SEPT. 10 – OCT. 4: ELEANOR

SEPT. 10 – OCT. 11: PURPOSE

The Huntington at the Wimberly Theatre in the Calderwood Pavilion at the Boston Center for the Arts, 527 Tremont St. in Boston’s South End presents this Tony Award WINNER for Best Play as well as the 2025 Pulitzer Prize WINNER for Drama that was written by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins. This explosive and wildly entertaining new play is directed by Josiah Davis. The story dives headlong into the life of the Jasper family, a prominent and influential political dynasty. Their life has been filled with prominent civil rights leaders, pastors, and congressmen for decades making them the foundational pillar of Black American society. That is, until their youngest son returns home with an unexpected dinner guest, and their carefully curated existence begins to fracture. The impressively seasoned cast includes Ezra Knight as Solomon Jasper, father. (Credit: Othello and Mean Girls on Broadway and Toni Stone Off Broadway.)Phyllis Yyvonne Stickney as Claudine Jasper, mother. (Credits include Tartuffe and Big Momma and ‘Nem Off Broadway and the film Malcolm X.) Omari K. Chancellor as Nazareth Jasper, youngest son. (Credits include Amani Off Broadway, Fences at the Old Globe, and Love Story on FX. ),) Ugo Chukwu as Solomon “Junior” Jasper, oldest son. (Credits include Ripcord at The Huntington, Give Me Carmelita Tropicana! at Soho Rep, and the Broadway national tour of Oklahoma!.) MarHadoo Effeh as Morgan Jasper, wife of Solomon Jr. (Credits include Jaja’s African Hair Braiding at SpeakEasy Stage, Gem of the Ocean at Actors’ Shakespeare Project, and the film Salesman on Amazon Prime.)  And, Kalyne Ashley Coleman  as Aziza Houston, friend of Nazareth. (Credits include JaJa’s African Hair Braiding on Broadway, Four Off Broadway, and Interview with a Vampire on AMC.)  The creative team for Purpose includes scenic design by Se Hyun Oh (The Hills of California at The Huntington); costume design by  Celeste Jennings (Fun Home at The Huntington); lighting design by Marika Kent (Ulysses at The Public); and sound design and original music by Kathy Ruvuna (Cold War Choir Practice Off Broadway). The assistant director is Tasia A. Jones, the wig, hair, and makeup design is by J. Jared Janas and Cassie Williams, the dramaturg is Ashley M. Thomas, the intimacy consultant is Dr. Ayshia Mackie-Stephenson, the voice and text coach is Kim James Bey, the fight consultant is Omar Robinson, and the emerging artist observer is LaTasha Snider. The production stage manager is Ashley Pitchford and the stage manager is Ross Gray. NY Casting is by Danica Rodriguez. Local casting is by Brett Duffy.  Huntington Artistic Director Loretta Greco states, “There is no better way to launch this thrilling new season than with the brilliant Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, whom we are welcoming to The Huntington for the first time, with his stunning play Purpose! Branden has conjured a richly layered family in the throes of a seismic generational reckoning — one worthy of the greatest family dramas. Experiencing Purpose had me constantly trying to catch my breath I was laughing so hard — until its complex truths hit home. The play’s beating heart: a compelling reminder that we allneed something larger and more impactful than ourselves to strive towards in community with others. Perhaps now more than ever.” Director Joseph Davis states,  “Legacy is hard to build. But it’s even harder to escape. The journey of finding yourself is difficult when expectations of who you ought to be, who you were raised to be looks over your head. Is it possible to escape familial demands and carve out a space of your own?” From playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins: “For me, Purpose is a family story that’s trying to transcend, to be about the universal. It’s a play that’s really trying to connect people… it’s about taking stock of the community immediately around you and figuring out how to love deeper and better.” The New York Times stated that PURPOSE was, “A merciless dissection of hypocrisy – you may have trouble catching your breath from laughing so hard.” Tickets for this searing as well a hilarious exploration of faith, class, ambition, and heritage my be obtained at www.huntingtontheatre.org

