BroadwayWorld.com Hawaii Stories

Mānoa Valley Theatre and W.O.W. Productions to Launch Inaugural Juneteenth Festival

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 19:45:10 PST

Mānoa Valley Theatre and W.O.W. Productions will present the inaugural Juneteenth Festival 2026, a six-day celebration of Black history, culture, artistry, spirituality, and community, June 15–20, 2026, at Mānoa Valley Theatre.

Presented under the theme "Celebrating 250 Years of Black Joy," the festival brings together cultural presentations, panel discussions, theater, music, spoken word, community engagement, and live performances that honor the enduring contributions and experiences of Black communities while fostering dialogue and connection across cultures.

"Our vision for the Juneteenth Festival is to create a space where stories are shared, cultures are honored, and communities come together in the spirit of understanding and celebration," said Shervelle Bergholz, founder of the Juneteenth Festival. "Beginning the festival by recognizing the Indigenous people of Hawaiʻi reflects our belief that honoring one another's histories strengthens all of us. Throughout the week, we celebrate Black excellence, creativity, spirituality, and joy while building bridges that connect our diverse communities."

The week-long festival opens Monday, June 15, with "Ua Mau Ke Ea O Ka ʻĀina I Ka Pono O Hawaiʻi: The Life of the Land is Perpetuated in Righteousness," featuring an opening blessing, hula, and cultural tribute honoring the Indigenous people of Hawaiʻi, followed by a panel discussion highlighting the history, presence, and contributions of African Americans in Hawaiʻi.

On Tuesday, June 16, "The Voices of Black Theater" explores the legacy and impact of Black playwrights and theater-makers through a dynamic panel discussion and monologue showcase celebrating bold and authentic voices.

Wednesday's program, "The Chosen: Expressions of African American Spirituality and Jubilee," offers an evening of gospel music, spirituals, and staged readings reflecting themes of faith, resilience, liberation, and joy.

Community members are invited to take center stage on Thursday, June 18, during an Open Mic Night featuring music, poetry, dance, comedy, and spoken word.

The festival culminates on Juneteenth, Friday, June 19, with "Black Girl Magic: How Black Women Have Changed the World," a gala and tribute honoring the brilliance, beauty, and impact of Black women through fashion, performance, storytelling, and a special tribute to Sharon Yarbrough. The evening will also feature the Ms. Juneteenth Pageant.

The celebration concludes Saturday, June 20, with a community Cookout & Finale Performance, bringing together local vendors, live entertainment, cultural activities, and family-friendly experiences in a joyful closing celebration.

Festival Schedule

Monday, June 15 | 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Ua Mau Ke Ea O Ka ʻĀina I Ka Pono O Hawaiʻi
Open to the public

Tuesday, June 16
The Voices of Black Theater
Doors Open: 7:00 p.m.
Show Begins: 7:30 p.m.
Open to the public

Wednesday, June 17 | 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
The Chosen
Open to the public

Thursday, June 18
Open Mic Night
Doors Open: 7:00 p.m.
Show Begins: 7:30 p.m.

Friday, June 19 | 5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Black Girl Magic

Saturday, June 20 | 12:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Cookout & Finale Performance
Open to the public

For tickets and additional information, visit manoavalleytheatre.com.

Around The BroadwayWorld: Top News, Reviews, Interviews & More from May 2026

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 12:03:21 PST

Around the BroadwayWorld is our monthly snapshot of the biggest stories making waves across the global theatre community. In this May 2026 edition, we're bringing you a fresh batch of standout reviews from regional stages across the country - from Brigadoon at Pasadena Playhouse in Los Angeles to The Phantom of the Opera at Seattle's Paramount Theatre and Pippin at Signature Theatre in DC.

Diane Paulus directs an immersive, David Bowie-inspired Life on Mars at American Repertory Theater, the producers of Japan's Gypsy revival walk back a planned title change, and we go behind the scenes with interviews spanning Adam Fields of the Beetlejuice national tour, The Muny's casting director Michael Baxter, Richard Kind on finally taking on Edna in Hairspray, and BWW's Kid Reporters chatting with the touring Von Trapp kids of The Sound of Music. Plus, get a first look at exciting new productions through performance videos and photos, including Anastasia at La Mirada Theatre, Dear Evan Hansen at Arden Theatre, Pippin at Signature Theatre, and the Manila cast of Jesus Christ Superstar - and so much more from across the BroadwayWorld.

Diane Paulus Will Direct Immersive David Bowie Inspired LIFE ON MARS at American Repertory Theater

Joshua Wright | Boston

Diane Paulus will direct Life on Mars, an immersive theatrical production set to David Bowie's music, as the inaugural production at the Goel Center for Creativity & Performance in May.

GYPSY in Japan: Producers Walk Back Title Change Ahead of 2026 Revival

Joshua Wright | Japan

The Japanese revival of GYPSY will retain its original title when it returns to the stage in 2026, reversing an earlier decision to present the production under the name 'Rose.'

Interviews

Interview: Adam Fields of BEETLEJUICE National Tour

Brock Mills | Jacksonville

For Adam Fields, returning to Jacksonville with the national tour of Beetlejuice the Musical isn’t just another stop, it’s a full-circle moment. The production will play in Jacksonville from May 12–17 at the Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts.

Interview: BWW’s 'Kid Reporters' Chat With THE SOUND OF MUSIC’s Touring Von Trapp Kids

Melissa Heckscher | Los Angeles

BroadwayWorld Los Angeles' kid reporters talk with the young touring cast of THE SOUND OF MUSIC to find out what it's like to be part of one of Broadway’s most iconic shows and what actually happens behind the curtain.

Interview: Chatting with The Muny's Casting Director Michael Baxter

James Lindhorst | St. Louis

Michael Baxter’s work will shine on The Muny stage during all 50 performances this summer. He led the efforts and had a hand in hiring every one of the 194 actors who will fill the principal and ensemble roles.

Interview: Richard Kind Talks Finally Taking on Edna in The Muny's HAIRSPRAY

James Lindhorst | St. Louis

When The Muny opens their production of Hairspray on June 15, 2026, the legendary Richard Kind will don Edna Turnblad’s housecoat and step into her fuzzy house slippers. Kind, star of stage, screen and film, calls it bucket list moments to get to perform at The Muny and play Edna all at the same time.

Reviews

Review: BRIGADOON at Pasadena Playhouse

Andrew Child | Los Angeles

Brava to Alexandra Silber for capturing all the heart and humor of Lerner’s original book with her thoughtful new adaptation and brava to Katie Spelman for dreaming up a Brigadoon that is as ebullient and spirited as it is deeply human.

Review: THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA at Paramount Theatre

Shelley Dean | Seattle

It’s almost unbelievable for me to admit that this was my first time seeing The Phantom of the Opera. Of course, I knew the iconic songs and had seen countless clips over the years, but experiencing the production live on stage for the first time was entirely different, haunting, and spine-chilling in the best way possible. From the chandelier drop to the monumental set pieces, the show truly lives up to its legendary reputation. The 2026 tour, directed by Harold Prince, serves as a revitalized version of the original production, featuring Maria Björnson’s iconic designs, musical staging, and choreography by Gillian Lynne. It is absolutely ravishing, and Seattle audiences are lining up hours early to witness the spectacle for themselves.

Review: PIPPIN at Signature Theatre

Aidan O'Connor | Washington, DC

Certain facets of the human condition are foundational to our very existence – change, connection, desire. One such particularly toxic universal truth is a constant need to be something more than we currently are. To search for happiness in external achievement rather than within ourselves, in our simple joys. Pippin at Signature Theatre breathes within that precise virulence, relatively orchestrated by a troupe of impeccably costumed and choreographed players. A feast for the eyes in all senses, Matthew Gardiner’s production surpasses even the highest of expectations.

Videos

Video: Watch La Mirada Theatre's ANASTASIA Star Lena Ceja Perform 'Journey to the Past'

Michael Major | Los Angeles

La Mirada Theatre has released new video footage of Lena Ceja rehearsing 'Journey to the Past' from their upcoming production of Anastasia. The production features Dillon Klena as Dmitry, a role first played on Broadway by his brother Derek Klena.

Photos/Video: DEAR EVAN HANSEN At Arden Theatre

A.A. Cristi | Philadelphia

Arden Theatre Company is now presenting DEAR EVAN HANSEN as the final production of its 2025/26 season, with performances continuing through July 5. New production photos and video have been released from the Philadelphia production, including footage of Evan A. Kaushesh performing “Waving Through a Window.”

Video: Watch 'Corner of the Sky' From Signature Theatre's PIPPIN

Michael Major | Washington, DC

Watch a video of Brayden Bambino performing 'Corner of the Sky' in Signature Theatre's production of Pippin. The in-the-round production is now running through July 26 with tickets available now.

Photos

Photos: Get a First Look at JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR in Manila

Oliver Oliveros | Philippines

The 2017 Olivier Award winner for Best Musical Revival, Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s rock opera 'Jesus Christ Superstar,' has officially opened at The Theatre at Solaire.

Review: Funny Girl at Diamond Head Theatre

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 10:48:26 PST

Well, hello, gorgeous!

The O’ahu theatre community has a new “Brake-out” star in the fabulous Becca Brake, playing the iconic turn of the century comedienne Fanny Brice. A recent transplant to Hawai’i, Brake left me speechless at her star turn in Funny Girl at Diamond Head Theatre, with her high-caliber combination of stunning vocals, spot-on comedic timing, and charm by the bucketful. This role is not for the weak, and Brake knocks it out of the park with ease, leading this production with commitment and panache. I was especially floored by her flawless execution of the 11 o’clock number “The Music That Makes Me Dance”, prompting the audience to erupt in a chorus of cheers and raucous applause. Brake’s performance is also laudable for never aping Barbara Streisand’s take on character, or even Lea Michele’s more recent turn in the Broadway revival;—Brake makes it entirely her own, and she was a joy to watch.

Director/Choreographer John Rampage’s love for this show is evident in much of his staging choices, especially in the larger dance and Follies numbers like “His Love Makes Me Beautiful” and “Rat-Tat-Tat-Tat”. Though we lose a bit of that sparkle in the smaller, more intimate moments between characters, the cast still makes this show zing. I was thoroughly charmed by David Weaver as the song-and-dance man Eddie Ryan, as he hoofed and spat snarky one-liners all across the stage. That man is a born performer, and this was a perfect role for him. Local legend Shari Lynn, who once tread the boards as Fanny herself, nearly stole the entire show as Fanny’s mother Mrs. Brice. Her comic timing was unmatched, and she made a meal out of every second she was on that stage. Her duet with Weaver, “Who Taught Her Everything”, was far and away my favorite non-Fanny performance of the night, as both performances were worthy of a Po'okela nomination. I enjoyed Mark Sanders as the debonair Nick Arnstein, though I did feel his relationship with Fanny fell a bit short, as if he had been directed to restrain his character’s magnetism. I do also need to highlight the hysterical niele aunties: Tracey Villager, Mary Rydell, and Betty Bolton, who brought the requisite meddlesome energy along with Lynn’s Mrs. Brice to Fanny’s world. Their snippy interplay was a treat, like watching an old vaudeville routine. Finally, the hardworking ensemble deserves their accolades, as they provided the sequined backbone of the entire show. Decked out in fabulous Ziegfeldian costumes (a spectacular showing by designer Kanani Sato), the denizens of Henry Street and Broadway filled the theatre with magic and glamor.

