HADESTOWN, Audra McDonald, Leslie Odom, Jr. and More Set for Charleston Gaillard Center 2026–2027 Season
The Charleston, SC venue will present the Lowcountry Jazz Festival, a performance from Tony-winner Renee Elise Goldsberry and more.
The Charleston Gaillard Center has announced its 2026–2027 season, bringing together a remarkable range of artistic voices: world-renowned ensembles, celebrated soloists, and new commissions that reflect the full breadth of the performing arts.
From returning favorites to premieres that reflect a deepening investment in the creative process, the season affirms the Gaillard's commitment to both the presentation and creation of exceptional artistry. With each passing year, the Gaillard grows as a vital cultural destination for Charleston, the Lowcountry, and the broader Southeast.
"This season is a reflection of everything we believe the Gaillard can be," said Lissa Frenkel, President and CEO of the Charleston Gaillard Center. "Year after year, this stage becomes something more: a place where artists are invited to take risks, where new ideas find a home, and where audiences gather for experiences that stay with them long after the curtain falls. We are proud to bring together celebrated artists, bold new commissions, and unexpected collaborations that push the boundaries of what a performing arts center can offer. And we have more surprises still to come."
As a nonprofit performing arts center, the Gaillard depends on the support of its audiences and the generosity of its donors to fulfill a mission that extends far beyond the stage. Every ticket purchased, every seat filled in the Martha and John M. Rivers Performance Hall, and every generous gift helps sustain the work of the Education and Community Program, which has served more than 200,000 students from across the Lowcountry, including 100% of Charleston County Public Schools, and continues to deepen its reach across the region.
It is this community of audiences, artists, donors, students, and educators that make the following season possible.
Find a full schedule of the 2026–2027 season performances below (with more still to be announced). For tickets and membership information, visit gaillardcenter.org.
LOWCOUNTRY JAZZ FESTIVAL
September 4–6, 2026
Celebrate Charleston’s signature smooth jazz weekend as the Lowcountry Jazz Festival returns this September. Co-produced by Tony Clarke, this memorable three-day event features an all-star lineup, including Vincent Ingala (All White Party, September 4); Lakecia Benjamin and Phoenix, Peter White, and Anthony Hamilton (Day 1, September 5); and Keiko Matsui, Jonathan Butler, Rick Braun, and Richard Elliot (Day 2, September 6). For over two decades, Closing the Gap in Health Care, Inc., founded by Dr. Thaddeus J. Bell, has continued its mission to advance health equity. The festival remains its primary fundraiser, supporting vital programs across South Carolina and the Southeast. Co-presented with Closing the Gap in Health Care, Inc. Tickets already available.
BEEPLE x SŌ PERCUSSION
September 26, 2026 | 6:30pm doors, 8:00pm performance
A bold new collaboration comes to life at Beeple Studios in a one-night-only world premiere. Grammy Award-winning ensemble Sō Percussion joins visionary digital artist Beeple for a boundary-pushing performance that fuses live music with AI-driven visuals in an immersive studio setting. This special event reflects an ongoing commitment to expanding beyond the Gaillard’s campus and into the creative fabric of the community. All tickets include a pre-performance reception, setting the stage for an evening that is as celebratory as it is dynamic. Co-produced with Beeple Studios.
Akram Khan COMPANY
October 1–2, 2026 | 7:30pm
Celebrating 26 years of groundbreaking work, Akram Khan Company brings its latest and final touring production, Thikra: Night of Remembering, to the stage. The Gaillard is proud that Charleston is among a select few cities to welcome this landmark production—a poignant culmination of the company's extraordinary artistic journey. This powerful work reflects on memory, legacy, and the stories we carry forward, blending striking movement, evocative music, and rich cultural influences. Both intimate and expansive, it is a deeply moving meditation on remembrance and a fitting tribute to a company that has redefined contemporary dance worldwide. Support provided by donors to the Charleston Gaillard Center's Dance Initiative.
Meredith Willson'S THE MUSIC MAN
October 14, 2026 | 7:30pm
There is trouble in River City when a fast-talking salesman gets his heart stolen by the town librarian. Meredith Willson's six-time, Tony Award-winning musical comedy The Music Man follows Harold Hill, as he cons the people of River City, Iowa, into buying instruments and uniforms for a band that he vows to organize–this, despite the fact that he doesn't know a trombone from a treble clef. His plans to skip town with the cash are foiled when he falls for Marian, the librarian who transforms him into a respectable citizen by curtain's fall. Featuring songs such as "Seventy-Six Trombones," "Trouble," "'Til There Was You," "Pickalittle," and “Gary, Indiana," The Music Man is a family-friendly story to be shared with every generation.
BLACK VIOLIN
October 15, 2026 | 7:30pm
Beloved by Charleston Gaillard Center audiences, the genre-defying duo Black Violin returns with their blend of classical virtuosity and-hop beats. Comprised of Kev Marcus and Wil Baptiste, the group has created a sound that is entirely their own and captivated audiences worldwide with performances that are as innovative as they are electrifying. Tickets to become available in Summer 2026.
HENRY CHO: THE EMPTY NEST TOUR
October 17, 2026 | 7:30pm
Henry Cho brings his signature clean Southern comedy in a high-energy stand-up show that proves you don’t need profanity to be hilarious. Blending sharp observations about family life, marriage, parenting, and growing up Korean American in Tennessee, his comedy is equal parts heartwarming and side-splitting. A veteran of The Tonight Show and The Late Late Show, Cho delivers a polished, personal, and refreshingly relatable theater experience. Whether riffing on cultural mix-ups, church life, or everyday marriage negotiations, audiences leave feeling seen—and laughing hard. Co-presented with Outback Presents. Tickets already available.
