Manatee Performing Arts Center Unveils Diverse 2026–2027 Season Lineup
The Manatee Performing Arts Center has announced its highly anticipated 2026–2027 season, featuring a dynamic mix of beloved musicals, gripping dramas, and thought-provoking plays across its Stone Hall and Bradenton Kiwanis Theater stages. The lineup offers something for every theatergoer, from high-energy Broadway favorites to intimate, character-driven productions.
Stone Hall Season Highlights
The season opens with Fame: The Musical (Aug. 6–16, 2026), an energetic story inspired by the iconic film and television series, following young performers as they navigate ambition, friendship, and the pursuit of stardom at a New York performing arts school.
Next is Dear Evan Hansen (Oct. 22–Nov. 1, 2026), a contemporary musical centered on a socially anxious teenager who becomes entangled in a web of lies after a tragic event, exploring themes of identity, mental health, and connection.
The holiday season brings Anastasia (Dec. 3–13, 2026), a sweeping musical adventure about a young woman seeking her past amid the backdrop of post-revolutionary Russia, blending romance, history, and memorable music.
In the new year, Come From Away (Jan. 21–31, 2027) tells the true story of a small Newfoundland town that welcomed thousands of stranded airline passengers after the September 11 attacks, highlighting compassion and humanity in a time of crisis.
Alice by Heart (Mar. 4–14, 2027) offers a unique, imaginative retelling of Alice in Wonderland, set during World War II in a London bomb shelter, where storytelling becomes a means of escape and resilience.
Closing out the Stone Hall season is Guys and Dolls (Apr. 22–May 2, 2027), a classic musical comedy filled with memorable characters, lively songs, and tales of gamblers, showgirls, and unlikely romance in New York City.
Bradenton Kiwanis Theater Lineup
The more intimate Kiwanis Theater opens with Arsenic and Old Lace (Sept. 3–13, 2026), a dark comedy about two charming elderly sisters with a deadly secret and a family full of eccentric characters.
Carrie: The Musical (Oct. 15–Nov. 1, 2026) follows the story of a bullied high school girl with telekinetic powers, blending horror and emotion in a powerful tale of isolation and revenge.
In January, The Da Vinci Code (Jan. 14–24, 2027) brings the popular thriller to the stage, featuring a fast-paced mystery involving secret societies, hidden clues, and historical intrigue.
Appropriate (Feb. 18–28, 2027) delivers a modern family drama that explores legacy, race, and buried tensions as siblings return to their childhood home to settle their father’s estate.
The season concludes with Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (Apr. 8–18, 2027), a classic drama that examines the complexities of marriage and illusion through a late-night confrontation between two couples.
With its blend of large-scale productions and intimate theatrical experiences, the Manatee Performing Arts Center’s 2026–2027 season reflects a commitment to storytelling that entertains, challenges, and connects the community. From uplifting true stories to intense emotional dramas, the upcoming season promises a wide-ranging theatrical journey for audiences across Manatee County.