Don’t miss this incredible production, running now through June 14!

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL ʻAUANA Releases New Single 'Kele ka Moana' Ahead of Album

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 18:44:06 PST

BMG and Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group have announced the release of "Kele ka Moana," a new single from ʻAuana, Cirque du Soleil's first resident show in Hawaiʻi and the first in the company's 42-year history to be developed around a single place and its language.

Now streaming ahead of the full soundtrack release next month, and written entirely in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, the Hawaiian language, "Kele ka Moana" reflects the production's deep connection to the stories, traditions and cultural landscape of Hawaiʻi. The music of ʻAuana was developed in close collaboration with Native Hawaiian linguist Dr. Keao NeSmith, with composer Evan Duffy shaping the compositions to enhance the show's storytelling and blend Cirque du Soleil's signature acrobatics and theatricality with the musical spirit of Hawaiʻi.

"When approached with the opportunity to compose the music for 'Auana, I knew that it had to be created to carry the spirit, language and stories of Hawai'i, on and off the stage," said Evan Duffy. "The sound of 'Auana wouldn't be possible without the incredible team involved in every stop of the process, from the show's cultural creative team to the musicians, vocalists and studio collaborators who helped bring the music to life. Creating a soundtrack entirely in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi was especially meaningful because the language itself holds such depth, emotion and connection to place."

Listen to "Kele ka Moana" now HERE.

ʻAuana premiered at the OUTRIGGER Waikīkī Beachcomber Hotel in December 2024, in partnership with OUTRIGGER Hospitality Group. Guests can enjoy the live performance Wednesday through Sunday at 5:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. HST. Tickets are available at cirquedusoleil.com/auana.

EARTH, WIND & FIRE Show at MACC to Feature Added Hawaiian Artist

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 05:09:21 PST

Legendary music group and one of the best-selling artists of all time, Earth, Wind & Fire, returns to Maui after a 13-year absence on Sunday, June 14, at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. The timely return coincides with a new documentary EARTH, WIND & FIRE (TO BE CELESTIAL VS. THAT'S THE WEIGHT OF THE WORLD), premiering on HBO MAX Sunday, June 7. The two-hour film, directed by Academy Award and GRAMMY Award winner Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson, explores the band's musical origins, lasting cultural impact, and visionary leadership. To celebrate the milestone documentary release, specially priced reserved seating tickets priced at $88 will be available starting on Monday, June 8, for the upcoming Maui concert.

Just one week after their new documentary premieres, Earth, Wind & Fire performs at the MACC, under the shining stars in the A&B Amphitheater/Yokouchi Pavilion. An additional shining star, John Cruz has been added as a special guest to the lineup. John will be performing in an expanded trio format. Gates open at 5:00 pm, and an evening full of music begins at 7:00 PM.

Earth, Wind & Fire are a music institution. In 1969, music legend Maurice White birthed the music force named after the elements from his very own astrological charts. With soul as deep as the planet, Earth, Wind & Fire charted a history that will live on forever. They've scored eight number one hits and have sold more than 100 million albums worldwide. They've released 23 albums; eight of those albums went Double Platinum and hit the Top 10, making them one of the best-selling artists of all time. They've won an impressive nine GRAMMY Awards, including one for Lifetime Achievement (2012). In 2000, Earth, Wind & Fire was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, cementing their lasting impact on popular music, and in 2019, their contributions to arts and culture were acknowledged in Washington DC with the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors.

The music of Earth, Wind & Fire is more alive than ever as they continue to inspire new audiences and thrill those who have been with them from the beginning. Like the elements in their name, Earth, Wind & Fire's music has withstood ever-changing trends in the world and shows no sign of vanishing as they continue to create joy and uplifting music that will forever reach a sacred universal atmosphere. From the funky and infectious “Let's Groove” to the timeless dance classic “September” to the heartfelt “Reasons,” Earth, Wind & Fire's catalog of hits has become the soundtrack to many lives; now, then, and forever.

In keeping with the MACC's dedication to supporting the victims of the wildfires & floods, patrons for this and EVERY concert at the MACC are asked to bring non-perishable items for the Maui Food Bank. As an added incentive, anyone who brings a non-perishable donation will be entered into a drawing to win an Earth, Wind & Fire signed poster and merchandise bundle.

EARTH, WIND & FIRE Show at MACC to Feature Added Hawaiian Artist

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 05:09:21 PST

CAROUSEL, SPELLING BEE, and More Set For Hawaiʻi Performing Arts Festival's 2026 Season

Sun, 07 Jun 2026 20:30:17 PST

Rodgers & Hammerstein's Carousel, the Tony Award-winning The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and a lineup of concerts, chamber music, and contemporary opera will headline Hawaiʻi Performing Arts Festival's 2026 Season of Dreams, running July 1-19 on Hawaiʻi Island.

Now in its 22nd season, Hawaiʻi Performing Arts Festival (HPAF) will continue its mission of bringing exceptional young artists and distinguished faculty from around the world to Hawaiʻi for an immersive summer of performance, education, and artistic discovery. This year's Season of Dreams celebrates imagination, aspiration, and the transformative power of the performing arts through a vibrant series of events for audiences of all ages.

HPAF will present Rodgers & Hammerstein's Carousel on July 11 and 12 at Kahilu Theatre. Widely regarded as one of the greatest works in the American musical theatre canon, Carousel features an unforgettable score including "If I Loved You," "June Is Bustin' Out All Over," and "You'll Never Walk Alone." Accompanied by the HPAF Orchestra, this fully staged production promises to be one of the theatrical highlights of the summer.

Closing the Festival is the Tony Award-winning musical comedy The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, presented July 18 and 19 at Kahilu Theatre. Full of humor, heart, and audience interaction, the musical follows six quirky competitors navigating the challenges of growing up while pursuing their dreams one word at a time. Accompanied by the HPAF Pep Band, Spelling Bee offers a witty and heartfelt conclusion to the Festival season.

The Festival will open with a contemporary operatic double bill featuring acclaimed Composer-in-Residence Kamala Sankaram. Praised by The Washington Post as "one of the most exciting opera composers in the country," Sankaram's A.E. Reverie and Rise will be presented July 3 and 5 at Kahilu Theatre with the HPAF Orchestra. Together, these innovative works explore themes of possibility, representation, and the power of imagining a different future.

"In every great artistic journey, there is first a dream," said Executive Director Justin John Moniz. "This season celebrates the courage to imagine something bigger-whether that means pursuing a life in the arts, creating new work, building community, or simply seeing the world through a different lens. We invite audiences to join us for a summer filled with inspiration, discovery, and extraordinary performances."

In addition to its mainstage productions, HPAF's 2026 Season of Dreams features a diverse lineup of concerts and special events, including I Love a Piano with acclaimed pianist Phil Kadet, the chamber music concert Great Performances, the musical theatre showcase Broadway Bound, the operatic showcase Dueling Divas, free Behind the Curtain conversations with artists and creative teams, and community performances featuring HPAF's ʻOhana Singer Spotlight and High School Singer Vocal Showcase. Together, these events showcase the breadth of artistry and creativity that have defined Hawaiʻi Performing Arts Festival for more than two decades.

Founded in 2005, Hawaiʻi Performing Arts Festival has become one of the nation's leading summer performing arts training programs. Each year, the Festival welcomes artists from Hawaiʻi, across the United States, and around the world for intensive study and performance opportunities alongside internationally recognized faculty and guest artists.

The Festival remains deeply committed to accessibility and arts education. In 2026, nearly two-thirds of participating students received financial aid, reflecting HPAF's belief that artistic opportunity should be available to talented students regardless of financial circumstances.

Kumu Kahua Theatre and Bamboo Ridge Press Reveal June 2026 Prompt For Go Try PlayWrite

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 05:13:03 PST

Kumu Kahua Theatre, in collaboration with Bamboo Ridge Press have announced the June prompt for their monthly play writing contest, Go Try PlayWrite.

Thanks to a generous donation from an anonymous donor, contest winners will receive a $100.00 check as well as a subscription to Bamboo Ridge Press.

June 2026 prompt

A Rip Van Winkle prompt. Write a ten-page maximum scene about a person who wakes up in the future to find that something we know is bad for you at present is found to be good for you in the future. Smoking, hydrogenated fats, micro-plastics, climate change, Donald Trump, whatever is currently detrimental to us. Have fun.

Deadline to Enter: June 30th, 2026 at https://www.kumukahua.org.

Kumu Kahua Theatre was founded in 1971 by a group of graduate students at the
University of Hawaiʻi, with the original goal of producing locally-written experimental
works. The theater educates and trains new generations of aspiring theater
professionals through its living laboratory of productions and public play readings, and by holding classes and workshops in acting, improvisation and playwriting.

Kumu Kahua Theatre and Bamboo Ridge Press Reveal June 2026 Prompt For Go Try PlayWrite

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 05:13:03 PST

Kumu Kahua Theatre, in collaboration with Bamboo Ridge Press have announced the June prompt for their monthly play writing contest, Go Try PlayWrite.

Thanks to a generous donation from an anonymous donor, contest winners will receive a $100.00 check as well as a subscription to Bamboo Ridge Press.

June 2026 prompt

Deadline to Enter: June 30th, 2026 at https://www.kumukahua.org.

BroadwayWorld Launches Producer Fantasy Game

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 11:00:05 PST

Ever watched the weekly Broadway grosses roll in and thought you could pick the winners? Now you can put it to the test. BroadwayWorld has launched the Producer Fantasy Game, a free, season-long competition that lets theatre fans build a roster of Broadway shows and earn points based on how those productions actually perform at the box office. The draft window is open now.

How It Works

The setup is simple. During the draft window, you pick any six Broadway productions that opened this season. Drafting is non-exclusive, so there is no need to race a rival for a hot title. Any number of players can roster the same show.

From there, your shows go to work for you. Every week, each production on your roster earns fantasy points based on its reported box office grosses and capacity percentages. When Tony, Drama Desk, Drama League, and Outer Critics Circle nominations and wins are announced, your shows bank bonus points on top of that. And each week you can answer our Fantasy Forecast prediction questions for up to five bonus points per correct call.

