Following an impressive spring 2024 Broadway season, the ETSU Martin Center for the Arts is gearing up for another year of dazzling performances. 

On Friday Aug. 23, the Martin Center will be hosting their 2025 Broadway reveal in the Grand Hall. The doors will open at 6 p.m. for a reception in the Tindall Lobby followed by the reveal at 7 p.m. 

With this being the third season of the Broadway Series, Jennifer Clements, executive director of the Martin Center for the Arts, feels confident that this year’s performances will exceed expectations. 

“I think our patrons will be very impressed with our lineup, and very excited,” Clements said. “There’s something for everyone, and quite a few of the shows that people asked to see are going to be on the list this year.”

The Martin Center has begun unveiling heavy hitting performances, aside from the Broadway Series, as patrons await Friday’s reveal.

Singer-songwriter Ben Folds will be performing his “Paper Airplane Request Tour” alongside special guest Lindsey Kraft on Oct. 17 at 7:30 p.m. This tour will see Folds encouraging fans to send song requests through paper airplanes.

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For the first time in the Martin Center’s history, the “Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet” will be performing on Nov. 26 at 7 p.m. This classic Christmas tradition explores the music of Tchaikovsky and the magic of the holiday season through lavish costumes and an international all-star cast.

“A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live on Stage” will be performing on Dec. 17 at 7 p.m. The timeless television special that has touched the hearts of many now comes to life on stage. Families will join Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus, Snoopy and the rest of the Peanuts characters as they discover the true meaning of Christmas. 

Award-winning production “Swan Lake” will also be taking the stage on Feb. 24 at 7 p.m. Presented by the prestigious State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine, this performance promises to leave you spellbound with over 200 exquisite costumes and hand-painted sets worked to perfection. The enchanting performance looks to transport the audience to a world of passion, romance and beauty. 

Along with these incredible performances, the Martin Center also looks forward to presenting shows from professional groups that are closer to home. The Johnson City Symphony Orchestra plans to make their return back to the Grand Hall with performances such as “Life’s Journey” that will take the stage on Nov. 16 at 7:30 p.m. 

Symphony of the Mountains is also slated to make an appearance with their performance of “Virtuoso: An Evening with Edgar Meyer and Symphony of the Mountains” on March 1, 2025, at 7 p.m. 

Even with the already impressive lineup, as well as the highly anticipated 2025 Broadway Series reveal, Clements remarks that the Martin Center continues to look toward the community for input on ideas for new shows. 

“We really try to listen to the feedback from our community, from students, from faculty, staff, everyone who provides us with feedback about ideas,” Clements said. “We want to make sure that we’re bringing folks to the [Martin] Center that people are wanting to see.” 

To buy tickets, visit the Martin Center Box Office from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday, or purchase online. For more information, visit etsu.edu/martin-center/.

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