42ND STREET, COME FROM AWAY & More Set for Sharon Playhouse's 2026 Season

The Sharon Playhouse has announced casting for its 2026 Season — a lineup of musicals, special events, and YouthStage productions that celebrate resilience, community, and the stories that define the American spirit.

As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, the 2026 season reflects the heart of America — stories of hope in hard times, generosity in moments of crisis, and joy created through music, laughter, and community. From Golden Age Broadway classics to contemporary favorites, this season invites audiences of all ages to come together for unforgettable live theater experiences.

Right in time for the Fourth of July, the 2026 MainStage season opens with the high-energy star-spangled musical hit, Swingtime Canteen (June 19–July 5), written by Linda Thorsen Bond, William Repicci and Charles Busch, and directed by Artistic Director Carl Andress, with choreography by Krystyna Resavy and music direction by Eric Thomas Johnson. Swingtime Canteen is a joyful salute to the women who lifted soldiers' spirits during World War II, featuring an all-female cast of performer/musicians who sing, dance, act — and play the instruments too!

This show is filled with beloved hit songs of the 1940s such as “Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree,” “I'll Be Seeing You,” and “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” delivered with an infectious wartime spirit. The cast features: Margaret Dudasik as MGM star “Marian Ames,” Michelle Lemon as “Lilly McBain” on Sax, Guitar and Banjo, Sarah Beth Palmer as “Jo Sterling,” on Drums, Claire Marie Spencer as “Topeka Abotelli,” on Piano and Lucy Rhoades as “Katie Gammersflugel.” The company is rounded out by three side musicians, Mallory Kokus as “Lt. Eleanor Fuchs” on Reeds, Kim Bonsanti as “Lt. Muriel Kravis” on Trumpet and Lauren Seery as “Lt. Jeannie Pielmeier” on Bass.

Next up is the ultimate Broadway fairytale, 42nd Street (July 25–August 9), with music by Harry Warren, lyrics by Al Dubin and book by Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble. Directed by Carl Andress with choreography by Amy Van Norstrand and music direction by Eric Thomas Johnson, 42nd Street is set during the Great Depression, and is a tap-dancing classic that celebrates dreams, determination, and the magic of show business, featuring unforgettable songs like “Lullaby of Broadway” and “We're in the Money.” This spectacular show highlights how even in the hardest times Americans come together to create joy. The cast features Gabi Stapula as “Peggy Sawyer,” Michael McGuirk as “Julian Marsh,” Savannah Stevenson as “Dorothy Brock,” Ian Black as “Billy Lawlor,” Amy Wilson as “Maggie Jones,” Rudd Anderson as “Bert Barry,” Payton Turpin as “Abner Dillon,” Robert Mintz as “Andy Lee,” and Michelle Lemon as “Ann Reilly.” The ensemble features Liana Nicole Monaco as “Lorraine,” Liesl Landegger as “Phyllis,” Landon Zwick as “Pat Denning,” Lily Anderson, Nathan Ayotte, Jack Canevari, Isaiah Mayhew, Larry Toyter, Sasha Spitz, and Savannah Wright. The Teen ensemble features Andy Delgado, Caitlyn Kops, Liam Reynolds, Christian Sciarrillo, Mia Tonon, Brianna Vivace and Alex Wilbur.

The MainStage season continues with the Tony Award–winning musical Come From Away (September 11–27), with book, music and lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein, directed by Hunter Foster with choreography by Krystyna Resavy and music direction by Eric Thomas Johnson. One of the most successful musicals of the 21st century, this deeply moving and uplifting production tells the true story of 7,000 stranded airline passengers and the small Newfoundland town that welcomed them in the days following September 11, 2001 — a powerful reminder of compassion, kindness, and the strength of community. The cast features Chelsie Jordan as “Beverly/Annette & Others,” Max Bennett-Parker as “Claude & Others,” Meaghan Lewis-Michaelson as “Beulah & Others,” Erin Krom as “Diane & Others,” Tracy Liz Miller as “Bonnie & Others,” Jeffrey Konowitch as “Oz & Others,” Willie Marte as “Bob & Others,” Cameron Sirian as “Kevin J./Ali & Others,” Ricky Oliver as “Kevin T./Garth & Others,” Sophie Nassiri Morvillo as “Janice & Others,” Michael McGuirk as “Nick & Others,” and LaDonna Burns as “Hannah & Others.”

The 2026 YouthStage lineup continues the Playhouse's commitment to arts education and young performers, with productions including Pooh's Parade (June 27), conceived and directed by Sarah Cuoco with music direction by Eric Thomas Johnson; Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical Jr. (July 10-11), book by Dennis Kelly, music and lyrics by Tim Minchin, directed by Jason Williams, choreographed by Georgina Bates, and music direction by Sunhwa Reiner; the play Big Bad (July 18), by Alec Strum, directed by Ricky Oliver; Shrek The Musical KIDS book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire, music by Jeanine Tesori, directed by Sarah Cuoco and music direction by Alec Sisco; and the second annual Launchpad Company production, Zombie Prom (August 21-23), book and lyrics by John Dempsey, music by Dana P. Rowe, based on a story by John Dempsey and Hugh Murphy, directed by Sam LaFrage and choreographed by Michelle Lemon. These performances showcase the talent, creativity, and joy of the next generation of theater artists.

