2026-2027 Season, Zach Theatre, Austin
ZACH THEATER ANNOUNCES 2026-27 SEASON
Including Tony Award®-Winning Hits and the First Production in a Newly Announced Three-Year Trilogy of Works by Women Playwrights
Zach Theater (Zach), Texas’ longest-running professional theater, announces its full 2026-27 Season, reflecting the organization’s commitment to bold, inclusive storytelling that speaks to today’s Austin audiences.
The slate includes the newly announced 2026 Pulitzer Prize winner for Drama and five-time 2026 Tony Award® nominee, the acclaimed new play Liberation by Bess Wohl. Over the next three seasons, Zach will present a trilogy of works by remarkable female playwrights. Liberation begins this journey. Zach will announce the additional titles in the trilogy at a later date.
Producing Artistic Director Dave Steakley said of the three-season commitment, "These stories bridge generations. Stories about women who refused to wait their turn, who stepped forward, and who changed the narrative because they had to. These plays shine a light on both how far we've come, and how far we can all go together."
Additionally, Steakley spoke of the broader programming for the upcoming season as an invitation for the community to gather and connect. "Great storytelling needs an audience. Told sitting close and passed from voice to voice, stories are shaped by the people who tell them and the people who lean in to listen. That's the soul of our 2026-27 Season. Join us in the room where strangers become neighbors."
Early 2027 brings the international comedy sensation and Austin premiere of Peter Pan Goes Wrong. The team behind the Tony Award®-winning global hit, The Play That Goes Wrong, unleashes their trademark comic mayhem on the J.M. Barrie classic Peter Pan with a raucous family-friendly comedy disaster. Brace yourselves for an awfully big adventure when an inept and accident-prone drama club sets out to present the much-loved classic tale of Peter Pan, their most audacious production to date, in Peter Pan Goes Wrong.
Spring at Zach brings the Tony Award®-winning musical The Color Purple. With a soul-raising, Grammy®-winning score of jazz, gospel, ragtime and blues, The Color Purple gives an exhilarating new spirit to Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. Set against the backdrop of 40 years, The Color Purple chronicles the inspiring journey of Celie, following her evolution from a downtrodden young woman to a beacon of hope and empowerment. Discovering her inner strength and voice amidst a lifetime of adversity, this musical celebration is a testament to the human spirit and the healing power of love.
Fresh off an acclaimed Broadway run, Summer 2027 brings the daring new play Liberation—fiery, funny, and unafraid to ask what happens when a fight doesn’t end but evolves. Liberation blends the past and present, following a daughter as she pieces together her mother's revolutionary past.
Disney’s The Little Mermaid will soar to breathtaking new heights with extraordinary aerialist staging in this magical under-the-sea spectacle. Follow the enchanting journey of Ariel, whose quest for love and self-discovery reminds us to cherish our dreams and find the courage to pursue them against all odds. With timeless songs like “Under the Sea" and "Part of Your World," this family classic will be Austin’s most unforgettable summer adventure.
Zach serves up another stylish whodunit with Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None. On the heels of the 2026 smash hit production of Murder on the Orient Express, Zach brings Agatha Christie back for another evening of primal murder that keeps the mystery going, and audiences guessing.
Holiday Season add-ons include Dave Steakley’s modern hit musical and family-friendly adaptation of A Christmas Carol. Sold out seven years running, A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens returns for the 12th year with its annual refresh including new songs and surprises for the season.
Also returning for the holiday is A Charlie Brown Christmas by Charles M. Schulz, based on the beloved Peanuts special. Featuring Vince Guaraldi’s iconic jazz score, this stage version brings the simplicity of the original to life.
Zach’s 2026-27 Family Series includes two season add-ons starting with the remount of Zach’s 2017 production of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, adapted from C.S. Lewis’ classic tale. Journey through the Wardrobe to Narnia for an imaginative adventure to help Aslan defeat the White Queen. With just two actors and a lot of theatrical magic, this classic tale comes to life in a way never before experienced.
Spring 2027 will bring Go, Dog. Go! | Ve Perro ¡Ve!. Adapted by acclaimed playwriting duo and local Austinites Allison Gregory and Steven Dietz, this classic book becomes a bilingual fiesta following delightful dogs and their fantastic adventures with pure joy from start to finish.
Patrons may visit zachtheater.org/seasonpreview to sign up for updates and notifications on the upcoming season. Season Subscriptions are available now to renewing and new subscribers. Single tickets to go on sale later this Summer.
