty and seeks to embody Raffaella’s motto, “Beauty will save the world.” The narrative follows a young peasant girl from a miraculous birth in 18th century Italy. During her adventures she meets a mysterious Prince, and later a charming but false Prince, and she must choose which way to go. Featuring a new score by neo-traditional composer Michael Kurek, new choreography by former New York City Ballet Soloist Claire Kretzschmar, the artists of the South Bend Symphony Orchestra, and a corps of professional dancers from across the nation, Raffaella is set to be unmatched in scope and history. Expect to be transformed by beauty in motion.

Raffaella – A New Fairytale Ballet

Blippi is coming to South Bend, Indiana for the ultimate curiosity adventure in Blippi: The Wonderful World Tour! So, come on! Dance, sing, and learn with Blippi and special guest Meekahas they discover what makes different cities unique and special. Will there be monster trucks, excavators, and garbage trucks galore? You bet! So get ready to shake those wiggles out and OJ Twist your way through this brand-new musical party!

Blippi – Wonderful World Tour

A silent film star falls for a chorus girl just as he and his delusionally jealous screen partner are trying to make the difficult transition to talking pictures in 1920s Hollywood.

Movies at the Morris: Singin’ in the Rain

Set on a Greek island paradise where the sun always shines, a tale of love, friendship, and identity is beautifully told through the timeless hits of ABBA. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter’s quest to discover the father she’s never known brings three men from her mother’s past back to the island they last visited decades ago.

Mamma Mia!

Thunderstruck expertly recreates the AC/DC live concert experience just the way fans remember it. Each member obsesses over the tones and structures of each song, the energy of each performance, as well as every piece of gear, to bring the power and entertainment of a genuine AC/DC show back to the stage.

Thunderstruck – America’s AC/DC Tribute

The Keynote speaker for this year’s Thought Leadership Conference is Valerie Jarrett, the longest serving Senior Advisor to President Barack Obama. She oversaw the Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs Offices and Chaired the White House Council on Women and Girls. Ms. Jarrett has worked throughout her tenure at the White House to mobilize elected officials, business and community leaders, and diverse groups of advocates. She led the Obama Administration’s efforts to expand and strengthen access to the middle class and boost American businesses and our economy. She championed the creation of equality and opportunity for all Americans and economically and politically empowering women in the United States and worldwide. She oversaw the Administration’s advocacy for workplace policies that empower working families, including equal pay, raising the minimum wage, paid leave, paid sick days, workplace flexibility, and affordable childcare, and led the campaigns to reform our criminal justice system, end sexual assault, and reduce gun violence.

An Evening with Valerie Jarrett

Wheel of Fortune LIVE! brings America’s Game® to your hometown! One of the greatest game shows of all time has been adapted into a stage show to give more fans access and more chances to win at “Wheel of Fortune LIVE!” Guests are randomly selected to go on stage and feel like they stepped into the game show itself. The live stage show is the only way you can have the chance to spin a replica of the iconic Wheel. At Wheel of Fortune LIVE!, contestants are selected from the audience to go on stage for the chance to call consonants, buy vowels, and maybe even solve puzzles to win fantastic prizes, including trips to destinations like Paris and Hawaii or up to $10,000 in cash. Everyone gets in on the fun and a chance to win at Wheel of Fortune LIVE! because there are audience games too!

Wheel of Fortune Live!

“Dvořák’s New World” unpacks Antonín Dvořák’s prediction that the future of classical music would be found in the United States rather than Europe. Florence Prices’ most famous work,”Ethiopia’s Shadow in America,” concludes the Masterworks series.

Dvořák’s New World

TOAST is the No. 1 Tribute in the world to the 70’s hit band, BREAD! With a surprising fidelity rarely heard from a live tribute band, their sound is often described as “spot on” to the original recordings. Audiences everywhere rave about how closely their live performances sound like the cherished records they listened to back in the day.

Toast – The Ultimate Bread Experience

Produced nationally and internationally, Little Women has been praised by critics for its ambition in bringing the timeless, captivating story to vivid musical life on stage. Based on Louisa May Alcott’s life, Little Women follows the adventures of sisters Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy March, each determined to live life on her own terms. Little Women embodies the complete theatrical experience, leaving audiences filled with a sense of adventure, joy, heartache, and a lifting of the spirit. The powerful score soars with the sounds of personal discovery, heartbreak, hope, and everlasting love – the sounds of a young America finding its voice.

Little Women

For over a decade, Theresa Caputo, known worldwide as the Long Island Medium, and star of the new Lifetime Series Raising Spirits, has shared her messages of comfort and healing with more than a million and a half audience members worldwide. Through personal stories about her life and explaining her gift to communicate with those who have passed on, the beloved television personality and best-selling author delivers healing messages to audience members, comforting them with the revelation that their deceased loved ones are still with them– just in a different way. Recognized as one of the most renowned mediums for over 30 years, Theresa Caputo Live: The Experience is the awe-inspiring event you won’t want to miss.