CHUCHO VALDÉS 85TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
with special guests Joe Lovano and Etienne Charles
October 20, 2026 | 7:30pm
NEA Jazz Master and winner of seven Grammy and seven Latin Grammy Awards, the Cuban pianist, composer, and arranger Chucho Valdés is the most influential figure in modern Afro-Cuban jazz. In a rich career spanning sixty years, Chucho has pushed boundaries in pursuit of new expressions in Afro-Cuban music. Chucho celebrates his 85th birthday in 2026 with an exciting new program featuring special guests Joe Lovano and Etienne Charles.
Jim Henson'S FRAGGLE ROCK: BACK TO THE ROCK LIVE
October 23, 2026 | 6:30pm
Gobo, Red, Mokey, Wembley, and Boober Fraggle set off on an epic adventure to uncover the lost pieces of the legendary Celebration Stone, an ancient treasure said to bring everyone together for the greatest party ever. Journeying through new caves and beyond, the Fraggles discover unexpected magic and the joy that emerges when people come together to care for one another and the world they share. Featuring beautifully crafted full-body costumes and puppets from Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, fan-favorite songs, and dazzling effects, this all-new musical brings Fraggle Rock to life on stage. Filled with humor, heart, and imagination, it is a joyful, family-friendly experience that delights new audiences while welcoming longtime fans on a nostalgic return to a beloved world.
GHOSTBUSTERS IN CONCERT
October 25, 2026 | 6:00pm
Experience the beloved 1984 classic film like never before, with the music performed on stage by an orchestra. Audience members will enjoy the ultimate movie concert experience as Ghostbusters is presented on a large HD cinema screen, fully synced to a live performance of Academy Award®-winning composer Elmer Berstein’s spine-tingling score. Tickets already available.
AN EVENING WITH David Sedaris
October 30, 2026 | 7:30pm
David Sedaris, America’s best-selling humorist and social satirist, returns following publication of his most recent book of short stories, Happy Go Lucky, and his first ever children’s book, Pretty Ugly. In his customary sartorial and humorous manner, David will make you laugh and think in equal measures, with all new, unpublished stories and commentary. As always, the reading will be accompanied by a pre- and post-show book signing. Co-presented with Innovation Arts & Entertainment. Books will be available for purchase onsite through Blue Bicycle Books.
THE COMPLETE Philip Glass PIANO ETUDES
November 1, 2026 | 5:00pm
One of the most influential composers of our time, Philip Glass created his complete set of twenty piano etudes as both a personal challenge and a musical diary showcasing works that have become some of the most intimate and compelling in his vast body of music. Presented in celebration of Glass's 90th birthday, this rare, large-scale performance brings his complete set of twenty piano etudes to life rare, large-scale performance featuring an exceptional lineup of 10 pianists, including Timo Andres, Inon Barnatan, Aaron Diehl, Lara Downes, Conor Hanick, Daniela Liebman, Jenny Lin, Christian Sands, and Charleston-based pianists Demetrius Doctor and Tom Hicks. Shared across multiple performers, these meditative and virtuosic works unfold as a sweeping portrait of a singular artistic voice, offering a mesmerizing evening of contemporary piano music. Produced by Pomegranate Arts. Presented in partnership with the College of Charleston International Piano Series.
TRISHA BROWN DANCE COMPANY
November 7, 2026 | 7:30pm
The Trisha Brown Dance Company celebrates the legacy of one of the most influential choreographers of the 20th century with a compelling repertory program featuring Set and Reset, Rogues, and Working Title. Founded in 1970 by vanguard postmodern artist Trisha Brown, the company continues to bring her groundbreaking work to audiences around the world. This program highlights Brown’s signature movement language—at once fluid, architectural, and playfully complex—through iconic collaborations with artists including Laurie Anderson and Robert Rauschenberg. Bold and visually striking, these works reflect a choreographic voice that forever reshaped contemporary dance. Audiences should watch for additional announcements as the Gaillard's celebration of Trisha Brown's legacy expands into unexpected corners of Charleston. Support provided by donors to the Charleston Gaillard Center's Dance Initiative.
RENÉE ELISE GOLDSBERRY
November 22, 2026 | 7:00pm
Broadway luminary Renée Elise Goldsberry—Tony and Grammy Award-winning star of Hamilton—brings her powerhouse voice and magnetic stage presence to the Gaillard for an electrifying evening of music. Known for originating the role of Angelica Schuyler in the Broadway phenomenon and for scene-stealing performances on screen, Goldsberry blends soul, blues, pop, folk, and gospel roots in a performance that celebrates the music that shaped her. Joined by a dynamic group of backup singers, she leads audiences through a high-energy, feel-good musical journey—part concert, part revival—filled with soaring vocals, rhythmic clapping, and irresistible joy.
CABARET ROYALE BY UNDERBELLY
(New Commission)
December 2026
Cabaret Royale returns to the Spiegeltent with an all-new production for 2026, as the iconic venue celebrates its fifth year on the Terrace Lawn. Expect a swirl of glamour, grit, and high-energy thrills as boundary-pushing performances, sharp-witted comedy, and bold spectacle take the stage in this unforgettable evening of entertainment. Created by London’s acclaimed Underbelly, this dazzling experience is the perfect addition to your holiday traditions—a night of surprise and sparkle you’ll be talking about long after the evening ends. Tickets to become available late Summer 2026.
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