Weekly Scoring

Each week, a show earns one base point for every $50,000 it grosses, so a $1 million week is worth 20 base points. On top of that, shows can earn bonuses: up to five points for filling seats (based on how close to full capacity the house ran), six points for grossing $2 million or more (or three points for grossing between $1 million and $2 million), and eight points if its gross jumped at least 15 percent from the week before. A show loses four points if its gross dropped at least 15 percent. If a show goes dark and reports no gross for a week, it scores zero for that week with no penalty.

The Fantasy Forecast

The Producer Fantasy Game is really two games in one. The first is the box office game: drafting shows and earning points from their weekly grosses and awards. The second is the Fantasy Forecast, a weekly set of prediction questions about what's happening on Broadway, where each correct answer is worth up to five points. You can play one or both.

We track them separately so you can shine at either. Your Producer score covers the box office game, your Forecast score covers your prediction results, and your Combined score adds the two together for the overall championship ranking. The leaderboard lets you toggle between Overall, Producers, and Forecasters, so a sharp predictor can top the Forecasters board even during a rough season for their roster, and a roster powerhouse can lead the Producers board without answering a single question.

Managing Your Roster

Your lineup stays at six shows all season, and you have plenty of room to maneuver. You get one free drop every week, three additional season drops to use anytime before the trade deadline, and free replacements whenever a show on your roster closes. New productions open throughout the season and become available the moment they start reporting grosses, so it pays to keep a transaction in your pocket for that buzzy new opening.

Join the Game

The Producer Fantasy Game is free for all BroadwayWorld users, and you can join any time the draft window is open. Draft within the first two weeks of the season and your roster is scored from opening week, so the earlier you get in, the more weeks you bank. Build your roster, make your predictions, and start climbing the leaderboard today.

A DRAG QUEEN CHRISTMAS to Return for 12th Year With 39-City National Tour

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 19:57:07 PST

“A Drag Queen Christmas” will return for its 12th year, launching a 39-city national tour this November - December. The 2026 edition is hosted by returning fan favorite and theatre star Nina West, and features an all-new merry lineup of drag superstars from the Emmy-winning RuPaul's Drag Race franchise.

Artist pre-sale begins Wednesday, June 3 at 10 a.m. (local time) with the code “TWELVE,” and general on sale begins Friday, June 5 at 10 a.m. (local time) at dragfans.com.

This year's cast includes:

Myki Meeks, Winner of RuPaul's Drag Race Season 18 (2026)
Nini Coco, Runner-up, Drag Race Season 18 (2026)
Darlene Mitchell, Drag Race Season 18 (2026)
Juicy Love Dion, Drag Race Season 18 (2026)
Discord Addams, Drag Race Season 18 (2026)
Crystal Methyd, Drag Race All Stars Season 11 (2026) & Drag Race Season 12 (2020)
Silky Ganache, Drag Race All Stars Season 11 (2026), Drag Race All Stars Season 6 (2021), Drag Race Season 11 (2019)

“A Drag Queen Christmas” is the world's premiere holiday drag showcase and a sensational theatrical experience that delivers high camp, over-the-top lip-sync performances, side-splitting comedy, elaborate costumes, Broadway-style staging, and a whole lot of heart—something we all seek during the chaos of the holiday season. With plenty of spectacular surprises in store, the show offers audiences a chance to see drag queens at the top of their game perform showstopping numbers of epic holiday proportions on revered theater stages across America. Each year, “A Drag Queen Christmas” provides an annual tradition for folks from all walks of life to come together and connect, find community, and celebrate the season with joy and laughter.

This dazzling, 18+ holiday extravaganza runs two hours and offers fans the chance to add-on a VIP Meet & Greet Experience—including early access to the venue, photos with the queens on stage, autographs, and exclusive tour merchandise.

A Drag Queen Christmas 2026 Tour Dates:

November 11 - Detroit, MI (Fisher Theatre)

November 12 - Rochester, NY (Kodak Center)

November 13 - Rutland, VT (Paramount Theatre)

November 14 - Portland, ME (Merrill Auditorium)

November 15 - Boston, MA (Emerson Colonial Theatre)

November 17 - Red Bank, NJ (Count Basie Center for the Arts)

November 18 - Morristown, NJ (Mayo Performing Arts Center)

November 19 - Washington, DC (Warner Theatre)

November 20 - Durham, NC (Durham Performing Arts Center)

November 21 - Wilmington, NC (Wilson Center - Cape Fear Community College)

November 22 - Philadelphia, PA (Fillmore)

November 24 - Pittsburgh, PA (Byham Theater)

November 25 - Columbus, OH (Palace Theatre)

November 27 - Chicago, IL (Riviera Theatre)

November 28 - Appleton, WI (Fox Cities Performing Arts Center)

November 29 - Omaha, NE (Orpheum Theater)

November 30 - Oklahoma City, OK (The Criterion)

December 1 - Des Moines, IA (Hoyt Sherman Place)

December 2 - Kansas City, MO (Uptown Theater)

December 4 - Denver, CO (Paramount Theatre)

December 5 - Salt Lake City, UT (Kingsbury Hall)

December 7 - Seattle, WA (Moore Theatre)

December 9 - Sacramento, CA (Channel 24)

December 10 - San Francisco, CA (Golden Gate Theatre)

December 11 - Stockton, CA (Bob Hope Theatre)

December 12 - Los Angeles, CA (The Wiltern)

December 13 - Santa Rosa, CA (Luther Burbank Center)

December 15 - Mesa, AZ (Mesa Arts Center)

December 16 - Tucson, AZ (Fox Tucson Theatre)

December 17 - El Paso, TX (Plaza Theatre)

December 19 - Austin, TX (ACL Live at The Moody Theater)

December 20 - Dallas, TX (Winspear Opera House)

December 21 - Wichita, KS (Orpheum Theatre)

December 22 - St.Louis, MO (The Factory)

December 23 - Knoxville, TN (Tennessee Theatre)

December 26 - Tampa Bay, FL (Straz Center for the Performing Arts)

December 27 - Fort Myers, FL (Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall)

December 28 - West Palm Beach, FL (Kravis Center for the Performing Arts)

December 29 - Jacksonville, FL (Florida Theatre)

Kumu Kahua Theatre Reveals Lineup For 56th Season

Fri, 29 May 2026 05:22:06 PST

History, mystery, and humor will all play a part in Kumu Kahua Theatre's 56th Season, as the downtown Honolulu theatre has announced its 2026-2027 lineup set to span genres and centuries of local life.

Curated by Artistic Director Harry Wong III, the season opens with The Queen's Will, based on historical events and powerfully written by Sean T.C. O'Malley. Hailiʻōpua Baker's Kupua follows—presenting two traditional Hawaiian mo‘olelo (stories) in one profound play experience. Next, Hannah Ii-Epstein's All Buss Up in a HI State: A Trilogy of Hawai‘i Plays will take the stage, centering around family and historical forces—followed by the 1930s-set Murder Finds a Medium from celebrated playwright Victoria Nalani Kneubuhl. The season concludes with Marion Lyman-Mersereau and Sara Ward's Grumpy Old Futz, a current comedy about widowers and their adventures in retirement.

"Through the support of our community, we are able to take risks and have artistic playfulness within the process of picking shows for our seasons, whether it is taking a chance on exciting new writers emerging from our workshops and contests, or celebrating venerated voices," said Kumu Kahua Theatre Artistic Director, Harry Wong III. "One of Dennis Carroll's dreams was for the theatre he helped found to cultivate a repertoire of plays that we could bring back for generations of audiences, and Kumu Kahua's 56th Season reflects that timeless quality, with local stories that need to be told about who we are and how we live."

The Queen's Will

by Sean T.C. O'Malley

August 20 - September 20, 2026

In the tumultuous early days of the Territory of Hawai‘i, Princess Theresa Owana Ka‘ōhelelani La‘anui Wilcox Belliveau fights for her freedom and her identity as she is accused of conspiracy to commit forgery of the last will and testament of Queen Lili‘uokalani. The Princess and her legal team struggle to expose the lies, contradictions, secrets, and bribes in the testimony of increasingly eccentric witnesses. Finally she must decide who she is and what she must do in the aftermath of this highly sensational 1918 trial. The Queen's Will is based on historical events which are little-known in the present day.

Kupua

by Hailiʻōpua Baker

October 29 - November 29, 2026

Kupua presents two traditional stories: “Ka ʻEnuhe” and “Ka Puhi a me Ka Loli,” that explore the perilous allure of hidden appetites that masquerade as love or comfort while quietly consuming the life of the ʻohana. In each story, kupua embody forces that drain sustenance and vitality under cover of night, and it is only through vigilance and decisive action that balance is restored. Together, the plays suggest that survival depends on seeing clearly, confronting deception, and protecting the bonds of family and community from what would quietly devour them.

All Buss Up in a HI State: A Trilogy of Hawai‘i Plays

by Hannah Ii-Epstein

January 21 - February 21, 2027

This trilogy reveals how personal choices are shaped by historical forces, and how cycles of loss can echo through families as powerfully as love. Yet even in their darkest moments, these stories insist on the resilience of ʻohana and the enduring connection to the ʻāina. Spanning generations, the three plays offer a lyrical and unflinching portrait of a community confronting colonization, commodification, and addiction—while searching for healing in the land, in memory, and in each other.

Not One Batu

Meet Honey Girl: a former meth user, now an expert drug dealer. At a Hale‘iwa park bench one morning, Honey Girl meets up with customers and friends, rival dealers and her addict mother, all linked together by the meth they buy or sell, use or reject. Sometimes humorous but ultimately harrowing, Chicago-based playwright Hannah Ii-Epstein witnesses 60 minutes in one woman's struggle to stay clean in a world turned upside-down by meth.

Pakalōlō Sweet

Junior Boy is a young Hawaiian man who comes from a lineage of marijuana growers on the North Shore of Oʻahu and is now proudly expecting a baby with his girlfriend, Nani. During a night of karaoke, beer, and weed, the medical uses, benefits, and cultural aspects of marijuana in pre-contact Hawai‘i are explored. What follows is unexpected and heartbreaking as we witness Junior Boy's struggle to do what he believes is best for his ‘ohana. This prequel to Not One Batu follows Papa's family—and the inevitable hardships arising when indigenous values are systematically marginalized.

Aloha Fry-Day

In many indigenous cultures, hallucinogens are inextricably linked to rituals celebrating liminality; their consciousness-expanding qualities can also induce therapeutic emotional release from trauma. But during a night of jubilant euphoria in the 1990s, Sherrie's unresolved memories erupt into tragedy. The final act in Ii-Epstein's North Shore Oʻahu drug trilogy, Aloha Fry-Day follows four friends: Sherrie, Sistah, Lei, and Jason, as they meet in the forest to mourn a friend's death by spreading his ashes and taking hallucinogens. What they find on their mission is unexpected as they share stories which are haunted by the ghosts of the ʻāina.

