Here's a look at the 2025-26 theater season in Western Pa.
After a highly successful summer season, Pittsburgh theater is gearing up for a 2025-26 calendar that is jam-packed with blockbuster shows, new additions and nostalgia. From musicals to new plays to dreamy ballets, don’t miss out on the wide array of shows coming to stages around the city.
Pittsburgh Cultural Trust PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh Series
“A Beautiful Noise” (Sept. 9-14, Benedum Center) — Fans of legendary singer-songwriter Neil Diamond will want to come out to see this musical about his life, featuring beloved tunes including “Cherry, Cherry” and “Sweet Caroline.”
“Six” (Oct. 7-12, Benedum Center) — Meet the six wives of English king Henry VIII in pop girl group style with this pulse-pounding show about some of history’s most infamous but least-really-known women.
“Hell’s Kitchen” (Nov. 4-9, Benedum Center) — Penned and inspired by Grammy Award-winning pop star Alicia Keys, this show will use songs both new and familiar to tell the story of a young woman chasing her dreams and finding herself in New York City.
“Les Misérables” (Nov. 25-30, Benedum Center) — This new staging of the well-known and acclaimed epic musical will surely stun fans both new and old, bringing the audience back to 19th-century France through timeless music and unforgettable characters.
“Clue” (Dec. 30-Jan. 4, 2026, Benedum Center) — The beloved film turns 40 this year, and this musical adaptation won’t disappoint for fans of the intrigue and hijinks of the movie. “Clue” will have theatergoers on the edge of their seats trying to figure out just whodunit?
“Wicked” (Jan. 14-Feb. 15, 2026, Benedum Center) — Now even more beloved due to its blockbuster film, this story of “The Wizard of Oz” turned on its head has been flying into audiences’ hearts since 2003.
“Disney’s Beauty and the Beast” (Feb. 24-March 1, 2026, Benedum Center) — Another timeless classic, this fairytale romance will make audiences of all ages swoon with its Disney magic, sparkling score and awe-inspiring visuals.
“Chicago” (March 10-15, 2026, Benedum Center) — This crime thriller, set during the 1920s, features big characters, big dance numbers and big personalities. Now a tried-and-true classic, “Chicago” has a jazzy score and an engaging story that’s sure to razzle-dazzle.
“Water for Elephants” (March 31-April 5, 2026, Benedum Center) — Don’t miss this heart-filled, emotional and stunning spectacle of a musical about a young man who joins the circus. This one comes with three rings of poignant story and amazing sights.
“Shucked” (April 14-19, 2026, Benedum Center) — A musical about … corn? Well, good thing it’s a comedy! Check out this fresh, new musical with an old-fashioned formula full of corny jokes and fun songs.
“The Great Gatsby” (May 26-31, 2026, Benedum Center) — Enter the glitzy Roaring ’20s world of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel to see this heart-pumping new show full of song, dance and familiar characters.
“The Rocky Horror Show” (Oct. 14-Nov. 8, Greer Cabaret Theater) — Celebrating 50 years of the film, the CLO will bring this bawdy, spooky cult classic to the intimate Greer Cabaret stage just in time for Halloween season.
“A Musical Christmas Carol” (Dec. 13-23, Byham Theater) — Now a tradition, this musical iteration of Charles Dickens’ oft-adapted tale will get even the biggest grump into the Christmas spirit.
“Noises Off” (Oct. 1-19, O’Reilly Theater) — Ready for a few laughs? “Noises Off” will take the audience behind the scenes of a play within a play, evoking hilarity with every turn. Don’t miss this modern masterpiece.
“A Christmas Story: The Play” (Dec. 4-21, O’Reilly Theater) — Based on several generations’ favorite Christmas film, this play expands on the life of Ralphie and his family as he longs for a particular Christmas gift with charm and spirit.
“An Enemy of the People” (Feb. 4-22, 2026, O’Reilly Theater) — This incendiary Ibsen adaptation combines the old and new in a just-fresh-off-Broadway trip to Pittsburgh. Audiences may see echoes of modern politics and culture in its gripping scenes.
“Primary Trust” (March 25-April 12, 2026, O’Reilly Theater) — This Pulitzer Prize-winning dramedy is making its Pittsburgh premiere with this production that will be sure to please audiences with poignancy and laughs.
“Another Kind of Silence” (Sept. 20-Oct. 12, City Theatre Mainstage) — This play is a world premiere in both English and American Sign Language about longing and love between two women who have a chance meeting while traveling. Be one of the first to experience its wonder.
“Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women” (Nov. 15-Dec. 7, City Theatre Mainstage) — A perfect pre-holiday tale, this adaptation of the novel sits parallel with the story of the author’s creation of it, weaving the two stories together into a heartfelt tale for the ages.
“Malcolm X and Redd Foxx Washing Dishes at Jimmy’s Chicken Shack in Harlem” (Jan. 17-Feb. 8, City Theatre Mainstage) — The title tells you a lot about this based-on-a-true-story, co-world premiere about two icons who knew each other before their names were on billboards and in history books.
“Eureka Day” (March 7-29, City Theatre Mainstage) — This biting comedy just came recently from Broadway to satirize and shine a light on issues of the day, achieving the goal of making audiences laugh uproariously but also think about wider issues facing our world.
“Hedwig and the Angry Inch” (May 2-June 7, 2026, Greer Cabaret Theater) — Bringing back a show that City Theatre first staged in 2003, “Hedwig” is a much-loved rock musical that explores love, identity and cutting-edge issues in what’s sure to be a popular revival in partnership with the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.
“Seussical” (Sept. 18-20, Greensburg Garden and Civic Center) — With all of the whimsy of Dr. Seuss’s rhymes and a colorful, catchy show to boot, kids and adults alike will be delighted by this musical.
“Godspell” (Feb. 6-8, 2026, Greensburg Garden and Civic Center) — Stephen Schwartz’s smash-hit show gets updated in this entertaining retelling of Bible parables that will please any crowd.
“Prescription Murder” (May 15-17, 2026, Greensburg Garden and Civic Center) — This enrapturing mystery is, in fact, the inspiration for the television series “Columbo” and will be just as engrossing for fans of detectives, twisting plots and satisfying mysteries.
“Dracula” (Oct. 31-Nov. 2, Benedum Center) — Perfect for a Halloween night out, this dark and seductive story will be told through dance in something very different for both ballet and the Bram Stoker tale.
“The Nutcracker” (Dec. 5-28, Benedum Center) — A Pittsburgh tradition, this holiday must-see is full of magic, mayhem and sparkle. Whether it’s your first time or 50th, there’s nothing like “The Nutcracker” at Christmastime.
“America 250” (Feb. 20-22, 2026, Benedum Center) — Celebrating 250 years of the United States will undoubtedly be en vogue next year, even amongst stage companies. This mix of Americana scenes will include “The Mighty Casey,” “Stars and Stripes Pas de deux” and more.
“Spring Mix” (April 10-12, 2026, August Wilson African American Cultural Center) — Another PBT fixture, this program will contain an assortment of different dances old and new, including returning favorites and world premieres.
“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” (May 15-17, 2026, Benedum Center) — An all-dance version of Shakespeare’s classic? It makes perfect sense! This ballet is dreamy, romantic, mischievous and beautiful with the aid of the PBT Orchestra.
“Evil Dead The Musical” (Sept. 26-Oct. 25, West End Canopy) — Time-tested to be a bloody good time, this adaptation of the cult classic horror-comedy film has been an audience favorite several seasons in a row.
“Disney’s Newsies” (Nov. 6-9, Byham Theater) — Seize the day with “Newsies,” a musical about workers fighting for rights against injustice. This show is also based on a true story and the beloved 1992 Disney film.
“A Lyrical Christmas Carol” (Dec. 17-21, Gargaro Theater) — Another Christmas tradition for three decades, the season isn’t complete without this musical, where Scrooge will transform through song.
“Annie” (Feb. 19-March 1, 2026, Byham Theater) — One of the most loved musicals of all time is packed with still-huge song,s including “Tomorrow.” This sunny show brings all the indomitable spirit of one spunky redheaded orphan to the stage once again.
“Beetlejuice Jr.” (March 26-29, 2026, Gargaro Theater) — Another adaptation, based on the 1988 Tim Burton movie (of course, starring Pittsburgh’s own Michael Keaton) is geared towards a younger crowd but doesn’t leave out the laughs.
“Dear Evan Hansen” (April 30-May 24, 2026, Gargaro Theater) — This modern look at mental health and social media is emotional and powerful, with touching songs and fleshed-out characters. This one will stick with you after the house lights come up.
Alexis Papalia is a TribLive staff writer. She can be reached at apapalia@triblive.com.
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