SEPT. 16 – 27: COME FROM AWAY

Bill Hanney’s North Shore Music Theatre  at 54 Dunham Rd. in Beverly brings this Tony® and Olivier® Award-winning musical as well as worldwide phenomenon to their stage in the round.It is a moving and uplifting musical based on the true story of what happened in the small town of Gander, Newfoundland, on September 11, 2001 when terrorists attacked the World Trade Center in NYC and other sites. As such, thirty eight planes carrying nearly 7,000 passengers were unexpectedly diverted there. What began as a day of global tragedy transformed into a powerful tale of compassion, connection, and humanity as the residents of this isolated community opened their hearts and homes to the stranded travelers. With a vibrant, folk-inspired score and a fast-paced, ensemble-driven narrative, the production captures the tensions, culture clashes, and eventual camaraderie that unfolded over several unforgettable days. Producer and owner of NSMT, Bill Hanney stated, “We’re honored to bring this extraordinary musical to NSMT this season in a dynamic in-the-round production directed and choreographed by Kevin P. Hill. As the nation is commemorating the 25-year anniversary of the events of September 11, this remarkable true story continues to resonate, reminding us all the extraordinary things that can happen when we take care of one another. Come From Away is a powerful reminder that even in our darkest moments, there is still room for kindness, generosity, and hope.” The cast features Brandon Alvión (Bob & Others), Kyle Nicholas Anderson (Oz & Others), David Benoit (Claude & Others), Danny Burgos (Kevin J & Others), Mary Callanan (Beulah & Others), Matthew Bryan Feld (Nick & Others), Laurel Harris (Beverley & Others), Victoria Huston-Elem (Bonnie & Others), Nick Lehan (Kevin T & Others), Alaina Mills (Janice & Others), Susan Oliveras (Diane & Others), and Carla Woods (Hannah & Others). Rounding out the 18-member cast are Marie Eife, Andrew Harvey, Xavier May, Robyn Riddick, Robert Saoud, and Nicole Weitzman as offstage covers. The book, music and lyrics are all by Irene Sankoff & David Hein. Directed and Choreographed by Kevin P. Hill. Dr. Michael McBride is the Music Director, Jack Mehler is the Scenic & Lighting Designer. Costume Designs are by Rebecca Glick,  Ryan Marsh is the Sound Designer. Wig & Hair Designs are by Rachel Padula-Shufelt ), In addition, Keri Safran (Dialect Coach), Alaina Mills (Associate Director & Choreographer), Marshall Lee Smith Jr. (Production Stage Manager), Robert L. Rucinski (Assistant Music Director), Maria Papadopoulos (Assistant Stage Manager), and Elena Ring (Assistant Stage Manager. The production is sponsored by Nicholas Newhall, Realtor®, and is produced for North Shore Music Theatre by Bill Hanney (Owner/Producer), Kevin P. Hill (Producing Artistic Director), and Matthew Chappell (Associate Producer/Casting Director). COME FROM AWAY is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International. Tickets for this heartrending and uplifting musical gem that celebrates the best of the human spirit and the extraordinary capacity for good in the face of crisis, may be obtained at www.nsmt.org

SEPT. 18 – 21: FIFTH ANNUAL SAATh FESTIVAL

Off-Kendrik, the Boston-based nonprofit dedicated to serving the South Asian community through Art, Theater, and Storytelling, is back with their fifth annual South Asian American Theater (SAATh) Festival, September 18-20 at the Mosesian Center for the Arts at 321 Arsenal Street in Watertown.  Saath means “coming together”so the three-day celebration aims to bring people of all backgrounds together for a multilingual theatre and cultural experience surrounding people who have settled far from their ancestral homelands throughout South Asia .  SAATh thus brings together creative groups from across the country, performing original productions. This year’s festival will honor the memory of longtime Off-Kendrik member Jayanta Mukhopadhyay whose legacy surrounds his tireless effort to make this event successful. Apart from acting, Jayanta also brought his directorial skills and song-writing talent to many Off-Kendrik productions. His vision created “Naksha”, an experimental series of skits that introduced many of the current Off-Kendrik family into the group. He directed productions such as Aleek Rasta and Mr. Sashmal, and his songs, which he wrote and composed, were featured in street theater formats such as Khelure and in shows like Lokkhoner Shaktishel, Dikchihnoheen, and many others. He was instrumental in bringing Off-Kendrick’s South Asian America Theater Festival to fruition. His wife Mahua and sons Maitrayan and Reetahan embraced his philosophy and were constant ly present and supportive at Off-Kendrik events.  The narratives from these shows address a range of issues in multiple languages, including the complexities of love, morality, mental illness, homelessness and much more. This makes the festival more than a celebration of multiculturalism but also offers insight into the diversity of the South Asian-American diaspora by providing a rare opportunity for education and enrichment. Every performance will be super-captioned in English, which makes it accessible for all audiences. This years works are created in Hindi, Gujarati, Punjabi, Kashmiri, Kannada, English, Bengali, Mayalama, and Marathi. “As the world around us gets more challenging and complex, Off-Kendrik has realized the necessity of creating a platform for opening dialogues and building partnerships between communities,” said SAATh Artistic Director Sankha Bhowmick. For a complete list of programs and to obtain tickets, visit www.saathfest.com