Murder Finds a Medium

by Victoria Nalani Kneubuhl

March 25 - April 25, 2027

It is 1936, and Katya Denikin is a spiritual medium who has become entangled in the suspicious death of foreman Richard Morgan at an isolated South Kohala ranch station. As the investigation proceeds, secrets of cruelty, blackmail, and revenge ripple through the ranch community. The subsequent death of Mrs. Morgan deepens the mystery, and in a climactic séance, the truth emerges. Blending mystery, humor and the supernatural, this play probes justice, spectacle, and the cost of buried truths.

Grumpy Old Futz

by Marion Lyman-Mersereau and Sara Ward

May 27 - June 27, 2027

This buoyant yet tender comedy follows Masa and Yosh--played by Kumu Kahua legends DannSeki and Allan Okubo--widowers enjoying the retired life of hanging out at the veterans hall, hitting on the wait staff, and talking story. That is until Masa persuades his son, Johnny, and Yosh to join him on an Alaskan canoe trip complete with mishaps, campfire laughter, and mosquitoes.

Kumu Kahua Theatre Reveals Lineup For 56th Season

Fri, 29 May 2026 05:22:06 PST

The Queen's Will

by Sean T.C. O'Malley

August 20 - September 20, 2026

Kupua

by Hailiʻōpua Baker

October 29 - November 29, 2026

All Buss Up in a HI State: A Trilogy of Hawai‘i Plays

by Hannah Ii-Epstein

January 21 - February 21, 2027

Not One Batu

Pakalōlō Sweet

Aloha Fry-Day

Murder Finds a Medium

by Victoria Nalani Kneubuhl

March 25 - April 25, 2027

Grumpy Old Futz

by Marion Lyman-Mersereau and Sara Ward

May 27 - June 27, 2027

SONIC LIVE IN CONCERT to Launch Global Tour With US and UK Premieres

Wed, 27 May 2026 20:59:39 PST

As Sonic the Hedgehog celebrates 35 years as one of the most iconic video game franchises of all time, Senbla and SEGA today announced Sonic Live In Concert (www.sonicliveinconcert.com). This new concert experience brings the music and moments of the beloved video games to the stage.

Featuring iconic moments and music from the very first game in 1991 through today, the production will debut in the U.S. at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on September 26, 2026, before making its European premiere at London's Eventim Apollo on September 30. The U.S. tour will visit more than 30 cities nationwide, and a UK tour will follow in February 2027. More European dates will be announced at a later time. Tickets will go on sale May 29, 2026, with pre-sale tickets going on sale on May 28, 2026.

As part of a global rollout celebrating the franchise's milestone anniversary, Sonic Live In Concert features the most recognizable music from the Sonic universe, performed by a live ensemble alongside rock musicians, vocalists, and electronic elements. The setlist includes fan-favorite tracks and an incredible array of music from the very first game through to today accompanied by synchronized HD footage of iconic levels, moments and boss battles from the franchise. Audiences can expect musical Easter eggs woven into the arrangements, adding an extra layer of discovery that brings Sonic's world vividly to life on stage.

The concert also highlights the creative legacy behind Sonic's music from legendary composers Jun Senoue and Tomoya Ohtani, whose work has helped define Sonic's sound across generations.

"Sonic has some of the most distinct and celebrated music in gaming," says Ollie Rosenblatt, CEO of Senbla. "We wanted to create a live show that stays true to what the fans love about Sonic's music, from the electronic and melodic themes to high-energy rock."

“Music has always been a core part of Sonic's identity, shaping how fans experience this world across generations," said Ivo Gerscovich, Chief Business & Brand Officer at SEGA of America, Inc. "With this concert, we're looking forward to celebrating that legacy in a live setting; bringing together the energy, emotion, and creativity of Sonic's music in a way that both longtime fans and new audiences can enjoy together.”

Since his debut in 1991, Sonic the Hedgehog has become a global entertainment icon spanning video games, film, television, and consumer products. With renewed momentum driven by recent film releases, new game titles, and a global brand campaign tied to the 35th anniversary, the franchise continues to reach new generations of fans worldwide.

The performance schedule includes:

September 20, 2026 – Spokane, Washington – First Interstate Center for the Arts
September 22, 2026 – Seattle, WA – Paramount Theatre (preview)
September 23, 2026 – Portland, OR – Keller Auditorium (preview)
September 25, 2026 – San Diego, CA – San Diego Civic Theatre (preview)
September 26, 2026 – Hollywood, CA – Dolby Theatre
September 27, 2026 – Riverside, CA – Fox Performing Arts Center
September 29, 2026 – Mesa, AZ – Mesa Arts Center - Ikeda Theater
September 30, 2026 – London, U.K. – London Eventim Apollo
October 1, 2026 – Las Vegas, NV – Resorts World Theatre
October 2, 2026 – Fresno, CA – Saroyan Theatre
October 3, 2026 – San Jose, CA – San Jose Civic
October 4, 2026 – Reno, NV – Grand Theatre at The Grand Sierra Resort & Casino
October 6, 2026 – Denver, CO – Temple Hoyne Buell Theatre
October 8, 2026 – Irving, TX – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
October 9, 2026 – Houston, TX – Bayou Music Center
October 10, 2026 – San Antonio, TX – Boeing Center at Tech Port
October 11, 2026 – Oklahoma City, OK – The Criterion
October 13, 2026 – Wichita, KS – Orpheum Theatre
October 15, 2026 – Omaha, NE – Orpheum Theater
October 16, 2026 – Peoria, IL – Prairie Home Alliance Theater
October 17, 2026 – Louisville, KY – The Louisville Palace Theatre
October 18, 2026 – St. Louis, MO – The Factory
October 19, 2026 – Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium
October 20, 2026 – Mobile, AL – Saenger Theatre
October 22, 2026 – Brandon, MS – City Hall Live
October 23, 2026 – Huntsville, AL – VBC Mark C. Smith Concert Hall
October 24, 2026 – Atlanta, GA – Fox Theatre
October 25, 2026 – Greensboro, NC – Steven Tanger Center for Performing Arts
October 27, 2026 – Charlotte, NC – Ovens Auditorium
October 28, 2026 – North Charleston, SC – North Charleston Performing Arts Center
October 29, 2026 – Jacksonville, FL – Florida Theatre
October 30, 2026 – St. Petersburg, FL – Duke Energy Center for the Arts - Mahaffey Theater
October 31, 2026 – Fort Lauderdale, FL – Broward Center for the Performing Arts - Au Rene Theater
November 1, 2026 – Orlando, FL – Walt Disney Theater at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
February 17, 2027 – Glasgow, UK – Royal Concert Hall
February 18, 2027 – Edinburgh, UK – Usher Hall
February 19, 2027 – Manchester, UK – Bridgewater Hall
February 20, 2027 – Birmingham, UK – Symphony Hall

For more information, tour dates, and tickets, visit www.sonicliveinconcert.com.

Kumu Kahua Theatre and Bamboo Ridge Press Name April Go Try PlayWrite Winner

Wed, 27 May 2026 05:30:01 PST

The April Go Try PlayWrite winner is Jane M. Lee for her piece Midnight at the Pancake Shack. Jane M. Lee is a New York City-based playwright whose work has been performed across the United States as well as in Canada, Hong Kong, and London. Her short play Trite and True was produced Off-Broadway in the Downtown Urban Arts Festival at Theatre Row.

Her short play Family Emergency was praised for “fus[ing] the hostility of a Jerry Springer program with the warmth and irony of an O. Henry story.” She was a semifinalist for Chisa Hutchinson's Signpost Fellowship for writers of color. Her play Closet Space won the College of Charleston's Todd McNerney National Playwriting Award and was developed at the Music Theatre of Connecticut and the Green Mountain Playwright Retreat. Her play At the Door received a developmental workshop at The Workshop Theater of New York City.

April 2026 prompt was: An “Are you ready to order, yet?” prompt. Write a ten-page maximum scene or an eight-page maximum monologue about a restaurant where the food is great, but the service sucks. It could be a sit-down restaurant, a plate lunch counter, a food truck, wherever you go buy food that you no can resist. (This prompt was inspired by the cast of Blu's Hanging.)

The company is now accepting entries for the May contest HERE

Each month Kumu Kahua Theatre co-sponsors this playwriting contest with Bamboo Ridge Press in their combined effort to nurture local playwrights and authors. Each month a different judge is pulled from amongst the theatre practitioners in the Hawaii theatre community. All plays submitted are read by Kumu Kahua Theatre Artistic Director, Harry Wong III.

Contest Rules: Each entrant must write a 5-page monologue and/or a 10-page scene based on monthly requirements. Each month a new prompt will be chosen by Kumu Kahua Theatre's Artistic Director. The prompt will be given on or by the 1st of the month and the due date will always be the last day of the month. All entries must be written in traditional play format; instructions on this format can be found here: https://www.dramatistsguild.com/script-formats courtesy of the Dramatists Guild.

There will be one winner each month. Scripts will be submitted to the judges anonymously. So please do not put your name on the cover of your script. Winners will receive $100.00 and a subscription to Bamboo Ridge Press.

Kumu Kahua Theatre and Bamboo Ridge Press Name April Go Try PlayWrite Winner

Wed, 27 May 2026 05:30:01 PST

The company is now accepting entries for the May contest HERE

Conference on Literature and Hawai‘i’s Children Announces Honorees and Schedule

Sun, 24 May 2026 13:01:08 PST

Children’s Literature Hawai‘i (CLH) has announced its free Twenty-Third Biennial Conference on Literature and Hawai‘i’s Children, taking place June 5-7, 2026, in person at Honolulu Theatre for Youth's Tenney Theatre and Chaminade University of Honolulu and virtually via Zoom.

This year’s conference theme is “Discovering the Magic of Children’s Literature.”

Free and open to the public, the Conference welcomes teachers, librarians, academics, aspiring authors and illustrators, children and families, and anyone with an interest in literature for young people.

This year, CLH will be inducting the third member of its Hall of Fame: Graham (“Sandy”) Salisbury. Probably best known for his Under the Blood-Red Sun, a novel set during the dark days of Pearl Harbor, Sandy has also authored three other World War II novels set in Hawai‘i, two collections of local short stories, four standalone novels set in Hawai‘i, and the delightful Calvin Coconut series, evincing his own elementary school experiences on the Windward side of Oahu. Sandwiching his writing career between being a musician when younger and now an accomplished painter. Sandy joins the previously inducted Hall of Fame members James Rumford and Tammy Yee. All three have demonstrated lengthy and distinguished service to children’s literature in the state of Hawai‘i. The conference will end with Sandy’s induction Sunday afternoon.

CLH will welcome three featured guests for this year’s conference: authors Kristiana Kahakauwila and Kelly Murashige, and illustrator Jing Jing Tsong.

Kristiana Kahakauwila is a Kānaka Maoli author and associate professor in the department of English at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, where she directs the creative writing program. She is the author of This is Paradise: Stories and Clairboyance.

