SEASON 88 - 2026/2027
Welcome to our 88th Season!
Heroism doesn’t always wear a cape. Sometimes it looks like survival. Sometimes it’s choosing love in the face of fear, telling the truth when silence feels safer, or daring to imagine a different future. In a world that often asks us to look away, this season invites us to look closer - at the quiet, complicated, and deeply human acts of courage that shape our lives.
From the intimate confines of a prison in Kiss Of The Spider Woman, where fantasy becomes a lifeline and connection becomes resistance, to the living history of The Docent, where friendship blooms amid the uncertainty of a changing world, these stories remind us that heroism often begins in vulnerability. In Luchadora!, a young girl steps into the ring - literally and figuratively - to fight for her family and her identity, while Where Blooming Flowers Meet The Sky explores the bravery it takes to find one’s voice across generations of struggle and legacy.
The Pulitzer Prize-winning Topdog/Underdog examines the fierce, fragile bonds of brotherhood and the courage required to confront the truths we inherit, while Savage Saints bears witness to the enduring strength of survivors reckoning with history’s deepest wounds. Finally, Come From Away celebrates a global moment of compassion, where ordinary people chose extraordinary kindness in the face of tragedy.
Together, these works illuminate the many forms heroism can take - defiant, tender, joyful, and enduring. This season, we celebrate the heroic acts that remind us who we are, what we owe each other, and what becomes possible when we choose courage.
Welcome to Season 88!
From the intimate confines of a prison in Kiss Of The Spider Woman, where fantasy becomes a lifeline and connection becomes resistance, to the living history of The Docent, where friendship blooms amid the uncertainty of a changing world, these stories remind us that heroism often begins in vulnerability. In Luchadora!, a young girl steps into the ring - literally and figuratively - to fight for her family and her identity, while Where Blooming Flowers Meet The Sky explores the bravery it takes to find one’s voice across generations of struggle and legacy.
The Pulitzer Prize-winning Topdog/Underdog examines the fierce, fragile bonds of brotherhood and the courage required to confront the truths we inherit, while Savage Saints bears witness to the enduring strength of survivors reckoning with history’s deepest wounds. Finally, Come From Away celebrates a global moment of compassion, where ordinary people chose extraordinary kindness in the face of tragedy.
Together, these works illuminate the many forms heroism can take - defiant, tender, joyful, and enduring. This season, we celebrate the heroic acts that remind us who we are, what we owe each other, and what becomes possible when we choose courage.
Welcome to Season 88!
September 4-20, 2026
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KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN“I'd do anything for him.”
At its core, Kiss Of The Spider Woman is a story about survival - but at Lakewood Playhouse, it becomes a powerful meditation on what it means to be a hero. Set inside a Latin American prison, two men - Valentín, a hardened revolutionary, and Molina, an imprisoned dreamer condemned for who he is - seem to stand on opposite sides of courage. Yet as their walls slowly come down, acts of heroism emerge not through grand gestures, but through compassion, vulnerability, and the radical choice to see one another fully. In alignment with Lakewood Playhouse’s commitment to storytelling that builds empathy and connection, this production transforms a harrowing tale of persecution into a vivid theatrical experience, where fantasy becomes both refuge and resistance. Molina’s dazzling visions of the glamorous Aurora - and her deadly Spider Woman - offer escape, but also illuminate deeper truths about identity, sacrifice, and love. This is a story where heroism is not defined by strength alone, but by the bravery to imagine, to trust, and to care in a world that punishes all three. The original Broadway production won seven Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Book Of A Musical and Best Original Score. “Compelling, beautiful, funny and moving.” - New York Daily News Book by Terrence McNally Music by John Kander Lyrics by Fred Ebb Based on the novel by Manuel Puig Directed by Joseph C. Walsh |
October 9-25, 2026
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THE DOCENT“It’s almost as if when they were young they decided they could only survive if they helped each other out. So they grew together, one supported the other until it grew taller and then the other took over.”
As Urban Forestry expert Edna Gregory guides us through the trees of Central Park, her story unfolds into a deeply human journey - one that begins with a young woman finding her place in New York City and blossoms through her profound friendship with Charles, a vibrant soul who opens her eyes to a community, a calling, and a deeper understanding of love. Set against the backdrop of 1981 New York, this moving tribute honors both the beauty and heartbreak of a pivotal moment in history (should we mention what moment?), revealing how ordinary people rise to extraordinary courage in the face of uncertainty and loss. In The Docent, heroism takes root in the quiet, transformative power of connection. In keeping with Lakewood Playhouse’s mission to uplift voices and foster empathy through storytelling, The Docent - first introduced in our inaugural Festival Of New Voices - celebrates the heroic act of bearing witness, of caring for one another, and of new meanings of the word "family". World Premiere By Donna Kaz Directed by Joseph C. Walsh |
December 4-19, 2026
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WHERE BLOOMING FLOWERS MEET THE SKY“Show the world your art. Show your brother the world. You are fierce Zhuli. But you’re also kind. Just remember it is important and possible to be both.”