SEPT. 18 – OCT. 18: ALL MY SONS

The Lyric Stage Boston at 140 Clarendon Street, 2^nd Floor, in Boston brings Arthur Miller’s famed tragedy about post-war guilt and moral responsibility. Directed by Paul Kastner, the story was inspired by a 1940s Ohio newspaper story about a young woman who reported her own father to the FBI for manufacturing and shipping defective aircraft engines to the U.S. military during World  War II.  It is set in 1947, in the Midwestern backyard of the Keller family. There, we find the successful business entrepreneur, Joe Keller, his wife Kate, his son Chris and his girlfriend Ann Deever. Chris is about to ask Ann to marry him but domestic tensions are quite evident.  Ann, was Chris’ brother Larry’s fiancé who was reported to be missing in action. Chris’ mom, Kate refuses to believe that her son Larry is dead so becomes furious at the idea and forbids Chris to propose to Ann.  To complicate matters, Ann’s father, Steve Deever was Joe’s business partner. Joe had once been arrested for shipping defective airplane parts to the military, which in turn, caused the crash of 21 fighter planes . But Joe Joe was exonerated by carefully deferring the entire blame onto Steve who was then convicted and sent to prison.  Ann’s brother, George, arrives after visiting their father in prison. He now has realized that Joe was equally guilty as his father and attempts to stop his sister from marrying Chris. With the painful and stunning revelation that his father was also complicit in this war crime, Chris ibecomes horrified that his father chose money and family over the livews of all those pilots. Also it is revealed when all see a letter Kate had from Larry further reinforces the true scope of Joe’s actions. How will Joe attain retribution?  Leading the cast are Laura Marie Duncan* in the role of Kate Keller and Bill Mootos* as her husband, Joe Keller. Mark Souza* is Chris Keller while Josephine Moshiri Elwood* is Ann Deever. They are joined by Allison Beauregard as Sue Bayliss with Chris Heuisler as Dr. Jim Bayliss. Julian Hirshfield is Bert, Cara Clough is Lydia, Eric McGowan is Frank Lubey, and Quinton Kappel as George Deever. Tickets for this intense tale may be obtained at www.lyricstage.com

SEPT. 23 – NOV. 15: WICKED

Lexus Broadway In Boston 2026/2027 season brings back to the Citizens Bank Opera House at 539 Washington Street in Boston this stunning musical that captured three Tony Awards as well as the hearts of theater goers around the world.Based on the Novel by Gregory Maguire, the Play Book is by Winnie Holzman and the memorable Score and Lyrics are by Stephen Schwartz. Directed by Joe Mantello with Choreography and Musical Staging by Wayne Cilento this is the untold prequel that prefaces many characters and happenings we all know from L Frank Baum’s 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of OZ. The audience visits Oz and experiences a time before Dorthy arrived. The still young and just novice witches that one knows from the original tale are sent to Shiz University to hone their witching skills. The focus is on Galinda, a bubbly, happy girl who ultimately becomes known as the ‘Good Witch.’ She initially is horrified when she discovers that her roommate is the excruciatingly shy Elphaba that was cursed with green skin. But after a bumpy start, Galinda and Elphaba become close friends and Galinda renames herself “Glinda” to honor their teacher, Dr. Dillamond, her goat professor who is being targeted by anti-animal discrimination. Ironically, Elphaba begins exhibiting exceptionally unique magical skills that attract the interest of Madame Morrible, the head of the sorcery department. She arranges for Elphaba and Glinda to come to the Emerald City and meet the Great Wizard of Oz himself…who may not to be as great as we would assume. When meeting the Wizard, the young witches are shocked to discover that the Wizard has no magic in himself plus, he is the one who is responsible for stripping the Animals of having nay rights as well as their ability to speak. From that moment on, we come to understand how the reticent and kind Elphaba evolves into becoming the feared Wicked Witch of the West. The transformation is astonishing! Time passes and Glinda becomes a political puppet for the Wizard while Elphaba has gone “underground” to champion for the rights of the animals. The Tornado that brings Dorothy over the rainbow to Oz is discovered to have been created by the Madame Morrible. She hoped to draw Elphaba out of hiding by dropping Dorothy’s house on Nessarose (the Wicked Witch of the East) who was Elphaba’s handicapped younger sister, originally named Nessa. Of course,every fairy tale needs a prince…and Prince Fiyero Tigelaar, a Winkie prince from the Arjiki tribe who once dated Glinda, at Shiz University, decides to join Elphaba’s cause.The Wizard encourages the people of Oz to find and destroy Elphaba. They capture Prince Fiyero, torturing him to reveal Elphaba’s location. Ultimately, our now famous Dorothy Gale from Kansas is pitted against Elphaba ,throwing the proverbial bucket of water at the evil witch. But what happens next ????  This story is filled with surprises. The outstanding cast for this touring production include Aline Mayagoitia as Elphaba; Claudia Bennett as Glinda; Ethan Kirschbaum as Prince Fiyero; Susan Cella as Madame Morrible; Tom McGowan as The Wizard; Pablo David Laucerica as the Munchkin, Boq; Cristina Sastre as Nessarose; Drew McVety as Doctor Dillamond; and Adelina Mitchel as Elphaba Standby. They are joined by 25 ensemble members, swings, and dance captains, creating a spectacularly plush production. The creative team includes Scenic Design by Eugene Lee,; Costume Design: Susan Hilferty; Lighting Design by Kenneth Posner; Sound Design by Tony Meola; Projection Design by Elaine J. McCarthy; Hair and Wig Design by Tom Watson; and Makeup Design by Joe Dulude II. Your heart will soar with this production of Wicked. Even if you have seen this a dozen times….the magic will always remain!Tickets are available here at www.BroadwayInBoston.com