Kelly Murashige is a local Hawai‘i author whose work has resonated with young readers across the Islands. She is the author of The Lost Souls of Benzaiten and The Yomigaeri Tunnel.

Jing Jing Tsong is an author-illustrator whose imaginative and vibrant artwork has graced the pages of books including the graphic novel Fake Chinese Sounds. Her illustrations bring warmth, humor, and cultural depth to children’s literature.

On Friday, our opening festivities at Tenney Theatre include readings from the featured guests, scenes from their books dramatized by the Honolulu Theatre for Youth, and questions from the audience. On Sunday, “Story Magic” for children 5-12 features various crafts based on the work of our featured guests (including printmaking led by featured illustrator Jing Jing Tsong) and, in connection with the conference theme, a magician.

On Saturday and Sunday, the conference will feature keynote speeches from the featured guests, as well as Special Professional Sessions, a children’s art and writing contest award ceremony, and an array of presentations on creating, interpreting, and using children’s literature. Sessions will span topics of interest across today’s literary landscape, with special attention to Hawai‘i’s uniquely multilingual and multicultural literary environment. All sessions will be held both in person and on Zoom, with recordings available online after the conference. Of special interest is The Ten-Minute Story: Teen and Adult Workshop led by featured author-illustrator Jing Jing Tsong. This hands-on session welcomes everyone from age 12 or 6th grade on up. In a Conference first, adults are invited too! Participants will work on developing an idea and characters for a one-page graphic panel.

Review: YELLOW FACE at Mānoa Valley Theatre

Sun, 24 May 2026 09:19:40 PST

At what point does the mask you wear become your face?

In Yellow Face, playwright David Henry Hwang serves up a mockumentary-style seriocomedy chronicling nearly two decades of his life and career, centering issues like racial identity, authenticity in art, and the constant struggle against Sinophobia and “yellow peril” rhetoric.

Or does it?

The line between what is fact and what is fiction—what is the mask and what is the face—is at the core of the show, perhaps best represented by the fact that Hwang the playwright is, himself, the main character. Just below the surface of the “mask” of David Henry Hwang the Character (billed as “DHH”, and expertly played by Reyn Afaga) lies the “face” of David Henry Hwang The Man. Both are the Tony-winning playwright of M. Butterfly, outspoken activists, proud children of immigrants, and pillars of the Asian-American community. But only DHH takes us on an emotional journey through the difficulties that minorities face in the theatre community and in society at large, all through the lens of a casting SNAFU that lands a Caucasian man in an Asian role.

To say this show has not lost its cultural relevance since it debuted in 2007 is both accurate and sobering, but also does not capture the full range of questions it asks the audience to consider: Who is “Asian enough”? Who is “White enough”? Who gets to decide? Why does it matter? Considering how significant the hapa population in Hawai’i is, Yellow Face is not asking us anything new, but rather reflects back to us the questions we ask ourselves every day, the Imposter Syndrome that nearly all of us experience to some extent. Despite the late third-act rug-pull which made moot my emotional investment, I was still glad to see that Mānoa Valley Theatre chose to mount this production in the face of this current political and social climate.

As DHH, Afaga wears many hats: narrator, hero, coward, son, celebrity, and de facto cultural ambassador, to name a few. He wears them all with style and a thoroughly grounded energy that never feels overdone or shticky. The comedic moments he is granted come naturally, organically, and provide the necessary levity to understand that Hwang is lampooning himself as much as any other entity under fire. While I feel it is worth it to see Yellow Face for Afaga’s performance alone, the rest of the cast is quite strong as well. Nicholas Gianforti as Marcus Gee was exceptional as the sole Caucasian (and plot device), and his push-and-pull chemistry with Afaga was delightful to watch. Sam Bui was a standout in his many roles, but it was his performance as “HYH”(Henry Yuan Hwang, David Henry Hwang’s father) that made me misty-eyed, especially during his monologue about what motivated him to find his “real life” in America as a young Chinese immigrant. I was also quite impressed by Brandon Caban as “Name Withheld on Advice of Council” (a “fictionalized” version of New York Times investigative reporter Jeff Gerth), which he played with utmost sincerity and menace.

Director Reiko Ho states that she envisioned this play as taking place in the playwright’s mind, which I felt was accurately represented in the incredibly sparse set (Willie Sabel), further complimented by Costume Designer Amber Lehua Baker’s neutral palette and basic pieces, punctuated with bright accessories when a change of character was required (about forty in total, played by everyone except Afaga and Gianforti). Against such a barren landscape, the lighting (Janine Myers) and sound (Sarah Velasco) did a lot of heavy lifting, with spotlights providing a semi-cinematic framing device for the show’s many quick cutaways, and a variety of typewriters, phones, Dong folk songs, and some pointed choices of music, including Styx’s “Mr. Roboto” during preshow and Mark Jonathan David’s Vanilla Ice parody song “Rice Rice Baby” for curtain call.

Ho mentions in her “From the Director” that one of her favorite parts of this production was “the rich discussions and debates” that were shared among the team around their “experiences as Asians and Asian in America today”. I would be fascinated to know what came out of those discussions, as I suspect that this show hit rather close to home for all of them. And while I do find that Harvard Crimson reviewer Vineeta Vijayaraghavan’s 1993 critique of Hwang’s Face Value (the production at the center of Yellow Face’s conflict) is unfortunately also applicable to Yellow Face, namely that “Hwang forgets the cardinal rule and lets his characters tell rather than show”, Ho manages to add more theatrical substance than the script alone provides in order to underscore the storytelling. All in all, well worth a trip to MVT to catch this vibrant show before it closes on May 31.

Ginger Minj to Present 2026 HOKUS POKUS LIVE! Tour With Sapphira Cristál, Jujubee and Landon Cider

Wed, 20 May 2026 14:46:36 PST

"RuPaul's Drag Race" All Stars 10 Winner Ginger Minj will take flight this fall with the Hokus Pokus Live! tour, co-starring Sapphira Cristál ("RuPaul's Drag Race Season 16"), Jujubee ("RuPaul's Drag Race" and "DRAG: The Musical") and Landon Cider ("Dragula"). Written, directed, and co-produced by Minj, traveling across 29 North American cities from September 17 - November 3 in major theaters!

Artist presale begins Friday May 22nd at 12 p.m. Eastern (CODE: SPELLS), and tickets go on general sale Monday, May 26th at 12 p.m. Eastern at HokusPokusLive.com (VIP packages are also available).

Hokus Pokus Live! is a true love letter to the classic film! This enchanting new narrative production promises an evening of raucous laughter, unparalleled talent, stunning vocals, spellbinding performances, jaw-dropping drag artistry, and unforgettable entertainment as these queens and king bring their unique brand of sorcery to stages across North America.

This marks the fourth iteration of Hokus Pokus Live! but don't expect to see the same show you've seen before. Ginger's masterful work as a writer will showcase new songs that connect with the characters of the story we all know and love, and adds in the magic of each new cast member that only they can bring, while still staying true to the heart of the original film.

In a groundbreaking move for the drag industry, Hokus Pokus Live! is proud to introduce a New Digital Lottery. This system, the first of its kind for a drag tour, will offer fans the chance to win exclusive discounted tickets and front-row experiences. Lottery sign ups begin at 9 a.m local time the day before the scheduled show and end at 3 p.m the day before the scheduled show at HokusPokusLive.com. Winners will be notified and will have 60 minutes to claim their discounted tickets!

Beyond the incredible performances, the show is packed with "many other surprises" that will happen throughout the night. From immersive audience interaction to jaw-dropping special effects and unexpected guest appearances, no two nights of the tour will be exactly the same.

2026 Tour Dates:

September 17 – Edmonton, AB

Horowitz Theatre

September 18 – Calgary, AB

MacEwan Hall

September 19 – Kelowna, BC

Kelowna Community Theatre

September 21 – Victoria, BC

McPherson Playhouse

September 24 – Honolulu, HI

Hawaii Theatre

September 27 – Seattle, WA

Moore Theatre

September 28 – Portland, OR

Aladdin Theater

October 1 – Boise, ID

The Egyptian Theatre

October 2 – Spokane, WA

Bing Crosby Theater

October 4 – Salt Lake City, UT

Jeanne Wagner Theatre

October 6 – San Francisco, CA

The Warfield

October 7 – Los Angeles, CA

Orpheum Theatre

October 8 – Las Vegas, NV

House Of Blues

October 11 – Anaheim, CA

House Of Blues

October 12 – San Diego, CA

The Observatory

October 13 – Phoenix, AZ

Orpheum Theatre

October 15 – Denver, CO

Fillmore Auditorium

October 17 – Iowa City, IA

The Englert Theatre

October 18 – Chicago, IL

Riviera Theatre

October 19 – Detroit, MI

The Fillmore

October 20 – Washington, D.C.

Warner Theatre

October 22 – Columbus, OH

Southern Theatre

October 26 – Boston, MA

Emerson Colonial Theatre

October 28 – Philadelphia, PA

Keswick Theatre

October 29 – New York City, NY

Town Hall

October 31 – Charleston, SC

The Charleston Music Hall

November 1 – Orlando, FL

The Plaza Live

November 2 – Atlanta, GA

Center Stage Theater

November 3 – Tampa, FL

Tampa Theatre

VIP Packages:

THE COVEN ULTRA VIP PACKAGE:

Each "The Coven Ultra VIP" Upgrade Package includes:

Priority Extra Early Entry to the Venue
Intimate Coven Meeting with The Witches
Access to an Exclusive Exhibit of Tour Costumes and Props
Professional Photos and Meet & Greet with the Cast
Early Access to Shop Tour Merch
Exclusive Coven VIP Gift
Exclusive Tour Poster Signed by The Cast

RIP (REALLY IMPORTANT PERSON) PACKAGE

Each "RIP (Really Important Person)" Upgrade Package includes:

Early Entry to the Venue
Access to an Exclusive Exhibit of Tour Costumes and Props
Professional Photos and Meet & Greet with The Cast
Early Access to Shop Tour Merch
Exclusive Tour Poster Signed by The Cast

THE NOTEBOOK North American Tour Adds 26 Cities to 2026-27 Route

Tue, 19 May 2026 08:13:15 PST

The North American Tour of THE NOTEBOOK hasannounced engagements for the 2026-27 season, adding 26 cites to the previously announced route, including stops in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, and Houston. The tour began performances on September 6, 2025, at Playhouse Square in Cleveland, Ohio, and has welcomed over 500,000 patrons to date.

Read the reviews for the touring production of The Notebook.

Allie and Noah, two people from different worlds, share a lifetime of love despite the forces that threaten to pull them apart in a deeply moving portrait of the enduring power of love. Based on the book that has sold millions of copies worldwide and a film that is one of the highest-grossing romantic dramas of all-time, the musical adaptation of THE NOTEBOOK played Broadway at the Schoenfeld Theatre from March 2024 to December 2024 following a critically acclaimed world premiere engagement at Chicago Shakespeare Theater in the fall of 2022.

