15 shows you don’t want to miss during Louisville’s 2026-27 theater season

Louisville is in the limelight this theater season, from new touring Broadway musicals to holiday classics and world premieres performed by local theater companies. Here’s a look at what shows are hitting the stages of Bourbon City this theater season at Actors Theatre of Louisville, Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts, Kentucky Shakespeare and more.

“Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery”
Wednesday, Sept. 9-Sunday, Sept. 27 | Pamela Brown Auditorium

Directed by Actors Theatre Artistic Director Amelia Acosta Powel, this fast-paced murder mystery transforms the classic Gothic thriller “The Hound of the Baskervilles” into a comedy adventure.

“The Haunting”
Wednesday, Sept. 30-Sunday, Oct. 25 | Kentucky Shakespeare’s Headquarters

Inspired by ghost stories of Charles Dickens, Hugh Janes’ play tells the story of two men who stumble across a dark and terrifying secret in an ancient, crumbling mansion. Performed by Kentucky Shakespeare in historic Old Louisville, the production will mark the play's U.S. premiere.

“Jersey Boys”
Tuesday, Oct. 6-Sunday, Oct. 11 | The Kentucky Center

Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the original Broadway musical will make a stop in Louisville, Jersey style. Go behind the music and inside the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons in the Tony Award-winning musical.

“Dead as a Dodo”
Wednesday, Oct. 14-Sunday, Nov. 1 | Pamela Brown Auditorium

Back for a second run this October, this Halloween-season hit — performed by Obie Award-winning company Wakka Wakka — is a dazzling puppetry performance through the underworld, a dark yet glimmering world full of mystery where the dead are very much alive.

“Disney’s The Lion King”
Thursday, Nov. 12-Sunday, Nov. 29 | The Kentucky Center

Winner of six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, “Disney’s The Lion King” will return to Louisville for the fifth time since 2003 with its stunning visuals and costumes.

“A Christmas Carol”
Saturday, Nov.28-Sunday, Dec. 20 | Pamela Brown Auditorium

Actors Theatre will welcome audiences back for an adapted telling of Charles Dickens’ holiday classic, which weaves the story’s famous dialogue with lyrical passages from the novel.

“BOOP! The Musical”
Tuesday, Jan. 5-Sunday, Jan. 10 | The Kentucky Center

This new musical, which opened on Broadway in April 2025, follows the 1930s cartoon character Betty Boop. The show takes Betty out of her black-and-white world of stardom and into a colorful New York City adventure.

“Louisa May Alcott's Little Women”
Friday, Jan. 15-Sunday, Jan. 24 | Pamela Brown Auditorium

Kentucky Shakespeare will perform the Louisville premiere of this new adaptation by playwright Lauren Gunderson, based on the classic tale of the March sisters.

“A Beautiful Noise”
Tuesday, Feb. 16-Sunday, Feb. 21 | The Kentucky Center

Created in collaboration with Neil Diamond himself, this Broadway musical tells the uplifting true story of how a kid from Brooklyn became a chart-topping, show-stopping American rock icon.

“Primary Trust”
Wednesday, Feb. 17-Sunday, Feb.28 | Bingham Theatre

This Pulitzer Prize-winning play directed by True Colors Theatre Company Artistic Director Jamil Jude, tells the story of Kenneth, a man whose life of quiet routine consists of working in a small-town bookstore and sipping mai tais at the local tiki bar.

“Death Becomes Her”
Tuesday, March 9-Sunday, March 14 | The Kentucky Center

Based on the 1992 film starring Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn, this new Tony Award-winning musical comedy is to die for and is certified “hilarious” by The New York Times.

Storytelling Revolution Festival
Thursday, April 1-Sunday, April 11 | Actors Theatre's Main Street Complex

Returning to downtown Louisville for a second year, this springtime festival will celebrate new works by artists from across the region.

“Maybe Happy Ending”
Tuesday, April 6-Sunday, April 11 | The Kentucky Center

This original new musical adventure explores what it means to be human and is the winner of six Tony Awards®, including “Best Musical,” in 2025.

“Hell’s Kitchen”
Tuesday, May 11-Sunday, May 16 | The Kentucky Center

This new musical from 16-time Grammy Award winner Alicia Keys tells the coming-of-age story of Ali, a New York City teen who opens her heart and mind to the power of the piano in this tale of love between a mother and daughter.

For even more theater, check out Southern Indiana’s Derby Dinner Playhouse's 2026-2027 season, which includes a stage adaption of Stephen King’s “Misery,” “A Christmas Story: The Musical,” and “Little Shop of Horrors.”