The Old Globe Will Host 2026 Gala With Wayne Brady

The Old Globe will hold its annual gala on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, on the Globe's Copley Plaza and the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage in The Old Globe Theatre, part of the Conrad Prebys Theatre Center. The theme for the 2026 Globe Gala is Escape Into a Fantasy, an enchanting evening where beauty and whimsical charm abound. Guests will savor a sumptuous meal, delight in captivating performances, and let their imaginations run free in a world where fantasy comes to life. Board member Sheryl White will serve as Gala Chair, with Karen and Don* Cohn as the Honorary Chairs. This one-night-only fundraising event will benefit the Globe's nationally recognized Arts Engagement department and artistic programs.

The 2026 Globe Gala will feature entertainment by the talented Broadway star, multiple Emmy Award-winner, and Grammy Award-nominee, Wayne Brady.

Brady made his Broadway debut starring as legal showman Billy Flynn in the long-running hit musical, Chicago. Soon after he starred as the ground-breaking character Lola in Kinky Boots, Broadway's Tony Award-winning Best Musical, with music and lyrics by Cyndi Lauper and a book by Harvey Fierstein. Brady would later headline as Aaron Burr in the Chicago production of Lin-Manuel Miranda's Tony Award-winning juggernaut Hamilton. He again joined forces with Miranda, and the duo along with Thomas Kail and Anthony Veneziale, created Freestyle Love Supreme. In 2024, Brady returned to Broadway in the all-new production of The Wiz, leading the cast as the titular character. The production's revival cast recording was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album. Additionally, he received a Grammy Award nomination for his rendition of "A Change is Gonna Come" by Sam Cooke, which can be heard on Brady's debut album. This summer, Brady will star alongside Billy Porter in a limited run of La Cage aux Folles at New York City Center, directed by Robert O'Hara.

A five-time Emmy winner (the first to win Daytime and Primetime awards in two consecutive years), Brady has an impressive TV resume including "Whose Line Is It Anyway?," "The Masked Singer," "Dancing with the Stars," "Black Lightning," "The Good Fight," and Showtime's "American Gigolo." Brady is heavily active behind the scenes wearing the hats of host and executive producer for "Let's Make A Deal," "Game of Talents," as well as "Comedy IQ" and "Wayne Brady: The Family Remix" both of which he also co-created through his production company. All of this follows on the heels of the success of his award-winning daytime talk show "The Wayne Brady Show."

This black-tie event begins at 5:00 p.m. with an appetizers and cocktail reception on the Globe's Copley Plaza, featuring The Young Lions Jazz Conservatory. At 6:30 p.m., guests will join Erna Finci Viterbi Artistic Director Barry Edelstein inside The Old Globe Theatre for a special and exclusive performance by Wayne Brady on the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage, and a paddle raise hosted by auctioneer Juliette Vara. The evening continues at 8:00 p.m. with a seated, alfresco dinner catered by Urban Kitchen Catering, led by Tracy Borkum. The gala's Featured Wine Sponsor is DAOU Vineyards. The evening will conclude with dancing under the stars with San Diego's powerhouse band, Liquid Blue, starting at 9:00 p.m.

Tickets are $1,500 (regular seating) and $2,750 (VIP seating) and include the reception, dinner, special performance, and dancing. Tables of 10 are $15,000 (regular table) and $27,500 (VIP table).