Announcing the 26-27 Season

Jamie Ulmer • March 31, 2026

Spring is in the air, things are greening up, and there is a sense of growth and renewal. It’s appropriate that this is also the time of year when we unveil the shows for our upcoming 2026–2027 50th Anniversary Season!


We’ll be bringing you a tremendous lineup of six musicals and plays. With our 50th season in mind, we have brought together nostalgic classics alongside new and thought-provoking shows. In addition to the regular season, we are pleased to continue some new traditions, including producing an edgy show in the fall and bringing back the Musical in Concert concept after a year’s absence.


Regular season:

  • Pirates! The Penzance Musical
  • Holiday show – TBA May 25
  • On Golden Pond
  • Conscience
  • The 39 Steps
  • Come from Away

Bonus shows:

  • Lizzie
  • The Light in the Piazza – in concert


Learn more about these shows here.


Crafting a well-rounded season that speaks to the variety of voices in our community is one of the most challenging things we do each year. The process takes months, and sometimes, when we think we’ve found the perfect show or shows, the curtain quickly falls when we discover the rights aren’t available due to a national tour or a nearby professional production. Occasionally we have to wait to announce a show for the same reasons - I’m looking over the rainbow at you, December family musical.


I sometimes describe season selection as being like giving birth to a child. It’s exciting and new, but also scary because you want it to be perfect, and you don’t want to mess it up.


We hope you will join us on this exciting journey throughout our upcoming 50th season.


Season Tickets on sale now!

Theatre Lawrence News & Announcements

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A summer filled with JOY

By Jamie Ulmer • July 20, 2026
Joy. That's the only word I can think of to describe the feeling that has been radiating from the TL stage over the past several weeks. First came the joy of our annual Penguin Project production. Seeing youth with special needs take the stage and experience the audience's warm appreciation each night is nothing short of magical. This year's production of Alice in Wonderland Jr. proved it with time-obsessed rabbits, murderous Queen of Hearts, and ever-growing and shrinking young Alices. That was followed last weekend by our sold-out run of Guys and Dolls SR ., our very first Vintage Players senior musical. The joy was written on the face of every cast member, some of whom were appearing in their very first show (one made her acting debut at 83!). That joy carried over after each performance as friends, children, and grandchildren eagerly waited to congratulate the cast.  There's one more weekend of summer joy on tap as we present two youth productions, Willy Wonka KIDS and The Aristocats KIDS , playing in repertory this Friday and Saturday. Sharing joy like this makes all the schedule juggling, rehearsals, and investment of resources worthwhile. It reminds us why we support community-based, locally produced theatre. There is truly nothing like it, and we're thrilled to have been bringing that joy to our community for 50 years. Our exciting 50th Anniversary Season is about to begin, and we can't wait to share that joy with you! Jamie Ulmer TL Executive Director
Purple poster with a skull-and-crossbones and the title “PIRATES! Penzance the Musical”

CAST LIST: Pirates! The Penzance Musical

July 17, 2026
View the cast list for 'Pirates! The Penzance Musical.' Tickets go on sale August 3. Check it out!
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