SEPT. 25: JOHN CRIST LIVE TOUR

The Boch Center Shubert Theatre at 265 Tremont Street in Boston hosts this popular comedian as he makes a stop on his Live tour. Crist continues selling out venues nationwide on this tour that kicked off on January 23rd in Joliet, IL. Drawing more than 8 million online fans, signature brand of comedy is known for its “unique ability to get people laughing at themselves” (The Tennessean). Fresh off a recent sold-out homecoming show at the Grand Ole Opry House, which featured a surprise appearance from fellow comedian Nate Bargatze, Crist continues his Spring tour run with upcoming shows in Houston, Milwaukee, Anaheim, Cedar Rapids and beyond. With more than 1 billion views across social platforms, Crist’s unmistakable comedy has appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Good Morning America, Fox & Friends,ESPN’s SEC Network and more. His latest special, John Crist: Emotional Support, has garnered more than 3.9 million views, and he recently celebrated the 200th episode of his Net Positive with John Crist podcast, which has featured celebrity guests like Tim Tebow, Matt Rife, Leanne Morgan, Dave Ramsey, ERNEST, Lauren Diagle, Creed’s Scott Stapp, Michael W. Smith and Kirk Herstreit. Fans can catch new episodes weekly,“Y’all keep filling up these theaters, and I’ll keep coming to town!” Crist said. “Especially the new cities! Huntington WV and Torrington, CT, I’ve literally never been to. Those types of shows are always a blast!” To purchase tickets, visit www.bochcenter.org

SEPT. 25 – OCT. 17: COVENANT

Speakeasy Stage at the Roberts Studio Theatre in the Calderwood Pavilion at the Boston Center for the Arts, 527 Tremont Street, in Boston’s South End opens their season with York Walker’s Southern Gothic thriller. Directed by Dawn M. Simmons the story is set in the Jim Crow South in 1936 and was inspired by the myth and the extraordinary talent surrounding the legendary blues guitarist, Robert Johnson. He spent his career playing on street corners and ‘jake joints’ in the Mississippi Delta and only accomplished two recoding sessions from 1936 -1937 for a total of 29 songs. He died in 1938 and has now been considered to be the first member of the “27 Club”…musicians such as Jim Hendrix, Kurt Coban, Janis Joplin and Amy Wienhouse, who all died at age 27. Yet, posthumously, this master of the blues is mentioned in contemporary songs, been a character in various productions, and literally acquired numerous Hall of Fame honors, as well as a U.S. Postage stamp made with his image. Playwrite Walker has created a fabulous tale with a literary doppelgänger of Robert Johnson calling him Johnny “Honeycomb” James, played by Anthony T. Goss. He is an elusive man who seems to have magically mastered the guitar overnight. He returns home now famous, changed, with a stunning ability with the guitar and able to write jaw dropping lyrics. Nothing that anyone in town can explain. When people don’t understand something they feel compelled to make something up. So people in this small town chose to rely on a myth…because “A good myth might as well be the truth.” Like Robert Johnson’s legend, Walker’s Johnny James must have met the Devil at a Mississippi crossroads and sold his soul for mastery of the guitar. He becomes caught up “in a town that remembers everything and forgives nothing. His return cracks open old stories and new accusations. Soon no one can agree on what’s true, only on what feels true enough to believe.”  The people, driven by super religiosity and are weighed down by secrets of their own, viscously wield their judgmental swords and jump on the gossip train shouting rumors out loud. The people chose to only remember the boy with the stutter and a man of no consequence who left town to seek fame and fortune. But when he inexplicably returns, filled with confidence, charisma and a repertoire of seductive blues melodies for the girl Avery that he has always loved, the demons come out of the woodwork and it seems that the devil is expecting to be paid his dues. Joined by the love struck, naive young friend Ruthie, played by Kayla Sessoms along with the hard core, hyper strict black Mama who obsessively believes God will make things right, played by Crystin Gilmore, and her two daughters, the obedient Avery, played by Deannah Dripp Blemur nd the rebellious Violet, played by Sydney Alicia Jackson., Walker has beautiful sculpted each character, making them gloriously human as well as painfully vulnerable. Tickets for this psychological horror story that reflects on the depths of culture, the power of sins, the secrets they hold, and how they can destroy the very soul may be obtained at www.speakeasystage.com