What does it mean to find your voice - and to use it with courage? Where Blooming Flowers Meet The Sky follows Zhuli, a young artist searching for her place in the world as she writes a new book of poetry. Along her journey, she is visited by three ancestors whose lives were shaped by the struggles and triumphs of the 1960s civil rights era. Through their stories, Zhuli is guided toward a deeper understanding of her own power, purpose, and responsibility. In alignment with Lakewood Playhouse’s mission to amplify diverse voices and cultivate empathy through storytelling, this lyrical and imaginative work celebrates the legacy of those whose bravery paved the way for future generations. Here, heroism lives in memory, in art, and in the act of speaking truth - reminding us that every voice raised in honesty and hope carries the power to shape the world. Originally written for Tacoma Arts Live in 2024, this play by local artist Darryin B. Cunningham now takes to the Playhouse stage. By Darryin B. Cunningham Directed by Faith Bennett Russell |
December 5-20, 2026
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LUCHADORA!“A great luchador learns how to fall before they learn anything else.”
Heroism sometimes wears a mask - and sometimes it looks like a young girl daring to step into a ring not meant for her. In this vibrant reimagining inspired by the legend of Hua Mulan, the world of 1960s Texas collides with the high-flying spectacle of lucha libre. When Nana Lupita shares the story of her youth, a pink wrestling mask unlocks a journey of courage, identity, and sacrifice. As a determined teen, Lupita defies expectations - training in secret to take her ailing father’s place in a championship match - while struggling to balance truth, loyalty, and love. In the spirit of Lakewood Playhouse’s mission to celebrate diverse stories and foster deep human connection, this bold and imaginative tale honors the heroism found in family, culture, and self-discovery. It reminds us that bravery is not only found in grand gestures, but in the quiet, personal battles to stand up for those we love - and to claim our own place in the world. “An absolute gem. ... A beautiful story with an upbeat message for young people and their parents.” - GMToday.com By Alvaro Saar Rios Directed by Faith Bennett Russell |
February 19-March 7, 2027
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TOPDOG/UNDERDOG“You know, I used to think, what if I had opted out of the game, just once. Just let somebody else take the hit.”
What does it take to rewrite the story you’ve been handed? In Topdog/Underdog, Suzan-Lori Parks crafts a darkly comic and deeply human exploration of brotherhood, identity, and the weight of history. Lincoln and Booth - two brothers burdened with names that echo a violent past - navigate a world shaped by rivalry, survival, and the longing for something more. As their lives intertwine in a fragile dance of humor and heartbreak, they are forced to confront who they are, who they’ve been told to be, and who they might still become. Topdog/Underdog is a bold, thought-provoking story that ignites empathy and dialogue, this Pulitzer Prize-winning play examines the quiet and explosive acts of heroism required to break cycles and claim agency over one’s own narrative. Sometimes the bravest act is choosing a different ending. Topdog/Underdog is the winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the Outer Critics Circle Award. In 2023, it won the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play. “...Topdog/Underdog feels as vital and electric today as it did 20 years ago.” - Variety By Suzan-Lori Parks Directed by Jos N. Banks |
April 16-May 2, 2027
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SAVAGE SAINTS“And sometimes - I feel...hope.”
What does it mean to confront the past - and to survive it? In Savage Saints, Raul Garza examines the enduring spiritual and emotional scars left by the Canadian Indian Residential School System. Through the story of Regina, a memory care nurse, the past and present collide when she encounters a patient who forces her to face a history she has long carried. As memory fractures and resurfaces, Regina must navigate trauma, truth, and the impossible task of making sense of her present life before she has fully untangled her past. Savage Saints honors the profound heroism of survival and the strength it takes to bear witness. It is a powerful reminder that healing begins with acknowledgment - and that telling these stories is itself an act of bravery. Savage Saints was part of Lakewood Playhouse’s inaugural Festival of New Voices. World Premiere By Raul Garza Directed by Sergio Antonio Garcia and Jeanette Sanchez |
June 4-20, 2027
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COME FROM AWAY“Suddenly everything's high. Suddenly there's nothing in between me and the sky.”
In the face of unimaginable tragedy, ordinary people chose extraordinary kindness. Come From Away tells the remarkable true story of Gander, Newfoundland, where a small town opened its doors to thousands of stranded travelers on September 11, 2001. As cultures collided and uncertainty loomed, the people of Gander responded not with fear, but with generosity - offering food, shelter, music, and a powerful reminder of our shared humanity. This acclaimed musical celebrates the heroic acts found in compassion, hospitality, and connection. Come From Away reminds us that even in the darkest moments, the simple choice to care for one another can be the most profound act of all - and that heroism often lives in the everyday goodness of people willing to say, “You are not alone.” “...a gently miraculous masterpiece...” - Time Out Book, Music and Lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein Original Broadway production produced by Junkyard Dog Productions Orchestrations by August Eriksmoen Arrangements by Ian Eisendrath Directed by TBA |
BOOKING INFORMATION
Season tickets, single tickets and flex passes on sale now.
Season tickets, single tickets and flex passes on sale now.
