THE GLASS MENAGERIE, DRACULA: A COMEDY IN TERRORS, and BAT BOY, Set For Center REP 2026/27 Season
In addition to the four-play season, Center REP announced the return of Harrison David Rivers' adaptation of Charles Dickens' A CHRISTMAS CAROL.
Walnut Creek's Center Repertory Company (Center REP) has announced DREAMERS & DAREDEVILS, the company's 2026/27 season featuring four productions. Tennessee Williams' modern masterpiece, THE GLASS MENAGERIE; the laugh-out-loud reimagining of Bram Stoker's legendary monster, DRACULA: A COMEDY IN TERRORS; Keiko Green's cathartic celebration of love, loss, and everything in between, YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO THE END OF THE WORLD!; and the critically acclaimed cult-favorite, BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL. Casting and full creative teams for each production to be announced at a later date.
In addition to the four-play season, Center REP announced the return of Harrison David Rivers' acclaimed adaptation of Charles Dickens' A CHRISTMAS CAROL, helmed by two-time Obie Award-winning director Jared Mezzocchi. Subscribers can save up to 45% on tickets to A Christmas Carol by adding it to their season. Single and Pay What You Can Tickets will go on sale at a later date.
Said Center REP Artistic Director Matt M. Morrow: “What does the world need right now? This daunting question looms over every season I curate, but this year it seems to have an even greater significance. The answer that cuts through the chaos of the daily news cycle like a thunderbolt for me is Courage. Believing in the importance of live theatre as a bonding agent in community and a balm for the weary soul, Center REP's 59th season DREAMERS & DAREVEILS is populated with people demonstrating the kind of radical bravery I think we can all use a bit of right now. These plays are moving, hilarious, entertaining, and most of all, inspiring. I hope you can join us to discover stories that will help fill our collective gas tank and dare us to be the community we dream of for ourselves and for our loved ones.”
THE GLASS MENAGERIE
September 6–27, 2026
The 2026/27 season kicks off with a legacy revival production of Tennessee Williams' THE GLASS MENAGERIE (September 6–27, 2026). This quintessential American classic graces the Center REP stage as Williams' inspiring and unflinching look at family and longing launches the 26-27 season. Blossoming as a living memory on stage, this ethereal masterpiece redefined American theatre when it premiered over 80 years ago. Gripped by guilt after deserting his mother and sister in a 1930's St. Louis slum, Tom is compelled to investigate what led to the abandonment of his family, and perhaps his soul. Directed by Center REP Artistic Director Matt M. Morrow, this all new Legacy Revival production examines the cost of personal freedom, the depth of sibling bonds, and the consequences of seeking the truth. Performances of THE GLASS MENAGERIE will take place in the Margaret Lesher Theatre at Walnut Creek's Lesher Center for the Arts. Press night will be held on Saturday, September 12, 2026.
DRACULA: A COMEDY OF TERRORS
October 25–November 15, 2026
Next, Center REP will present DRACULA: A COMEDY OF TERRORS (October 25–November 15, 2026). Does your life suck? Are you missing bite in your night? Are you thirsty for a rollicking good time? The nationally acclaimed hit Dracula: A Comedy in Terrors asks one simple question: Who doesn't need a sharp and pointed belly-laugh right about now? Bram Stoker's legendary creature of the night comes to titillating and scintillating life in this fast-paced, outrageous adaptation that will leave you screaming for more! Told by five actors performing nearly 20 characters, ridiculous is the name of the game in this gothic horror tale turned tour de force of physical performance. This unhinged, mad cap comedy beckons you to the dark side for bloody good time! Performances of DRACULA: A COMEDY IN TERRORS will take place in the Margaret Lesher Theatre at Walnut Creek's Lesher Center for the Arts. Press night will be held on Saturday, October 31, 2026.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
December 9–21, 2026
Ringing in the holiday season, Center REP will present the return of Harrison David Rivers' acclaimed adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic, A CHRISTMAS CAROL (December 9–21, 2026). In this heartfelt and exceedingly lively new adaptation, a young Tim Cratchit makes a wish on a candle, invoking a series of ghostly visitors to the bedside of miserly Ebenezer Scrooge. With a “humbug!” on his breath, the curmudgeon is whisked away on a journey of awakening. Celebrated playwright Harrison David Rivers' tender retelling highlights the necessity of caring for the most vulnerable among us while delivering a profound love letter to Dickens' beloved story. Nationally acclaimed director Jared Mezzocchi (Center REP's Froggy) brings Victorian London and its netherworld to vivid life in this time-honored tale that asks us to contemplate the value of empathy over financial profits. Center REP is proud to, once again, partner with AXIS Dance Company, one of the nation's most acclaimed ensembles of disabled, non-disabled, d/Deaf and neurodiverse performers, on this production. Performances of A CHRISTMAS CAROL will take place in the Hofmann Theatre at Walnut Creek's Lesher Center for the Arts. Press night will be held on Friday, December 11, 2026.
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO THE END OF THE WORLD!
February 14–March 7, 2027
In early 2027, Center REP will present the Bay Area premiere of Keiko Green's cathartic celebration of love, loss, and everything in between, YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO THE END OF THE WORLD! (February 14–March 7, 2027). Welcome one and all to a sequined celebration of life, family, and the profound connection we all share just by being alive. When M's parents receive some life-shattering news, their small yet mighty family of three must grapple with the life they've lived, as well as the one they haven't. This hilarious and heartfelt Valentine-of-a-show zooms through the waking and dream lives of its family (with guest appearances by child environmentalist Greta Thurnberg), on a journey of acceptance and deliverance. Buckle up! Who knew the end of the world could be such a thrill? Performances of YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO THE END OF THE WORLD! will take place in the Margaret Lesher Theatre at Walnut Creek's Lesher Center for the Arts. Press night will be held on Saturday, February 20, 2027.
BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL
June 6–July 4, 2027
Center REP will close out their 2026/27 season with BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL (June 6–July 4, 2027). Deep in a cave in rural America, a group of teenagers discover a creature living in the dark: a half-boy, half-bat in need of a home—and maybe just a little sip of blood. When the local veterinarian's family takes him in, they name him Edgar and teach him how to live like a human—fangs and all. However, gaining acceptance into their small town beset by economic hardship is a bat of a different color. Tensions spike as the local cow population begins to mysteriously die off and long-held secrets tease out the darker side of Edgar and the community surrounding his new-found family. Penned by “one of the 21st centuries finest musical-theater talents” (The New York Times) and powered by a pulsating rock score, this critically acclaimed cult-favorite whips together horror, heart, and high-voltage humor into a frothy yet sharp satire about societal prejudice and the need we all have to belong. Performances of BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL will take place in the Margaret Lesher Theatre at Walnut Creek's Lesher Center for the Arts. Press night will be held on Saturday, June 12, 2027.
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