SEPT. 25 – OCT. 27: SHEAR MADNESS

Greater Boston Stage Company at 395 Main Street in Stoneham originally written as a serious play by German playwright Paul Pörtner and was titled Scherenschnitt). It was then adapted into the comedic American version by Marilyn Abrams and Bruce Jordan, and ran at the Charles Playhouse in Boston for forty stunning years. Directed by Tyler Rosati and Liv Dumaine, this interactive silly, murder mystery is set in a local hairstyling salon. The customers are a unique and quirky collection of outrageous clients. When the eccentric lady who lives upstairs over the shop is mysteriously murdered, impaled with a pair of hair cutting shears, everyone in the salon—staff and customers alike—become prime suspects. There is the flamboyant salon manager, the ditzy assistant, a shady antique dealer, or the snooty , wealthy socialite. It is up to the audiencew when the play pauses so the audience can act as detectives. They can question the suspects live on stage, and point out clues they noticed during the performance. So be advised to watch all the action closely as the clue to who is the murderer my fall on you. The cast includes Alex Leondedis as Mikey Thomas, the Rookie Undercover cop; Cheryl L. McMahon as Mrs. Shubert, the uptight socialite; Mark Linehan as Eddie Lawrence, the shady, antique dealer; Ceit M. Zweil as Barbara DeMarco, the flighty assistant; Tyler Rosati as Tony Whitcomb, the owner (co-director); Joseph Marrella as Nick O’Brien; the tough undercover cop: and Sarah Morin as Understudy. This cast wields some outrageously funny, razor-sharp improvisation based on current headlines that send the sudience repeatedly into laugh-out-loud mode. Uniquely, the action shifts nightly based on the audience’s sleuthing skills. Will they catch the killer, or let them slip away Shear Madness was the winner of multiple “Best Comedy of the Year” awards from The Boston Globe and received honors from the Mystery Writers of America. The show is generally recommended for ages 13 and up. Tickets for this ultimate, fun night out, that is full of twists, turns, and lots of laughter may be obtained at www.greaterbostonstage.org

SEPT. 25 – 27: CIRQUE US STORIES

Wheelock Family Theatre at 180 Riverway in Boston has had an ongoing collaboration with Cirque Us, a New England-based circus entertainment and education company that are the proud recipient of the 2023 Philadelphia Fringe Festival Award for “Best Circus” and the 2024 What the Fringe Award for “Best Kids Show.” This partnership had included Wheelock’s summer class offering titled “Under The Big Top”. Now, Wheelock and Cirque Us have joined to bring this thoughtfully curated show that flips through the pages of the troupe’s favorite stories to bring a touching as well as thrilling narrative about community and identity. These tales show jump off the page with twists, flips, rewrites, and retelling of stories audiences will surely love. The show features aerialists, jugglers, acrobats, contortionists, clowns, and more. It is charmingly curated for young audiences and is perfectly designed to partner with public schools and public libraries. Cirque Us’ mission is “to spread circus magic and build confident communities”. Tickets for this family friendly event may be obtained at www.wheelockfamilytheatre.org

THROUGH SEPT. 27: RHINOCEROS

The American Repertory Theater brings to the stage of the Loeb Drama Center at 64 Brattle Street in Cambridge Eugène Ionesco’s l1959 absurdist, landmark play. The story follows the residents of a small French town as they inexplicably transform into rhinoceroses,

PaulGiamatti(Jean)andJohnTurturro(Berenger): Credit: Hawver and Hall.  The protagonist is a flawed “everyman” named Bérenger, played by John Turturro. Finding himself thrust into the chaos of this irrational situation, he is faced with the struggle to maintain his individuality as friends, colleagues, and eventually even his love interest, Daisy (Tatiana Maslany) succumb to the mass hysteria.