THE NOTEBOOK features music and lyrics by multi-platinum singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson and a book by playwright Bekah Brunstetter (writer and producer on NBC's “This Is Us,” The Cake). The production is directed by Michael Greif (Dear Evan Hansen, Next to Normal, RENT) and Schele Williams (Aida, The Wiz), with choreography by Katie Spelman (Associate Choreographer on Moulin Rouge! The Musical).

The creative team for the tour includes scenic design by David Zinn and Brett J. Banakis, costume design by Paloma Young, lighting design by Ben Stanton, sound design by Nevin Steinberg, hair and wig design by Mia Neal, and projection design by Lucy Mackinnon. The production's music supervisor is Carmel Dean, who also collaborated on arrangements with Ingrid Michaelson and on orchestrations with John Clancy, and the music director is Tina Faye. Casting by The Telsey Office, Patrick Goodwin, CSA.

The production was recognized with three 2024 Tony Award nominations (Best Book of a Musical, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical), Drama League Award nominations for Outstanding Production of a Musical, two Distinguished Performance Awards and the Founders Award for Excellence in Directing, Drama Desk Award nominations for Outstanding Featured Performance in a Musical, and an Outer Critics Circle Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Musical.

2026-2027 Tour Dates:

Detroit, MI — Fisher Theatre
September 22 – October 4, 2026

Dayton, OH — Schuster Center
October 6 – 11, 2026

Grand Rapids, MI — DeVos Performance Hall
October 13 – 18, 2026

East Lansing, MI — Wharton Center
October 27 – November 1, 2026

Richmond, VA — Altria Theater
November 3 – 8, 2026

Pittsburgh, PA — Benedum Center
November 10 – 15, 2026

Schenectady, NY — Proctors
December 1 – 6, 2026

Boston, MA — Emerson Colonial Theatre
December 8 – 20, 2026

Oklahoma City, OK — Civic Center Music Hall
December 29, 2026 – January 3, 2027

Houston, TX — Hobby Center
January 5 – 10, 2027

Dallas, TX — Winspear Opera House
January 12 – 24, 2027

New Orleans, LA — Saenger Theatre
January 26 – 31, 2027

Hershey, PA — Hershey Theatre
February 3 – 7, 2027

Providence, RI — PPAC
February 9 – 14, 2027

Rochester, NY — Auditorium Theatre
February 16 – 21, 2027

Fayetteville, AR — Walton Arts Center
February 24 – 28, 2027

Huntsville, AL — Von Braun Center
March 2 – 7, 2027

Ft. Lauderdale, FL — Broward Center
March 9 – 14, 2027

Ft. Myers, FL — Barbara B. Mann Hall
March 16 – 21, 2027

Naples, FL — Artis—Naples
March 23 – 28, 2027

North Charleston, SC — North Charleston PAC
March 30 – April 4, 2027

Birmingham, AL — BJCC Concert Hall
April 6 – 11, 2027

Atlanta, GA — Fox Theatre
April 13 – 18, 2027

Tucson, AZ — Centennial Hall
April 27 – May 2, 2027

San Jose, CA — Center for the Performing Arts
May 4 – 9, 2027

Sacramento, CA — SAFE Credit Union PAC
May 11 – 16, 2027

FUNNY GIRL Now Playing at Diamond Head Theatre This Spring and Summer

Mon, 18 May 2026 14:53:59 PST

Funny Girl is coming to Diamond Head Theatre. This bittersweet comedy is the story of the indomitable Fanny Brice, a girl from the Lower East Side who dreamed of a life on the stage. Everyone told her she'd never be a star, but then something funny happened -she became one of the most beloved performers in history, shining brighter than the brightest lights of Broadway.

Fanny's rise to super-stardom is explored through Bob Merrill and Jule Styne's unforgettable score, which includes "I'm the Greatest Star," "Don't Rain On My Parade," and "People." Showing through June 14.

**Advisory: Funny Girl is recommended for ages 10 and up. The listed age is a recommendation; please use your own discretion when making a decision for your young-theatergoer.

YELLOW FACE Extended at Mānoa Valley Theatre Ahead of Opening Night

Fri, 15 May 2026 16:37:39 PST

Mānoa Valley Theatre is continuing its 2026 season with Yellow Face May 14-24, 2026, with a just-announced extension of two additional shows on May 30th and 31st. The lines between truth and fiction blur with hilarious and moving results in David Henry Hwang's unreliable memoir, recently on Broadway starring Daniel Dae Kim.

Asian American playwright DHH, fresh off his Tony Award win for M. Butterfly, leads a protest against the casting of Jonathan Pryce as the Eurasian pimp in the original Broadway production of Miss Saigon, condemning the practice as "yellowface." His position soon comes back to haunt him when he mistakes a Caucasian actor, Marcus G. Dahlman, for mixed race, and casts him in the lead Asian role of his own Broadway-bound comedy, Face Value. When DHH discovers the truth of Marcus' ethnicity, he tries to conceal his blunder to protect his reputation as an Asian American role model, by passing the actor off as a "Siberian Jew." Meanwhile, DHH's father, Henry Y. Hwang, an immigrant who loves the American Dream and Frank Sinatra, finds himself ensnared in the same web of late-1990's anti-Chinese paranoia that also leads to the "Donorgate" scandal and the arrest of Los Alamos nuclear scientist Wen Ho Lee. As he clings to his old multicultural rhetoric, this new racist witch hunt forces DHH to confront the complex and ever-changing role that "face" plays in American life today.

The cast includes Reyn Afaga as DHH (David Henry Hwang), Sam Bui as HYH (Henry Y. Hwang), Elizabeth Ung as Leah Ann Cho and others, Brandon Caban as Announcer/NWOAOC, Nicholas Gianforti as Marcus Gee, David Tang as Rodney Hatamiya and others, Anastacia Narrajos as Jane Krakowski and others, and Angeline Roselani Han as Carla Chang and others. The production team includes Director – Reiko Ho, Assistant to the Director – Erin O'Hara, Stage Manager – Aly Sutton, Set Designer/Scenic Artist – Willie Sabel. Lighting Designer/Master Electrician – Janine Myers, Co-Master Electrician – Chris Gouveia, Sound Designer –Sarah Velasco, Costume Designer – Amber Lehua Baker, and Props Designer – Kelly Belle.

Performances are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 3:00 p.m. There will be a special Saturday matinee will be held on May 23rd. All performances take place at Mānoa Valley Theatre, 2833 East Manoa Road. Doors open 30 minutes prior to each performance. The play is presented in two acts with one intermission. No outside food or drink permitted. Tickets range from $25 to $47 and are available by phone at (808) 988-6131 or online.

StageMag Launches Programmable PDF Editor for Digital Theater Programs

Thu, 21 May 2026 10:04:02 PST

StageMag, the digital show program platform from BroadwayWorld, today launched its new PDF Editor to all producers and stage managers using the service. The tool gives editors granular, real-time control over how their digital program renders as a downloadable or printable PDF - the format most often used in lobby printouts, accessibility packets, and press kits.

Until now, the StageMag-to-PDF path was a one-shot export: whatever fit, fit. The new editor turns the export into a configurable surface. Each section of a program including the cast list, song list, director's note, bios, advertisements, sponsor pages, articles, listings and more — can be individually told how to paginate. Editors choose between three strategies per section:

Flow: natural pagination, sections may split across pages.
Own page: start the section on a fresh page.
Fit one page: start fresh and scale the section to occupy the whole page.

A live preview pane re-renders the PDF on every change, so editors see the final printed result as they work rather than guessing and re-exporting.Beyond the strategy picker, the editor exposes a set of advanced controls familiar to anyone who has hand-tuned a long-form print document: hide-element selectors (drop sponsor strips or vestigial nav from the print version), forced page breaks before or after named elements, a draggable section-order list, custom header/footer/watermark text, and a custom-CSS escape hatch for theaters whose programs follow a house style.

The release also includes paper-level controls including US Letter or A4, portrait or landscape, three margin presets, three type scales, and a "booklet" mode that adds a binding gutter for stapled lobby printouts.

The PDF Editor is available now to all StageMag-enabled productions at no additional cost, under the Share PDF tab in the program editor. Existing programs render with sensible defaults; the new controls are opt-in and per-production.

About StageMag

StageMag is BroadwayWorld's digital playbill platform, used by Broadway, Off-Broadway, regional, university, and community theater productions to publish interactive programs that audiences open on their phones from a QR code in the lobby. StageMag is offered as a free service to participating productions.

About BroadwayWorld

Founded in 2003, BroadwayWorld is the largest theater website in the world, covering Broadway, the West End, and theater news, reviews, interviews, and resources across all 50 US states and 45 countries.

YELLOW FACE To Be Presented This Spring Mānoa Valley Theatre

Wed, 06 May 2026 19:48:33 PST

Mānoa Valley Theatre continues its 2026 season with Yellow Face May 14-24, 2026. The lines between truth and fiction blur with hilarious and moving results in David Henry Hwang's unreliable memoir, recently on Broadway starring Daniel Dae Kim.

Tickets range from $25 to $47 and are available by phone at (808) 988-6131 or online at manoavalleytheatre.com.

Kumu Kahua Theatre and Bamboo Ridge Press Reveal The May 2026 Prompt

Wed, 06 May 2026 05:25:48 PST

Kumu Kahua Theatre, in collaboration with Bamboo Ridge Press announce the May prompt for their monthly play writing contest, Go Try PlayWrite.

Thanks to a generous donation from an anonymous donor, contest winners will receive a $100.00 check as well as a subscription to Bamboo Ridge Press.

May 2026 prompt

An incitement prompt. Write a ten-page maximum scene of the moment a bully loses their effect/power over their victim. Kids, adults, chimpanzees, protozoa, roses, any group where bullying can occur. Also, the effect/power the bully has over their victim can be physical, mental, spiritual, social, monetary, whatever you can imagine.

Deadline to Enter: May 31st, 2026

Bamboo Ridge Press was founded in 1978 to publish literature by, for, and about
Hawaiʻi's people. We currently publish two volumes a year: a literary journal of poetry
and fiction featuring work by both emerging and established writers, and a book by a
single author or an anthology focused on a special theme. In forty plus years we've
published a diverse catalog of poetry, prose, screenplays, stage plays, novels, and
more.

Each month entrants must write a 5-page monologue and/or a 10-page scene based on monthly requirements. Each month a new prompt will be chosen by Kumu Kahua Theatre's Artistic Director, Harry Wong III. All entries must be written in traditional play format; instructions on this format can be found here: https://www.dramatistsguild.com/script-formats courtesy of the Dramatists Guild.

There will be one winner each month. Scripts will be submitted to the judges anonymously. Each month Judges are selected from among the many talented theatre practitioners in the Hawaii theatre community.

