MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG and More Set for Lyric Arts Eight-Show Season
The season will also feature An American in Paris, Present Laughter, and more.
Lyric Arts Company of Anoka has revealed its upcoming season, themed Bold Hearts. Timeless Stories. The lineup features eight productions. Season subscriptions go on sale June 1, 2026, and single tickets become available July 1, 2026.
2026–2027 SEASON
MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG
September 11–October 4, 2026
Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim · Book by George Furth
Based on the original play by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart
Directed by Scott Ford · Music Direction by Ben Emory Larson
Choreography by James Grace
Friendship, ambition, and the price of success take center stage in this bold and deeply moving musical from Stephen Sondheim. Told in reverse chronological order, MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG begins at the height of composer Franklin Shepard's career and travels backward through the years to uncover the hopes, choices, and relationships that shaped his journey. Featuring one of Sondheim's most celebrated and emotionally rich scores, this inventive musical has become widely regarded as one of his most powerful works—an unforgettable story of friendship, compromise, and the dreams that shape our lives.
TWELVE ANGRY MEN
October 16–November 1, 2026
By Reginald Rose · Adapted for the stage by Sherman L. Sergel
Directed by Julie K. Phillips
On a sweltering summer day, twelve jurors enter a deliberation room believing their decision will be simple—but one dissenting voice changes everything. As tensions rise and personal biases come to light, TWELVE ANGRY MEN unfolds into a gripping examination of justice, prejudice, and the weight of reasonable doubt. Widely regarded as a landmark American drama, this riveting play remains as timely as ever, challenging audiences to consider what it means to stand alone in pursuit of truth.
SANTA'S MAGIC MEAT RAFFLE
November 20–December 20, 2026
By Ben Thietje · Story by Bradley Beahen, Patrick Kozicky, Ben Thietje, and Amanda White
Directed by Ben Thietje
Snow is falling, the fire is crackling, and the stakes have never been higher—because in Anoka, the holidays aren't complete without a little friendly competition and the chance to win a pork loin. This year, Santa is springing for his biggest, boldest, and most magical meat raffle yet in this wildly original holiday comedy created just for Lyric Arts. Packed with hometown humor, offbeat holiday spirit, and plenty of surprises, SANTA'S MAGIC MEAT RAFFLE is a festive celebration of the season in the most gloriously Anoka way possible. You've never experienced a holiday night out quite like this—and those meat sticks are definitely not reindeer.
SHE KILLS MONSTERS
January 15–February 7, 2027
By Qui Nguyen · Directed by Lee Hannah Conrads
When Agnes Evans sets out to learn more about her younger sister after her untimely death, she is drawn into an imaginative world of fantasy role-playing that is filled with warriors, monsters, and unexpected revelations. SHE KILLS MONSTERS is a thrilling, funny, and surprisingly tender adventure that blends high-octane action with a moving story of grief, identity, and acceptance. Widely celebrated for its heart, humor, and fierce imagination, this contemporary play is both a tribute to the power of friendship and a reminder that the people we love can still change us.
EMMA
February 26–March 21, 2027
By Kate Hamill · Based on the novel by Jane Austen
Directed by Marci Lucht
Sharp-witted, charming, and a little too confident in her own matchmaking abilities, Emma Woodhouse delights in arranging the lives and romances of those around her. But as her well-meaning schemes create unexpected complications, Emma begins to discover that love—and self-knowledge—may be closer to home than she ever imagined. One of Jane Austen's most beloved heroines comes to life in this sparkling, heartfelt story filled with humor, romance, and keen observations of human nature.
AN AMERICAN IN PARIS
April 9–May 9, 2027
Music and Lyrics by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin · Book by Craig Lucas
Directed by Lauri Kraft · Music Direction by Wesley Frye
Sweeping, romantic, and filled with breathtaking dance, AN AMERICAN IN PARIS follows an American soldier and aspiring artist as he searches for inspiration, purpose, and love in the City of Light after World War II. As lives intertwine against the backdrop of a changing Paris, this dazzling musical unfolds as a story of love, optimism, and the transformative power of art. Featuring a lush Gershwin score and a Tony Award-winning Broadway adaptation celebrated for its elegance and beauty, AN AMERICAN IN PARIS is a deeply moving theatrical experience.
PRESENT LAUGHTER
June 4–27, 2027
By Noël Coward · Directed by Max Wojtanowicz
Stylish, sharp, and irresistibly witty, PRESENT LAUGHTER follows the glamorous and self-absorbed actor Garry Essendine as he navigates an increasingly chaotic web of admirers, friends, and would-be lovers just as he prepares to leave for an overseas tour. What begins as a series of social entanglements quickly spirals into a whirlwind of comic confusion, sparkling banter, and theatrical charm. One of Noël Coward's most beloved and enduring comedies, PRESENT LAUGHTER remains a delightfully sophisticated portrait of celebrity, vanity, and the absurdities of modern life.
HAIRSPRAY
July 16–August 15, 2027
Book by Mark O'Donnell & Thomas Meehan · Music by Marc Shaiman
Lyrics by Scott Wittman & Marc Shaiman · Based on the New Line Cinema film written and directed by John Waters
Directed by Siddeeqah Shabazz · Music Direction by Bradley Beahen
Choreography by Michael Terrell Brown
Bursting with joy, humor, and irresistible energy, HAIRSPRAY follows Tracy Turnblad as she sets out to dance her way onto a local television show—and ends up helping spark change in her community. Featuring a score packed with infectious songs and big-hearted spirit, this beloved musical is a celebration of individuality, inclusion, and the power of young people to challenge the status quo. Winner of eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, HAIRSPRAY remains a wildly entertaining and inspiring crowd-pleaser.
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