Tatiana Maslany (Daisy) and John Turturro (Berenger) in performance for A.R.T.’s production of Rhinoceros. Credit: Hawver and Hall. What happens when one becomes the last human resisting the epidemic. This play is a marvelous reminder of the destructiveness surrounding social pressure and the dangers of mob mentality as the towns people were initially afraid of the first Rhino but joyously rationalize the power and simplicity of the beast. Just like when Hitler or other authoritarian leaders have controlled the populace.The cast also includes Harriett D. Foy (Housewife), Paul Giamatti (Jean), Peter Francis James (Grocer / Papillon), Kristine Nielsen (Grocer’s Wife / Mrs. Boeuf), Alex Ross (Dudard), and Clay Singer (Botard / Waiter). Britt Faulkner, David Mason, and Scott Stangland are understudies. The production features a scenic design by Obie Award winner Riccardo Hernández (Carmen at the Glyndebourne Opera UK; Jagged Little Pill; The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess; others at A.R.T.). The costume design is by Drama Desk Award winner Anita Yavich (Floyd Collins on Broadway; Snow in June at A.R.T.). The lighting design is by Tony Award winner Jen Schriever (Romeo and Juliet; 1776; others at A.R.T.), and the special effects design is by Markus Maurette (The Lost Boys, Stranger Things: The First Shadow on Broadway). Hair and wig designs are by Tom Watson. Drama Desk Award winner.  Thomas Schall (Romeo and Juliet; 1776 at A.R.T.) is the fight director; and Jill Johnson (Crossing at A.R.T.) is the movement advisor. Ryan Gohsman is the Production Stage Manager. Casting is by ARC Casting/Duncan Stewart, CSA & Jarrett Reiche, CSA. Karina Cowperthwaite is the associate director, Omid Akbari and Jessie Baldinger are the associate scenic designers, Andrew Wehling is the associate costume designer, Aaron Tacy is the associate lighting designer, and Bailey Trierweiler is the associate sound designer. Tickets for this effective warning for today may be purchased at www.AmericanRepertoryTheater.org/Rhinoceros

SEPT. 25 – NOV 8: BAT BOY…THE MUSICAL

Umbrella Stage Company at the Umbrella Arts Center, 40 Stow St in Concord opens their season with this cult classic hit that won the award for best Off-Broadway musical ias well as the Lucille Lortel Award. In addition it captured two Richard Rodgers Awards from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and the Outer Critics Circle Award. Directed by T Jeremy Johnson (SpeakEasy Stage’s“Swept Away”), this is an American horror rock musical with a book by Keythe Farley and Brian Flemming and music and lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe. Johnny Shea, winner of the 2026 Elliot Norton Award for Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical (Umbrella Stage Company’s “tick,tick…BOOM!”), performs the lead role.. The horror story was inspired by a June 23, 1992 ‘fake news”article in the tabloid Weekly World News. They claimed that there had been discovered a half-boy, half-bat, wo they dubbed as “Bat Boy“,living in a cave. So,with tongue in cheek humor the horror-comedy was born. It opens with three teenagers crawling around some local caves near their small town, There they discover this part human boy. He is helped by the local Veterinarian and his wife, Meredith, but the town is threatened by his presence and think their cattle are under siege by the Bat Boy who has now been given the Christian name of Edgar. Everyone wants to kill him but Meredith patiently teaches him to speak while her husband, Dr. Parker feeds him blood. But when Julie, one of the teens dies, the town goes after Edgar. Meredith and her daughter Shelly flee into the woods to find and save him. But the plot continues to twist with unexpected revelations that result in a lot of very sad and violent occurrences. The production is recommended for ages 13 and up (or PG-13), although some regional theater guidelines can range to older teens. Tickets for this gruesome, Halloween tale may be purchased at www.theumbrellaarts.org

OCT. 6–11: SPAMALOT

Lovingly ripped from Monty Python and the Holy Grail, this hysterically funny musical returns to Boston for the first time in nearly two decades. The Boch Center Wang Theatre at 270 Tremont Street brings this recipient of three Tony Awards®, including Best Musical, to Boston audiences. Reaffirming the enduring appeal of Monty Python’s distinctive British wit and comedic brilliance, this production coincides with the anniversary of Monty Python and the Holy Grail, the 1975 British comedy film based on the Arthurian legend that was written and performed by the Monty Python comedy group. This all new musical production is filled with inventive staging, design, and exceptional performances that will bring old fans and introduce new converts into the wonderfully quirky world and enduring legacy of one of comedy’s most influential works. From flying cows to killer rabbits, British royalty to French taunters, dancing girls, rubbery shrubbery, and of course, the Lady of the Lake, SPAMALOT has everything that makes a great ‘knight’ at the theater. The musical features a book and lyrics by Eric Idle and music by John Du Prez and Eric Idle, featuring such well-known songs as “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life,” “The Song That Goes Like This,” “Find Your Grail” and 19 other memorable tunes. The story surrounds King Arthur and his servant Patsy who provides Arthur’s horses hoof beats using coconuts. Arthur is on a quest to find knights for his round table encountering a non stop, bizarrely funny, unexpected cluster of absurd encounters throughout the show. It is tongue in cheek, British humor, filled with rib splitting humor at its best. Tickets may be obtained at www.bochcenter.org