Submit your May entries HERE

Kumu Kahua Theatre and Bamboo Ridge Press Reveal The May 2026 Prompt

Wed, 06 May 2026 05:25:48 PST

Kumu Kahua Theatre, in collaboration with Bamboo Ridge Press announce the May prompt for their monthly play writing contest, Go Try PlayWrite.

Thanks to a generous donation from an anonymous donor, contest winners will receive a $100.00 check as well as a subscription to Bamboo Ridge Press.

May 2026 prompt

Deadline to Enter: May 31st, 2026

Submit your May entries HERE

Lea Salonga, Ray Chen, and More Set For Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra's 2026/27 Season

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 09:25:01 PST

The Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra has announced its 2026/27 season, Resonance. Taking place at the Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall, the season brings together internationally celebrated artists, symphonic works, and genre-spanning performances that reflect the distinctive voice of Hawaiʻi. From the soaring artistry of Lea Salonga to the welcome return of violinist Ray Chen, and the holiday favorite Elf in Concert, Resonance invites audiences into moments that linger long after the final note disappears.

More than a celebration of 15 years, this season signals momentum, expanding what a modern orchestra can be while deepening its connection to the community it calls home. Music & Artistic Director Dane Lam explains, "What does it mean for an orchestra to be embedded in its time and place? In its community? These are the questions that underpin our quest to make HSO an orchestra for all of Hawai'i, a proud Asia-Pacific voice rooted in one of the world's most dynamic cultural regions. From Carmen to Kolohe Kai; from Lea Salonga to Dai-Keong Lee; from Brahms to Star Wars. I am proud to present HSO Season 26/27, a season filled with the greatest music ever written, played by an ensemble of world-class musicians, rooted here in the Pacific."

"As we celebrate 15 years, Resonance reflects both how far the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra has come and the deep connection we continue to build with our community," said Amy Iwano, President and CEO of the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra. "This season honors the power of live music to bring people together-bridging generations, cultures, and genres-while amplifying Pacific voices and world-class artistry that feel unmistakably at home here in Hawaiʻi. We are proud of this momentum and excited to share a season that is bold and has something for everyone."

At the core of Resonance, the Halekulani Masterworks Series showcases the power and range of the symphonic tradition from George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue to Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 1, and the triumphant return of Beethoven's Symphony No. 9, "Ode to Joy." Guest artists include pianist Makoto Ozone, clarinetist Anthony McGill, and violinists Jennifer Koh and Augustin Hadelich.

A highlight of the Masterworks season is the world premiere of the Dai-Keong Lee Violin Concerto, performed by Jennifer Koh alongside Beethoven's immortal Ninth Symphony. Born and raised in Hawai'i, Dai-Keong Lee was once celebrated across the United States and abroad before fading from the repertoire. HSO reclaims him in the violin concerto's modern premiere. HSO's Asia-Pacific focus continues in April with Firebird & The Phoenix, featuring the world premiere of Fang Man's Song of the Flaming Phoenix for sheng and orchestra - placing an ancient Chinese instrument at the heart of a program alongside Stravinsky and Sibelius, and exemplifying HSO's unique position at the crossroads of East, West, and Pacific.

HSO continues its tradition of immersive festivals: city-wide, multi-art form, cross-institution explorations of music inspired by figures such as Beethoven (2024) and Shakespeare (2026). In 2026, Brahms: From Vienna to Hawai'i weaves together 150 years of musical evolution. The festival features all four Brahms symphonies in conversation with music that surrounded Brahms and paired with new Pacific commissions from Composer in Residence Michael-Thomas Foumai and composer Nilo Alcala.

New this season, Spotlight Concerts expand the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra experience with genre-blurring performances that reflect the breadth of Hawaiʻi's musical landscape and the evolving role of the modern orchestra. This dynamic series brings together global icons and local voices from two unforgettable evenings with Tony Award-winning Lea Salonga to the vibrant energy of HapaSymphony, featuring a solo performance by Hawai'i's own Kolohe Kai. As part of his 50th landmark anniversary celebrating his start in show business, Honolulu favorite, Grammy-nominated conductor, arranger, saxophonist, pianist, vocalist, and composer Matt Catingub returns to the HSO, with his concert From Samoa to Sinatra, a concert tracing his musical journey from the legacy of his mother, Mavis Rivers, to the enduring world of Frank Sinatra. Beloved traditions return with the Hapa Holiday Extravaganza, a festive celebration infused with local flair, while innovative programs like The Sounds of Ravel & Rosalía featuring Carolina Rial of NBC's The Voice, blur the lines between classical and contemporary sound. Together, Spotlight Concerts invite audiences to experience the orchestra in new and unexpected ways.

HSO continues its popular Films in Concert series with Elf in Concert, bringing the beloved holiday film to life with the full orchestral score performed live, an immersive experience that blends cinema and symphonic sound. May the force be with you in spring 2027 to relive Star Wars: A New Hope in its 50th anniversary year.

Completing the full season, the Saturday morning engagement series Beyond the Music invites curious minds of all ages to explore the orchestra through immersive, one-hour programs that blend live symphonic performance with narration, visuals, and storytelling. The series continues on February 27 with Beloved Brahms, offering an intimate look at the timeless lyricism and emotional depth of Brahms' orchestral writing, followed on April 10 by Fantastic Birds & Where to Find Them, a whimsical, imaginative journey through music inspired by flight, nature, and fantasy. Designed for families, students, first-time concertgoers and aficionados alike, Beyond the Music provides an accessible and enriching gateway into the world behind the music.

Season Lineup:

SEASON PREMIERE: MASTERWORKS: RHAPSODY IN BLUE & MAHLER

Fri September 25, 2026 | 7:30 pm
Dane Lam, conductor
Makoto Ozone, piano
Leilehua Lanzilotti - of light and stone
George Gershwin - Rhapsody in Blue
Gustav Mahler - Symphony No. 1, “Titan”

MATT CATINGUB: FROM SAMOA TO SINATRA

Sat September 26, 2026 | 7:30 pm
Dane Lam, conductor
Matt Catingub, conductor/piano

MASTERWORKS: JOANN CONDUCTS BEETHOVEN’S TRIPLE

Fri October 16, 2026 | 7:30 pm
JoAnn Falletta, conductor
Lisa Nakamichi, piano
Ignace Jang, violin
Julian Schwarz, cello
Randall Svane - Quantum Flight
Ludwig van Beethoven - Concerto for Violin, Cello, and Piano, Op. 56, C Major, "Triple"
Jean Sibelius - Symphony No. 1, Op. 39, E minor

LEA SALONGA IN CONCERT

Sat October 17, 2026 | 7:30 pm
Sun October 18, 2026 | 4:00 pm
Sarah Hicks, conductor
Lea Salonga, vocals

MASTERWORKS: RACHMANINOFF & COPLAND

Thurs November 5, 2026 | 7:30 pm
Dane Lam, conductor
Anthony McGill, clarinet
Salina Fisher - Kintsugi (Hawai’i Premiere)
Aaron Copland - Clarinet Concerto
Sergei Rachmaninoff - Symphony No. 2, Op. 27, E minor

HAPA HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA

Wednesday December 16, 2026 | 7:30 pm
Dane Lam, conductor

ELF IN CONCERT

Saturday December 19, 2026 | 7:00 pm
Sun December 20, 2026 | 2:00 pm
ELF and all related characters and elements © & ™ New Line Productions, Inc.

THE SOUNDS OF RAVEL & ROSALÍA with Carolina Rial

Fri January 8, 2027 | 7:30 pm
Dane Lam, conductor
Carolina Rial, vocals

BEETHOVEN’S ODE TO JOY

Sun January 10, 2027 | 4:00 pm
Dane Lam, conductor
Oʻahu Choral Society
Jennifer Koh, violin
Dai-Keong Lee - Violin Concerto
Ludwig van Beethoven - Symphony No. 9, Op. 125, D minor, “Choral”

BEYOND THE MUSIC: BELOVED BRAHMS

Sat February 27,2027 | 11:00 am
Dane Lam, conductor
Michael-Thomas Foumai, narrator

MASTERWORKS: BRAHMS FESTIVAL: BRAHMS & DESTINY

Sun February 28, 2027 | 4:00 pm
Dane Lam, conductor
O’ahu Choral Society
Nilo Alcala - Pacific Brahms Commission (world premiere)
Johannes Brahms - Song of Destiny (Schiksalslied), Op. 54
Johannes Brahms & Bright Sheng - The Black Swan (Intermezzo)
Johannes Brahms - Symphony No. 3, Op. 90, in F Major

MASTERWORKS: BRAHMS FESTIVAL: BRAHMS vs WAGNER

Sun March 7, 2027 | 4:00 pm
Dane Lam, conductor
Johannes Brahms - Academic Festival Overture
Richard Wagner - Wotan's Farewell and Magic Fire Music from Die Walküre
Alice Chance - Pacific Brahms Commission (world premiere)
Johannes Brahms - Symphony No. 4, Op. 98, in E minor

MASTERWORKS: BRAHMS FESTIVAL: BRAHMS DANCES

Thurs March 11, 2027 | 7:30 pm
Dane Lam, conductor
Ray Chen, violin
Johannes Brahms (arr. Parlow) - Hungarian Dance Nos. 5 & 6
Felix Mendelssohn - Violin Concerto, Op. 64, in E minor
Shawn Conley - Pacific Brahms Commission (world premiere)
Brahms - Symphony No. 2, Op. 73 in D Major

MASTERWORKS: BRAMS FESTIVAL: BRAHMS & THE SCHUMANNS

Sun March 14, 2027 | 4:00 pm
Dane Lam, conductor
Alexandra Dariescu, piano
Robert Schumann - Genoveva Overture
Clara Schumann - Piano Concerto, Op. 7, in A minor
Michael-Thomas Foumai - Pacific Brahms Commission (world premiere)
Johannes Brahms - Symphony No. 1, Op. 68, in C minor

BEYOND THE MUSIC: FANTASTIC BIRDS & WHERE TO FIND THEM

Sat April 10, 2027 | 11:00 am
Dane Lam, conductor
Michael-Thomas Foumai, narrator

MASTERWORKS: FIREBIRD & THE PHOENIX

Sun April 11, 2027 | 4:00 pm
Dane Lam, conductor
Loo Sze Wang, sheng
Ottorino Respighi - The Birds (Gli Uccelli)
Fang Man- Song of the Flaming Phoenix for Sheng and Orchestra
Jean Sibelius - The Swan of Tuonela
Igor Stravinsky - Suite from The Firebird (L'Oiseau de feu) - 1919 version

STARS WARS: A NEW HOPE IN CONCERT

Fri May 7, Sat May 8, 2027 | 7:00 pm
Sun May 9, 2027 | 2:00 pm
Presentation licensed by Disney Concerts

HAPASYMPHONY: KOLOHE KAI

Fri June 4, 2027 | 7:30 pm
Dane Lam, conductor
Kolohe Kai, solo vocals

SEASON FINALE: MASTERWORKS: VIRTUOSITY IN MOTION

Sun June 6, 2027 | 4:00 pm
Dane Lam conductor
Augustin Hadelich, violin
Ye Xiaogang - The Loquat in Five Colors
Maurice Ravel - Tzigane for Violin and Orchestra
Pablo de Sarasate - Carmen Fantasie, Op. 25
Edward Elgar - Symphony No. 1, Op. 55, A-flat Major

OPERATION MINCEMEAT Reveals 2026-27 Tour Dates and Cities

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 09:12:44 PST

OPERATION MINCEMEAT has announced the full 2026/27 season dates for the North American leg of its world tour. The news comes as OPERATION MINCEMEAT celebrates its 500th performance on Broadway this Saturday, May 2, after hitting 2,000 performances worldwide - now playing simultaneously in the West End, on Broadway, and on tour across the UK. Following the North American leg, further stops on its international journey will include Australia, China, Mexico, and New Zealand.