Theresa Caputo LIVE! The Experience

Back to the 80’sis a power-packed evening of the decade’s #1 hit songs, including The Power of Love, Time After Time, Material Girl, Another One Bites The Dust, Footloose, Addicted to Love, and many others. Featuring the music of such 80’s iconic stars as Madonna, Debbie Gibson, Huey Lewis & The News, Phil Collins, Queen, Joe Cocker, and others, Back to the 80’s contains all-new arrangements by Grammy-winner Jeff Tyzik and features three incredible vocalists.

Back to the 1980’s

Over 275 students and teachers from the four area South Bend High Schools, will gather together, for the first time, on the stage of The Morris Performing Arts Center, located 211 N. Michigan Street. to present a joint concert on Monday, April 15, 2024 at 7 pm. The event is free and open to the public.

South Bend High School Music Fest

Brit Floyd returns to the stage in 2024 with P·U·L·S·E, their biggest and most spectacular production to date, a celebration and faithful recreation of Pink Floyd’s legendary final Division Bell tour, complete with a stunning laser and light show, iconic circular screen, inflatables and theatrics. The 2 and a half hour plus show features classic tracks from Pink Floyd’s magnificent catalogue of albums, including the Dark Side of the Moon, The Wall, Wish You Were Here, Animals, The Division Bell, Meddle and much more. In 1994 the Division Bell Tour was the highest-grossing tour in rock music history, playing to over 5 million people in 68 cities and proved to be the epic finale and notable footnote to one of the most influential rock bands in history.

Brit Floyd – P·U·L·S·E

The passionate melody and lyrics of arias, duets, trios, and choruses by Mozart, Bizet, Puccini, Verdi, Masagni, and Wagner come to life when the South Bend Lyric Opera join the Symphony for this dynamic performance. 

A Night at the Opera

STOMP is explosive, inventive, provocative, witty, and utterly unique—an unforgettable experience for audiences of all ages. The international percussion sensation has garnered armfuls of awards and rave reviews and has appeared on numerous national television shows. The eight-member troupe uses everything but conventional percussion instruments – matchboxes, wooden poles, brooms, garbage cans, Zippo lighters, hubcaps – to fill the stage with magnificent rhythms. Year after year, audiences worldwide keep coming back for more of this pulse-pounding electrifying show. As the Boston Globe says, “If you haven’t seen STOMP, GO! If you have seen it, take someone and share the pleasure!”

STOMP

The Classic Rock Show celebrates the very best of classic rock. Paying tribute to its favorite rock heroes, The Classic Rock Show thunders through performances from the likes of Led Zeppelin, Dire Straits, The Who, Eric Clapton, AC/DC, Queen, The Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, and many more. Performed with note-for-note precision, bringing the original era-defining recordings back to life on stage, with an amazing sound and light show to match. Anthem after anthem, riff after riff, and solo after solo, culminating in a show-stopping guitar duel that is definitely not to be missed.

The Classic Rock Show

From the producer of The Lion King comes the timeless story of ALADDIN, a thrilling new production filled with unforgettable beauty, magic, comedy and breathtaking spectacle. It’s an extraordinary theatrical event where one lamp and three wishes make the possibilities infinite.

Disney’s ALADDIN

Indiana Trust Pops Series takes you “Under the Big Top” to an unforgettable performance that will transport you to the magical world of Circus Flora. Making its debut in South Bend, this immersive experience will thrill and delight audiences of all ages with Circus Flora’s incredible skills, performing breathtaking aerial acts, acrobatics, juggling, and more.

Under the Big Top

The Golden Girls are back! Miami’s sassiest seniors have returned for one more hurrah. 2024 finds Sophia out on bail, after being busted by the DEA for running a drug ring for retirees. Blanche and Rose have founded CreakN, a thriving sex app for seniors. And Dorothy is trying to hold it all together, with help from her much younger, sex-crazed love interest. Relive the heartfelt hilarity of four ladies who never stopped being your friends!

Golden Girls – The Laughs Continue

Revel in the sumptuous and spellbinding melodies of Mahler’s Symphony No. 5 as the South Bend Symphony Orchestra presents the second Jack M. Champaigne Masterworks Concert, “Discover Mahler’s Symphony No. 5,” featuring the award-winning composer Michael Schelle, winner of the 2022-23 season Crossroads of America competition. Don’t miss this extraordinary event – secure your tickets now and prepare to be transported to new heights of musical excellence.

Discover Mahler’s Symphony No. 5

Little River Band was once dubbed as “the best singing band in the world,” by Glenn Frey of the Eagles. Through the ’70s and ’80s, the group has enjoyed huge chart success with multiplatinum albums and chart-topping hits. Little River Band is known for their hits like “Reminiscing,” “Lady,” “Lonesome Loser,” “The Night Owls,” and more. With worldwide album and CD sales of more than 30 million copies, they were also the first band to set a record for having Top 10 hits for six consecutive years.

Morris Performing Arts Center

May 17, 2025 - Feb 1, 2026

Ain’t Too Proud

Aug 6, 2025 - Apr 20, 2026

Les Miserables

Aug 6, 2025 - Apr 20, 2026

Les Miserables

May 24, 2025

Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances

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Morris Performing Arts Center