Beggar's Banquet is an East Lansing favorite for a Sunday brunch special.

"We serve great breakfast, we have a lot of brunch," said manager Greg Risner.

But when thousands of Michigan State University students leave each May, their summer business can sometimes suffer.

"In the summer we loose a lot of students so obviously our business can drop off," Risner said.

But the hit Broadway play "Wicked" coming to the Wharton Center could be the answer that East Lansing businesses are looking for in the slumping summer months.

"People tend to come here before and after events at the Wharton Center so I think it could be good for our business," Risner said.

"Now we have thousands of people coming back into town for four weeks spending money," said Wharton Public Relations Manager Bob Hoffman.

Hoffman said the musical's ticket sales broke Wharton box office records during its run last year, and now that it's been extended from a three week to a four week run this year, they expect a wicked return for businesses.

"So do the math; you're looking at about $15 million or $20 million to the community," Hoffman said.

Hoffman says the play will draw crowds from Indiana, Chicago and Ohio, that can see the play at lower price compared to most major metropolitan areas.

"It is an economically challenging time for the state of Michigan; however I think what you're going to see and you are seeing is people are saving their money for things that make them happy," Hoffman said.

Happy enough to fuel the economy of East Lansing.