Read the reviews for the Broadway run here.

Producer Jon Thoday for Avalon said, “Launching our third OPERATION MINCEMEAT production, the North American leg of the world tour, as the show reaches 500 performances on Broadway and passes 2,000 worldwide is incredibly exciting. With its continued international growth and an expanding fanbase, we look forward to welcoming new audiences across the continent.”

The North American leg of the Mincemeat World Tour will launch at the Providence Performance Arts Center (Providence, RI), on September 20, 2026, before crisscrossing North America this upcoming season, with stops including Chicago, Boston, Toronto, Los Angeles, and Washington, DC.

Operation Mincemeat Tour Dates:

Providence, RI – Providence Performing Arts Center
September 20–26, 2026

Chicago, IL – CIBC Theatre
September 29–October 11, 2026

Boston, MA – Colonial Theatre
October 13–25, 2026

Toronto, ON – Theatre TBD
October–December 2026

Philadelphia, PA – Forrest Theatre
December 15–20, 2026

Columbus, OH – Ohio Theatre
January 5–10, 2027

Detroit, MI – Fisher Theatre
January 12–24, 2027

Minneapolis, MN – Orpheum Theatre
January 26–31, 2027

Eugene, OR – Hult Center
February 3–7, 2027

Seattle, WA – 5th Avenue Theatre
February 10–21, 2027

Tempe, AZ – ASU Gammage
February 23–28, 2027

Salt Lake City, UT – Eccles Theatre
March 2–7, 2027

San Francisco, CA – Orpheum Theatre
March 9–28, 2027

Los Angeles, CA – Pantages Theatre
March 30–April 18, 2027

San Diego, CA – Civic Center
April 20–25, 2027

Hartford, CT – Bushnell Center
May 4–9, 2027

Durham, NC – Durham Performing Arts Center
May 11–16, 2027

Greenville, SC – Peace Center
May 18–23, 2027

Fayetteville, AR – Walton Arts Center
May 25–30, 2027

Tampa, FL – Straz Center
June 1–6, 2027

Washington, DC – The National Theatre
June 8–20, 2027

Buffalo, NY – Shea’s Performing Arts Center
June 22–27, 2027

Atlanta, GA – Fox Theatre
July 6–11, 2027

Memphis, TN – Orpheum Theatre
July 13–18, 2027

Fort Worth, TX – Bass Performance Hall
July 20–25, 2027

About Operation Mincemeat

In OPERATION MINCEMEAT: A NEW MUSICAL, it's 1943, and the Allied Forces are on the ropes. Luckily, they've got a trick up their sleeve. Well, not up their sleeve, per se, but rather inside the pocket of a stolen corpse. Equal parts farce, thriller, and Ian Fleming-style spy caper (with an assist from Mr. Fleming himself), OPERATION MINCEMEAT tells the wildly improbable and hilarious true story of the covert operation that turned the tide of WWII.

Written by triple Tony Award nominees SpitLip (comprised of David Cumming, Felix Hagan, Natasha Hodgson, and Zoë Roberts), OPERATION MINCEMEAT began performances on Broadway on February 15, 2025, and continues to play at the historic Golden Theatre (252 West 45th Street), where it has been extended eight times and will soon celebrate its 500th performance. The West End production, which has been playing at the Fortune Theatre since March 29, 2023, is widely recognized as one of the best-reviewed shows in West End history, holding the record for the most five-star reviews for a new musical, with a tally of 131. OPERATION MINCEMEAT has just launched its world tour, beginning with a UK leg before heading across the pond.

Olivier Award nominated Robert Hastie (Standing at the Sky's Edge, National Theatre – Best New Musical Olivier Award winner) will reprise his work for the tour, while Olivier Award nominated Jenny Arnold (Jerry Springer: The Opera, National Theatre) continues as Choreographer. The creative team will include Olivier nominated Set and Costume Designer Ben Stones (Standing at the Sky's Edge), Tony and Olivier winning Lighting Designer Mark Henderson (The History Boys), Tony nominated Sound Designer Mike Walker (Charlie & The Chocolate Factory), Tony nominated Orchestrator Steve Sidwell (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical), and Olivier nominated Music Supervisor Joe Bunker (Spring Awakening). Georgie Staight is Associate Director and Paul Isaiah Isles is Associate Choreographer. Production Stage Management is by Geoff Maus, Casting is by Carrie Gardner, CSA, and General Management is by TT Partners.

OPERATION MINCEMEAT has been nominated for 64 awards since opening at the 77-seat New Diorama Theatre in 2019, winning 13, including Best Musical 3 times, from the Olivier Awards, WhatsOnStage Awards, and Off-West End Awards. On Broadway, the show was nominated for 4 Tony Awards in 2025, including Best Musical. The production won Best Featured Actor in a Musical for Jak Malone's portrayal of Hester Leggatt, who previously won the Olivier Award in the same category. The production has also received nominations for Outstanding Production of a Musical at the Drama League Awards, Outstanding New Broadway Musical at the Outer Critics Circle Awards, Best Musical at the BroadwayWorld Theater Fans' Choice Awards, and Favourite New Musical at the Broadway.com Audience Choice Awards.

Kumu Kahua Theatre and Bamboo Ridge Press Reveal Winner Of March Prompt

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 05:14:02 PST

The March Go Try PlayWrite winner is James Parker for his piece Chicken Ain't. James Parker is a proud Leilehua H.S graduate. 5th generation in Hawaii, James is a rookie playwright, but life long live theater enthusiast. Two time winner of the Go Try PlayWrite contest, he encourages new writers to just go try! He is a member of the Keakalehua Hui play reading group and is very grateful to have been a student of Victoria Knuebuhl's playwriting class through Kumu Kahua Theatre.

March 2026 prompt was: A chicken rebellion prompt. Write a ten-page maximum scene of a chicken fight where the roosters fight back against their masters. It could take place in Ewa, Waipahu, wherever really. The police could even arrive to help the people being attacked. Anything goes

The company is now accepting entries for the April contest HERE.

Kumu Kahua Theatre and Bamboo Ridge Press Reveal Winner Of March Prompt

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 05:14:02 PST

The company is now accepting entries for the April contest HERE.

BroadwayWorld.com Hawaii Stories

Mānoa Valley Theatre and W.O.W. Productions to Launch Inaugural Juneteenth Festival

Festival Schedule

Around The BroadwayWorld: Top News, Reviews, Interviews & More from May 2026

Editor's Picks: Top News Stories

Diane Paulus Will Direct Immersive David Bowie Inspired LIFE ON MARS at American Repertory Theater

Interviews

Interview: Adam Fields of BEETLEJUICE National Tour

Interview: Richard Kind Talks Finally Taking on Edna in The Muny's HAIRSPRAY

Reviews

Videos

Photos

Review: Funny Girl at Diamond Head Theatre

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL ʻAUANA Releases New Single 'Kele ka Moana' Ahead of Album

EARTH, WIND & FIRE Show at MACC to Feature Added Hawaiian Artist

EARTH, WIND & FIRE Show at MACC to Feature Added Hawaiian Artist

CAROUSEL, SPELLING BEE, and More Set For Hawaiʻi Performing Arts Festival's 2026 Season

Kumu Kahua Theatre and Bamboo Ridge Press Reveal June 2026 Prompt For Go Try PlayWrite

June 2026 prompt

Kumu Kahua Theatre and Bamboo Ridge Press Reveal June 2026 Prompt For Go Try PlayWrite

June 2026 prompt

BroadwayWorld Launches Producer Fantasy Game

How It Works

Weekly Scoring

The Fantasy Forecast

Managing Your Roster

Join the Game

A DRAG QUEEN CHRISTMAS to Return for 12th Year With 39-City National Tour

This year's cast includes:

A Drag Queen Christmas 2026 Tour Dates:

Kumu Kahua Theatre Reveals Lineup For 56th Season

The Queen's Will

Kupua

All Buss Up in a HI State: A Trilogy of Hawai‘i Plays

Not One Batu

Pakalōlō Sweet

Aloha Fry-Day

Murder Finds a Medium

Grumpy Old Futz

Kumu Kahua Theatre Reveals Lineup For 56th Season

The Queen's Will

Kupua

All Buss Up in a HI State: A Trilogy of Hawai‘i Plays

Not One Batu

Pakalōlō Sweet

Aloha Fry-Day

Murder Finds a Medium

Grumpy Old Futz

SONIC LIVE IN CONCERT to Launch Global Tour With US and UK Premieres

Kumu Kahua Theatre and Bamboo Ridge Press Name April Go Try PlayWrite Winner

Kumu Kahua Theatre and Bamboo Ridge Press Name April Go Try PlayWrite Winner

Conference on Literature and Hawai‘i’s Children Announces Honorees and Schedule

Review: YELLOW FACE at Mānoa Valley Theatre

Ginger Minj to Present 2026 HOKUS POKUS LIVE! Tour With Sapphira Cristál, Jujubee and Landon Cider

September 17 – Edmonton, AB

September 18 – Calgary, AB

September 19 – Kelowna, BC

September 21 – Victoria, BC

September 24 – Honolulu, HI

September 27 – Seattle, WA

September 28 – Portland, OR

October 1 – Boise, ID

October 2 – Spokane, WA

October 4 – Salt Lake City, UT

October 6 – San Francisco, CA

October 7 – Los Angeles, CA

October 8 – Las Vegas, NV

October 11 – Anaheim, CA

October 12 – San Diego, CA

October 13 – Phoenix, AZ

October 15 – Denver, CO

October 17 – Iowa City, IA

October 18 – Chicago, IL

October 19 – Detroit, MI

October 20 – Washington, D.C.

October 22 – Columbus, OH

October 26 – Boston, MA

October 28 – Philadelphia, PA

October 29 – New York City, NY

October 31 – Charleston, SC