OCT 9 – NOV 22 : I AND YOU

Umbrella Stage Company at the Umbrella Arts Center, 40 Stow St in Concord brings this work by the noted playwright Lauren Gunderson and directed by Michelle Aguillon, the poignant play shines a positive light on youth, life, love, and the unique beauty of human connectedness. It has become one of the most produced plays across the country. The story surrounds two polar diverse teenagers. Caroline has been home bound for months because she has a serious liver disease and is in desperate need of a transplant. Anthony is the popular jock at their school. He knocks at her door while clutching a copy of Walt Whitman’s Leaves Of Grass . He insists that their English teacher has assignment this project and it urgently needs to be completes soon. As these two let down their guards and share their secrets, this seemingly mundane poetry project unlocks a much deeper mystery that has brought them together. Bu this unique poetry by Whitman begins to expands the teens’ sensibilities as they explore the depths of Whitman’s work. Whitman uniquely uses grass as a powerful metaphor. Just as individual blades of grass form a common field, individual humans make up a shared society and return equally to the earth in death The two ultimately travel hand in hand on an emotional trip of self discovery that proves itself to be not only funny and philosophical, but quite moving. as well Tickets for this production that beautifully explores the unseen bonds that unite people across experience and time may be obtained at www.theumbrellaarts.org

OCT. 13 – 25: OPERATION MINCEMEAT

 Lexus Broadway In Boston 2026/2027 season brings to the Emerson Colonial Theatre the Musical  that Turned WWII into a critically acclaimed, fast-paced comedy musical. Based on the true story of a bizarre 1943 secret mission to fool the Nazis by using a stolen corpse, the production is known for its hilarious, high-energy style. The year is 1943 and right now the allies are losing the war. Luckily, or more like shakily, we are about to gamble all our futures on a stolen corpse. Bursting at the seams with the kind of chaos you couldn’t invent, the production prompts the question…how did a dead body, a fake love letter, and – of all people – Ian Fleming come together to “wrong-foot” Hitler? The show follows a group of British intelligence officers who “gambled all our futures on a stolen corpse” to trick the Nazis into shifting their troops, a plot described as “Singin’ in the Rain” meets “Strangers on a Train”.  It originally opened in the West End , quickly becoming a hit and winning the 2024 Olivier Award for Best New Musical. But, when it transferred to Broadway in 2025, Jak Malone won the Tony Award for Best Performer in a Featured Role. The principal cast consists of 5 outrageously funny actors. The book, music, and lyrics were written by David Cumming, Felix Hagan, Natasha Hodgson, and Zoë Roberts. Olivier Award nominated Robert Hastie (Standing at the Sky’s Edge, National Theatre – Best New Musical Olivier Award winner) will reprise his work for the tour. The Choreographer continues with the Olivier Award nominated Jenny Arnold (Jerry Springer: The Opera, National Theatre). The creative team includes Olivier nominated Set and Costume Designer Ben Stones (Standing at the Sky’s Edge); Tony and Olivier winning Lighting Designer Mark Henderson (The History Boys); Tony nominated Sound Designer Mike Walker (Charlie & The Chocolate Factory); Tony nominated Orchestrator Steve Sidwell (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical); and Olivier nominated Music Supervisor Joe Bunker (Spring Awakening). Georgie Staight is Associate Director and Paul Isaiah Isles is Associate Choreographer. Production Stage Management is by Geoff Maus, Casting is by Carrie Gardner, CSA, and General Management is by TT Partners. Taffy Brodesser-Ackner from THE NEW YORK TIMES stated, “IT’S NOT JUST THE BEST MUSICAL I’VE EVER SEEN; IT’S THE MOST REWARDING THEATRICAL EXPERIENCE I’VE EVER HAD.” Tickets for this extraordinary and spectacularly funny tale are available at www.BroadwayInBoston.com

OCT. 15 – 18: TAYLOR MAC and MAT RAY…SONGS FROM BARK OF MILLIONS

ArtsEmerson brings this co-presentation with The Huntington to their Robert J. Orchard Stage in the Emerson Paramount Center, at 559 Washington St. in Boston. This powerhouse collective of international artists will ignite an electrifying collision of performance, live music, and drag spectacle in the latest from theater-making renegades Taylor Mac, Matt Ray, and Machine Dazzle. Through Pomegranate Arts, USA, the team unleashes their creativity in a rock opera meditation on queerness, featuring 55 original songs by Mac and Ray and a bevy of costumes by Dazzle.

