Skip to Content, Navigation, or Footer.
Support the IDS in College Media Madness! Donate here March 24 - April 8.
Friday, March 29
The Indiana Daily Student

arts community events iu auditorium

From "Monty Python" to "Elf," here's what's coming to the IU Auditorium

auditorium filler.jpg

From Broadway shows to brand new musicals, IU Auditorium’s newly announced season will be offering different types of programming.

This season’s musicals include “Chicago,” “Monty Python’s Spamalot,” “Elf the Broadway Musical,” “Rent,” “Something Rotten” and “Finding Neverland.” 

Other music and dance programs include “Dennis James Hosts Halloween,” “Chimes of Christmas,” “Straight No Chaser,” “The Cleveland Orchestra,” “Mariachi Los Comperos,” “Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre,” “Reversible” and “An Evening with Branford Marsalis.”

“We at IU Auditorium have the privilege of delivering a variety of world-class arts and entertainment right to Bloomington’s doorstep,” Doug Booher, Executive Director of IU Auditorium, said in a press release. “This year, IU students will be featured alongside prominent artists such as The Cleveland Orchestra and Dennis James during their performances.”

The IU Auditorium has announced additional programming since the press release first came out. “Steve Martin and Martin Short: An Evening You Will Forget for the Rest of Your Life,” “Modest Mouse,” “A Potpourri of Arts” and “The Price is Right.”

Maria K. Talbert, managing director of the IU Auditorium, said the auditorium tries to make its programming affordable for students. 

“As always, we provide a discount to IU-Bloomington students of up to 50 percent for all of the shows we present in the season,” Talbert said in an email. “There aren't many live performance venues that can offer that kind of opportunity, but we take great pride in enhancing the college experience at IU.”

"Steve Martin and Martin Short: An Evening You Will Forget for the Rest of Your Life"

The comedy duo from comedy classics such as “Three Amigos,” “Father of the Bride” and “Father of the Bride Part II” will be performed at 8 p.m. Sept. 22 at the IU Auditorium. Their acclaimed variety show has toured the country with songs and skits. Their show was recently filmed live and released as a Netflix special.

"Chicago"

"Chicago" will be performed at 8 p.m. October 10 and 11 at the IU Auditorium. “Chicago” has travelled around the world, garnered six Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards and a Grammy. It was adapted into an Academy-Award winning film in 2002. 

"Modest Mouse"

This well-known indie rock band will perform at 8 p.m. Oct. 19 at the IU Auditorium.

"Dennis James Hosts Halloween"

The well-known organist and IU alumnus celebrates his 50th year returning to the IU Auditorium at 7:30 Oct. 26. He will accompany the classic silent horror film “The Phantom of the Opera.” This annual tradition is a family-friendly event. 

"Monty Python’s Spamalot"

The Tony-award-winning musical based on comedy classic “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” comes to Bloomington at 8 p.m. Oct. 30 and 31. An homage to the famous British comedy troupe, it trails King Arthur and his followers on their comical journey to find the mythical “Holy Grail.” 

"Potpourri of the Arts"

The Potpourri of the Arts,” a celebration of African American performance art, will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 10. It features IU-based performance ensembles, the African American Dance Company, the African American Choral Ensemble and the IU Soul Revue.

"Elf the Broadway Musical"

Elf the Broadway Musical, based on the 2003 comedy film starring Will Ferrell, will be at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 13 and 14. The family friendly musical follows Buddy, an orphan raised by Santa Claus who thinks he’s just one of Santa’s elves. When he discovers he’s a human, he sets out to New York City to find his father. 

"Chimes of Christmas"

Chimes of Christmas, an annual holiday concert, will be performed at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1. It features the Grammy-nominated Singing Hoosiers and other performance ensembles of the Jacobs School of Music. The family-friendly performance will include contemporary songs, Christmas carols and classical choral arrangements.

"Straight No Chaser"

This critically acclaimed a cappella group, which originated at Indiana University in 1996, will perform at 8 p.m. Dec. 13 at IU Auditorium. 

"The Cleveland Orchestra"

The Cleveland Orchestra will perform “Mahler’s 2nd Symphony” at 8 p.m. Jan. 23. They will be accompanied by soprano Joélle Harvey, mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke and members of the Jacobs School of Music’s University Chorale. The ensemble, which has toured internationally, is now under the direction of Franz Welser-Mös.

"Rent 20th Anniversary Tour"

The Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning musical will be performed at 8 p.m. Jan. 28 and 29 at the IU Auditorium. This reimagining of Puccini’s La Bohème follows seven struggling artists who follow their passions without compromising themselves. This musical is for mature audiences only. 

"Mariachi Los Camperos"

This Grammy Award-winning ensemble will perform at 7 p.m. Feb. 9 at the IU Auditorium. It was founded by Natividad “Nati” Cano in 1961 as part of his mission to introduce mariachi bands into the concert hall. It comes to Bloomington as part of the Arts and Humanities Council’s Spring 2019 Mexico Remixed festival. It is a family-friendly performance. 

"The Price is Right"

This interactive stage show, based on the TV game program “The Price is Right,” will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 21. 

"Something Rotten!"

This critically acclaimed musical comedy will be performed at 8 p.m. Feb. 27 and 28 at the IU Auditorium. Set it 1595, it follows the exploits of two struggling playwrights, brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom, as they set out to write the world’s first musical. 

"Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater"

Alvin Ailey will perform at 8 p.m. March 19 at the IU Auditorium. Since the first performance in 1958, it has celebrated the human condition and the African American experience through dance and has served as America’s cultural ambassador to the world. 

"Reversible"

This contemporary circus show from the Montreal-based company 7 Fingers will be performing at 7:30 p.m. on April 2 and 3. 

"An Evening with Branford Marsalis"

Three-time Grammy winner Branford Marsalis and the Branford Marsalis Quartet come to the IU Auditorium at 8 p.m. April 6. A big name in the jazz world, Marsalis is best known as musical director of “The Tonight Show” Starring Jay Leno and for working on Spike Lee’s film “School Daz.”

"Finding Neverland"

The hit Broadway show comes to IU Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. April 23 and 24. Based on the Academy Award-winning film, “Finding Neverland,” the musical follows J.M. Barrie’s struggles to conceive of the iconic Peter Pan character. The performance is family-friendly. 

Tickets and information can be found at www.iuauditorium.com. Tickets can also be purchased at the Box Office. 

Get stories like this in your inbox
Subscribe