Beyond Bounds: WMPAC announces winter season lineup 

EBS STAFF 

The Warren Miller Performing Arts Center has unveiled the 10 acts for its 2025 winter season of Big Sky shows from Dec. 27 to March 22.  

This winter’s theme is “Beyond Bounds,” meant to pay homage to the Big Sky way of life where individuals push the envelope, testing limits and pushing beyond them. Shows on the schedule will aim to reflect that spirit.  

A WMPAC press release highlighted several unique shows that children and parents will enjoy, like the “futuristic spectacle” of the Aluminum Show on Jan. 31. “It’s a tour de force that combines movement, dance, visual theater, and plenty of humor to tell the story of an astronaut’s journey to a parallel universe where everything is made of aluminum,” the release stated.  

WMPAC also encourages families to attend the Step Afrika! performance on March 22, a group that has performed in 60 countries including multiple shows at the White House. The release described a style of dance that “draws on African rhythms and explosive footwork for a blood-pumping spectacle.”  

The series begins Friday, Dec. 27 with Broadway’s Next Hit Musical, followed by standup comedian Aparna Nancherla on Jan. 5, revered contemporary mariachi group Mariachi Herencia de México on Jan. 25, a display of “the world’s best guitar talent” at International Guitar Night on Feb. 19, two nights of “mind-bending” magic and puzzles with New York Times crossword puzzle creator and “Enigmatist” David Kwong on March 1 and 2, and piano savants Anderson & Roe on March 15. 

Toward the end of the season on March 8, James Sewell Ballet will give a farewell performance after more than a decade sharing their “irreverent humor and precise artistry” on the WMPAC stage, the release added. 

Also noteworthy, on Feb. 8, WMPAC will host an especially unique act—John Zirkle, WMPAC executive director, stated in the release that he’s especially excited for the BATSU! show.  

“I’m invested in all our performers, obviously but BATSU! is the first performance of its kind we’ve ever hosted,” Zirkle stated. BATSU! is a take on a Japanese style of comedy known as a batsu game, where comedians compete in various challenges and losers receive punishments such as electric shocks, paintballs, a giant egg-smashing chicken and other hilarious and unexpected consequences, according to the release. 

“It’s going to be a really fun night with friends, and part of what makes it so fun is that it’s completely unexpected,” Zirkle stated. 

The show exemplifies WMPAC’s Beyond Bounds theme. Communications manager Rikki Wommack explained the theme in a follow up email to EBS.   

“This year, as every year, WMPAC is proud to present artistic experiences that mirror the Big Sky spirit of expanding beyond the expected and adventuring beyond bounds,” Wommack wrote.  

Tickets are available online, with early season rates until Dec. 15 and discounts for bulk packages.