2026-2027 SEASON
PETER PAN GOES WRONG
Winter 2027 | The Topfer at Zach
Written by Jonathan Sayer, Henry Lewis, and Harry Shields
Flying actors, pyrotechnics, sharp hooks. What could possibly go wrong? Buckle up for a side-splitting rollercoaster of a comedy that never slows down. From the Tony Award®-winning creators of The Play That Goes Wrong, this hilarious show launches into action from the moment the lights come up… and immediately goes off the rails. With casting disputes, wardrobe malfunctions, and collapsing sets, the journey to Neverland veers wildly off course in this laugh-out-loud spectacle. It’s the most joyfully unhinged night out you’ll have in Austin, and proof that live theater is truly a miracle. (Please remain seated. Or don’t. We’ve lost control.)
Age Recommendation: Ages 8+.
THE COLOR PURPLE
Spring 2027 | The Topfer at Zach
Book by Marsha Norman
Music and Lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis, Stephen Bray
Based on the novel written by Alice Walker and the Warner Bros./Amblin Entertainment Motion Picture
Both a Tony® and Grammy Award®-winner, The Color Purple is a poignant and transformative story about bringing light back into your life. Based on Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, Celie’s unforgettable journey unfolds over four decades in the American South as she faces hardship with grace, courage, and a growing resolve to reclaim her life. The extraordinary score stuns with soaring hallelujahs, electrifying juke joint rhythms, and show-stopping anthems. Experience this masterpiece at Zach and leave with a powerful reminder that it's never too late to fully arrive.
Age Recommendation: Ages 13+. This production contains overt racism and sexism, depictions of physical and sexual violence, references to rape and incest, and strong language.
LIBERATION
Summer 2027 | The Kleberg at Zach
Written by Bess Wohl
Fresh off an acclaimed Broadway run, Liberation is the 2026 Pulitzer Prize winner for Drama and a newly announced Tony Award® nominee. Funny, unflinching, and completely on fire, it’s a provocative new play about the fight that never quite ends. Liberation follows a daughter as she pieces together her mother's past. Discovering that her mother was part of a 1970s women’s revolutionary group determined to change their lives (and the world), she grapples with the fact that their work is hilariously, and upsettingly, unfinished. As the past and present collide, Liberation confronts the questions we’re still asking: what have we won, what have we lost, and where do we go from here? From Tony Award® nominees Bess Wohl and Whitney White, Liberation is fierce, fearless, and made for this moment.
Age Recommendation: Ages 17+. This production features adult language, nudity, and herbal cigarettes, making it unsuitable for younger children.
DISNEY’S THE LITTLE MERMAID
Summer 2027 | The Topfer at Zach
Music by Alan Menken
Lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater
Book by Doug Wright
Based on the Hans Christian Andersen story and the Disney film that was produced by Howard Ashman & John Musker and written & directed by John Musker & Ron Clements. Originally Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions.
Life is the bubbles! Disney’s iconic tale comes to life with breathtaking aerialists in this under-the-sea spectacle, where actors swim, soar, and swirl through the air on silks. Join Ariel, Flounder, Sebastian, and the evil sea witch Ursula on a thrilling journey as a brave little mermaid trades her fins for feet. Featuring the classic songs "Kiss the Girl," “Poor Unfortunate Souls," "Part of Your World," and more, this will be Austin’s most unforgettable summer adventure. Experience this cherished story about finding your voice and daring to use it.
Age Recommendation: Ages 5+.
AGATHA CHRISTIE’S AND THEN THERE WERE NONE
Summer 2027 | The Topfer at Zach
Written by Agatha Christie
Ten strangers, one island, no way out. Austin, you asked for more. We're serving up another delicious Agatha Christie whodunit this season, based on the best-selling mystery novel of all time. And Then There Were None is a heart-pounding night of secrets, suspicion, and intrigue that will keep you guessing until the final breathless moment. As a storm rolls in, guests meet their demise one by one, each death following a chilling rhyme and leaving the survivors scrambling to uncover who’s next, and who’s behind it all. Round up your notepads and flashlights, we're shining a light on every shadowy corner until the truth has nowhere left to hide.
Age Recommendation: Ages 14+. This production contains various depictions of violence and death. Theatrical effects include gunshots, other loud noises, sudden lighting changes, and haze.
HOLIDAY ADD-ON:
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
November–December 2026 | The Topfer at Zach
By Charles Dickens
Adapted and Directed by Dave Steakley
Musical Direction by Allen Robertson
This is how Austin does the holidays! Zach's beloved take on A Christmas Carol returns to light up the stage with dazzling pop music, infectious energy, and unbridled joy. Dickens' timeless tale of a lonely miser who’s visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve gets a glow-up in this bold musical adaptation. Follow Ebenezer Scrooge as he journeys through the past, present, and future in this musical extravaganza that will warm even the coldest heart. Whether it's your twelfth time or your first, join us for the unmissable ATX tradition. This night? Anything but silent.