With the fierce elation of a pride parade, Bark of Millions is a luxuriant, provocative spectacle unlike any other. Taylor Mac (a MacArthur Fellow, Ibsen Award winner, and Pulitzer Prize finalist) as well as an Obie Award-winning composer …along with Matt Ray, are the masterminds behind this extraordinary event, which was commissioned and produced by Pomegranate Arts. Co-directed by visionaries Niegel Smith and Faye Driscoll and showcasing the extravagance of Machine Dazzle’s costume design, 

OCT 27 – NOV 22 : 1972, A ROCK OPERA

The American Repertory Theater brings to the stage of Harvard University’s Farkas Hall, 12 Holyoke Street, in Cambridge brings this world-premiere rock opera with music and lyrics by Chadwick Stokes and the book is by Chadwick Stokes of the Boston-based indie bands DISPATCH and State Radio with Jessie Nelson (I Am Sam, Waitress the musical). Directed by Jessie Nelson, the story surrounds 19-year-old Hannah who finds herself pregnant as she is fleeing an abusive relationship. She begins to hop trains, riding the rails of America, while outrunning her own ghosts. It is there she finds unexpected camaraderie with three outcasts fleeing their own personal haunted histories. They call themselves the Janes, and are an underground network of courageous women who risk everything to provide a choice to women with nowhere to turn. This production was inspired by true stories surrounding these hidden heroes. It dramatically fuels the ongoing fight for personal freedom.  1972 is written by musician-activist Chadwick Stokes It features an ensemble of actor/musicians that includes Stokes.  “A.R.T.’s 2026/27 programming tells stories of resilience in the most turbulent of times,” said Terrie and Bradley Bloom Artistic Director Diane Paulus.  Season support is provided by Harvard University, The Barr Foundation, The Bob and Alison Murchison New Work Development Fund, The Shubert Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, Massachusetts Cultural Council, Barton & Guestier, and Meyer Sound. Tickets may be obtained at www.AmericanRepertoryTheater.org

OCT. 28 – NOV. 1: ALL THE DEVILS ARE HERE…HOW SHAKESPEARE INVENTED THE VILLAIN

ArtsEmerson brings Octopus Theatricals, USA to the Robert J. Orchard Stage at their Paramount Center, 559 Washington St. in Boston. Dubbed “The villain of Broadway” by Playbill this production captured a Tony Award® Nominee as Grammy Award® Winner Patrick Page has never shied away from exploring his dark side. Now, with this tour-de-force solo performance, he turns his attention to the twisted motivation and hidden humanity at the heart of Shakespeare’s greatest villains. Moving swiftly through the bard’s canon, Page illuminates the playwright’s ever-evolving conception of evil by delving into more than a dozen of his most wicked creations. Thrilling, biting, hilarious, and enlightening…Page delivers ia masterclass on the most terrifying subject of them all: human nature. Tickets for this event may be obtained at www.ArtsEmerson.org

OCT. 29 – NOV. 22: THE GETAWAY DRIVER

Central Square Theater 450 Mass Ave. in Cambridge brings Deborah Salem Smith & Charlie Thurston’s dramatic tale to their stage. Directed by Curt Columbus this Rolling World Premiere is a collaboration with Trinity Rep and Northern Stage. Based on the true story of Katherine Ann Power and Clare Schroeder, this gripping new drama follows two women bound by a single, life-altering moment. It’s 1970. College student Power joins an activist group to protest the war. When their resistance turns deadly, Schroeder must grow up in the shadow of her father’s murder while Power disappears and spends decades on the FBI’s Most Wanted List. Years later, when Power resurfaces seeking redemption, she must confront Schroeder and the past that shaped their lives. Unfolding like a true crime thriller, this remarkable story asks: How far is too far in the fight to do what’s right? Tickets may be obtained at www.centralsquaretheater.org

OCT. 31 – NOV. 22: THE WASH

The Front Porch Art Collective, Boston’s leading Black theater company, opens their 10th Season with this new production at the Roberts Theater, in the Calderwood Pavilion at the Boston Center for the Arts, 527 Tremont Street in Boston’s South End. Written by Kelundra Smith and Directed by Tasia A. Jones, who helmed The Porch’s well-received staged reading of THE WASH last winter. Inspired by a true story, in the 1880’s that surrounds a group of 20 African American washerwomen who formed a trade union in Atlanta, GA called the Washing Society. These laundresses worked long, grueling hours by hand—had to hail their water, make their own lye soap and scrub from dawn to dusk for just $4 to $8 a month. They fought for better wages, demanding a $1 per 12 pounds of wash. Within three weeks, with the help of ministers and Black churches as well as appealing directly to the public, those 20 women became three thousand. Despite overt persecution by the police and the city council, they prevailed and achieved higher wages and more control over their jobs. They also inspired support from multiple other domestic service workers. The cast includes MaConnia Chesser (“Jeanie”), Lindsey Colleli (“Anna”), Eliza Fichter (“Mozelle”), Kiera Prusmack (“Jewel”), Marhadoo Effeh (“Thomasine”), and Victoria Omeregie (“Charity”). Tickets for this heartfelt and stirring story of their rise to respect and autonomy may be purchased at www.frontporcharts.org

(*) Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States