“I'm incredibly proud of the casts we've assembled alongside casting director Judy Bowman,” said Artistic Director Carl Andress. “This season reflects the very best of what the Sharon Playhouse stands for—bringing together exceptional artists from our local community and New York to create work of the highest caliber. After reviewing nearly 5,000 submissions and seeing close to 1,000 performers, we've built ensembles that are not only deeply talented, but truly aligned with the heart and spirit of each production.”

Sharon Playhouse partnered with Judy Bowman Casting, CSA to cast the season. The season design team includes Christopher Swader and Justin Swader (Scenic Design), Kathleen DeAngelis (Costume Design), Wheeler Moon and Aidan English (Lighting Design), Graham Stone (Sound Design), Bobbie Zlotnik (Wig & Makeup Design). The production team is led by Iz Dillon (Technical Director) and Perseis Grant (Production Manager). Kristine Schlachter (Production Stage Manager) and Cameron Fleck (Assistant Stage Manager) are the stage management team for the season.

The Sharon Playhouse will celebrate the start of the season with its annual Spotlight Gala on Saturday, May 30, 2026. Titled Hey There, Good Times!, the evening will honor longtime Sharon Playhouse board member and beloved community leader and motorsport pioneer Skip Barber, and Sarah Combs will receive the inaugural Spotlight Spirit Award. Directed and choreographed by Krystyna Resavy with music direction by Eric Thomas Johnson, the gala is a glamorous evening of live performance, delicious food and cocktails, and celebration under the stars, featuring performances by both YouthStage and professional artists. Special events throughout the season include a one-night-only staged reading of the outrageous comedy, The Divine Sister, written by and starring Charles Busch, on Friday, August 28, and the return of the sixth edition of Writers Playground, the beloved annual festival of ten-minute plays by local playwrights, on Friday, September 4.

The 2026 season will conclude in December with the 6th Annual Holiday YouthStage Production, a new adaptation of Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland (December 11-20), adapted and directed by Andrus Nichols and Drew Ledbetter.

The Sharon Playhouse urges all ticket buyers to be cautious of third-party ticket sellers. The safest and only reliable source for tickets is at SharonPlayhouse.org. Tickets are $25–$55 for all performances and are now on sale. 

2026 MainStage Season

SWINGTIME CANTEEN

June 19 – July 5, 2026
Written by Linda Thorsen Bond, William Repicci, and Charles Busch
Directed by Carl Andress
Choreography by Krystyna Resavy
Music Direction by Eric Thomas Johnson

42ND STREET

July 25 – August 9, 2026
Music by Harry Warren
Lyrics by Al Dubin
Book by Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble
Directed by Carl Andress
Choreography by Amy Van Norstrand
Music Direction by Eric Thomas Johnson

COME FROM AWAY

September 11 – 27, 2026
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein
Directed by Hunter Foster
Choreography by Krystyna Resavy
Music Direction by Eric Thomas Johnson

2026 YouthStage Productions

Pooh's Parade

June 27, 2026
Conceived and Directed by Sarah Cuoco
Music Direction by Eric Thomas Johnson

Roald Dahl'S MATILDA THE MUSICAL JR.

July 10 – 11, 2026
Book by Dennis Kelly
Music and Lyrics by Tim Minchin
Directed by Jason Williams
Choreography by Georgina Bates
Music Direction by Sunhwa Reiner

Big Bad

July 18, 2026
By Alec Strum
Directed by Ricky Oliver

SHREK THE MUSICAL KIDS

Summer 2026
Book and Lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire
Music by Jeanine Tesori
Directed by Sarah Cuoco
Music Direction by Alec Sisco

ZOMBIE PROM

August 21 – 23, 2026
Book and Lyrics by John Dempsey
Music by Dana P. Rowe
Based on a story by John Dempsey and Hugh Murphy
Directed by Sam LaFrage
Choreography by Michelle Lemon

ALICE IN WONDERLAND

December 11 – 20, 2026
Adapted and Directed by Andrus Nichols and Drew Ledbetter

Special Events

Hey There, Good Times! – Spotlight Gala

May 30, 2026

THE DIVINE SISTER (Staged Reading)

August 28, 2026
Written by and starring Charles Busch

Writers Playground

2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards - Live Stats

Best Revival of a Musical - Top 3

1. Ragtime

35.4% of votes

2. Chess

30% of votes

3. CATS: The Jellicle Ball

19.8% of votes

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