Age Recommendation: Ages 6+. This production uses strobe lighting effects and haze.
A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS
November – December 2026 | The Kleberg
By Charles M. Schulz
Based on the Television Special by Bill Melendez and Lee Mendelson
Stage Adaption by Eric Schaeffer
With Special Arrangement by Arthur Whitlaw and Ruby Persson
(Family Friendly) The Peanuts crew returns after a sold-out run last season! Charlie Brown’s search for the true meaning of Christmas unfolds with a little help from Snoopy, Linus, and the whole Peanuts posse. Set to Vince Guaraldi’s unforgettable jazz score, this festive show serves up a warm cup of holiday cheer. Sparkling with playful choreography, classic tunes, and timeless Peanuts humor, this story is sure to make your season a whole lot brighter.
Age Recommendation: Ages 5+.
SEASON ADD-ONS:
GO DOG GO! • VE PERRO ¡VE!
Spring 2027 | The Kleberg at Zach
Written by Allison Gregory and Steven Dietz
Adapted from the book Go Dog Go! by P.D. Eastman
Music Composed by Michael Koerner
Translated by Ana Maria Campoy
(Family Friendly) Sit, stay, ¡Ve! Fetch your sense of adventure and follow these delightful dogs as they swim, play ball, and make their way to la gran fiesta de perros, all in a vibrant blend of English y Español. Like a pop-up book leaping off the page, Go, Dog. Go! | Ve Perro ¡Ve! is a bilingual celebration of música, color, e idioma. Packed with expressive physical comedy y imaginación, this playful story is easy to follow and enjoy no matter what language you speak! Bring the whole familia, this show is pure joy from start to finish. Based on the beloved book by P.D. Eastman, Go, Dog. Go! •Ve Perro ¡Ve! was adapted by acclaimed playwriting duo and local Austinites Allison Gregory and Steven Dietz.
Age Recommendation: Ages 3+.
THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE
Fall 2026 – Winter 2027 | The Kleberg at Zach
From the story by C.S. Lewis
Dramatized by le Clanché du Rand
(Family Friendly) Step through the wardrobe and enter Narnia, a frozen world full of magic, adventure, and Turkish delight. In this highly imaginative adaptation of C.S. Lewis’ classic tale, two actors bring four siblings, the noble lion Aslan, The White Witch, and an entire kingdom locked in winter to life onstage. Join Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy Pevensie on a daring journey to defeat the White Witch and break her curse on Narnia. Full of theatrical magic and boundless creativity, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe invites you to shine your light, radiate kindness, and watch the darkness melt away.
Age Recommendation: Ages 5+.
SEASON TICKETS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS:
2026-2027 Season subscriptions start at $229 and are currently on sale at zachtheater.org. Call 512-476-0594 x1 or visit zachtheater.org/subscribe to learn more.
Zach XP subscriptions are $39 per month and give access to all Season shows including Charlotte’s Web now through May 17; Dear Evan Hansen now through May 31; Annie, June 21 – August 2; Sally and Tom, July 22 – August 23; Come From Away, August 19 – September 27; and all 2026-2027 Season shows. Zach XP Members get early access to reserve seats for the 2026-27 Season in Summer 2026. Visit zachtheater.org/zachxp to learn more.
To sign up for updates on subscriptions, season info or general on sale please visit zachtheater.org/seasonpreview.
LICENSING: The Color Purple is presented through special arrangement with and all authorized performance materials are supplied by Theatrical Rights Worldwide. theatricalrights.com.
Peter Pan Goes Wrong is presented in arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Dramatists Play Service, Inc. concordtheatricals.com.
About Zach Theater
Zach Theater is the longest-running professional theater in Texas and one of the ten oldest in the country. Founded in 1921 as Austin Community Players, incorporated in 1932 as Austin Little Theater, and sometime later became Austin Civic Theater; it was renamed the Zachary Scott Theater Center in 1968. Zach is a nonprofit arts organization that creates theater, education, and training programs designed to ignite connection between artists, audiences, students, and the community.
As Austin’s leading professional producing theater, Zach employs more than 300 actors, musicians, and designers each year to stage a bold and diverse array of plays and musicals under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director Dave Steakley and Managing Director Jamie Herlich.
Zach serves nearly 140,000 Central Texans annually, including more than 35,000 children and youth through innovative education programs, camps and classes, and community outreach including over $110,000 annually in financial aid to students to ensure access to theater education. With a strong commitment to inclusion, Zach offers over 52,000 in discounted or free tickets to the community each year.
Guided by a vision to be the place for everyone’s story, Zach is committed to artistic excellence, belonging, innovation, and integrity in everything they do. Learn more at zachtheater.org.
Connect with Zach:
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