Spring is busting out all over! And so is the Sharon Playhouse!
From the Spring 2026 Edition of our Curtain Up Newsletter
Welcome to the Sharon Playhouse 2026 Season! (The Playhouse and its many iterations has a fascinating history, dating back almost 100 years. See here for the Sharon Playhouse timeline.)
In honor of the 250th birthday of the United States, this season the Sharon Playhouse is celebrating the very best of American values and the spirit of the country’s founding. Every production this summer has been curated to commemorate the quintessentially American essence of community, and how we have all historically come together to lift each other up—and this common thread runs through all our season’s offerings.
“This season celebrates the moments when people come together — in times of challenge, joy, and transformation,” said Artistic Director Carl Andress. “Through music, humor, and humanity, these stories remind us that even in the most uncertain times, creativity and community help us all to shine.”
This year, we’ll be staging three big musicals, several YouthStage productions, a new Launchpad Company production, a new Writers Playground festival, another treat from acclaimed playwright Charles Busch and, of course, our annual Spotlight Gala. More about all those in due course. Here, we focus on the first half of the Season.
On the Olsen MainStage
SWINGTIME CANTEEN – The Star-Spangled Musical Hit!Right in time for the Fourth of July, get ready to swing into the 1940s with an all-female cast of powerhouse performers who sing, dance, act—and they play the instruments too!
Swingtime Canteen is a high-energy musical salute to a team of women who lifted soldiers’ spirits during World War II, featuring beloved 1940s hits like “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree,” “I’ll Be Seeing You,” “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” “Don't Fence Me In,” “I'll Be Seeing You,” “Sing Sing Sing,” “How High the Moon,” “I Don't Want to Walk without You,” “A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square,” “Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive,” “Sentimental Journey,” “Apple Blossom Time,” and a fast paced, 12-song Andrews Sisters medley.
Set in 1944, the show follows Hollywood MGM star Marian Ames and her all-girl musical troupe as they travel overseas to entertain the American troops—with the rip-roaringest canteen show of them all! Through classic wartime tunes, backstage antics, and touching moments of camaraderie, these five women deliver a spirited USO-style performance that captures courage, connection, and the power of music to bring people together.
Created and written by Linda Thorsen Bond, William Repicci and Charles Busch, this swing-era jukebox and parody musical (think Stage Door Canteen, the 1943 Hollywood musical) was an off-Broadway hit in 1995. Starring two-time Tony Award nominee, Alison Fraser and Emily Loesser, daughter of the legendary Broadway and Hollywood composer, Frank Loesser (Guys & Dolls, How to Succeed in Business)—and the show features several of his classic songs! The original cast was featured in a starry lineup in the Times Square celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the ending of WWII in 1995. And Maxene Andrews, of the great Andrews Sisters, appeared as a special guest star for several weeks of the original production’s run.
The New York Times said this about Swingtime Canteen’s original run: “Featuring 30-odd songs, including an Andrews Sisters medley, a rendition of “I'll Be Seeing You” that could tear your heart out, and a “Sing, Sing, Sing” that had the place jumping!”
Adding to the nostalgia, we are excited that the 1995 production’s original trumpet player, Kim Bonsanti, will be playing in the onstage band of our sparkling new production.
Directed by our Artistic Director Carl Andress, who also worked on that original off-Broadway production and choreographed by Krystyna Resavy with music direction from Eric Thomas Johnson, the team behind such recent Playhouse shows as The Prom and Annie, this show is a feel-good experience that audiences of all ages can enjoy together!
If you were rocked by our production of Million Dollar Quartet, you’ll love Swingtime Canteen!
Swingtime Canteen runs Friday, June 19 (Opening Night!) through Sunday, July 5, with a special Saturday afternoon performance on July 4.
Get your tickets before Swingtime Canteen sells out: sharonplayhouse.org.
42ND STREET – The Ultimate Broadway Fairytale! Set during the Great Depression, 42nd Street follows a determined chorus girl whose big break brings new hope to a struggling Broadway company and joy to audiences everywhere!
Backstage drama at its best, the show takes place during rehearsals for a Broadway musical, giving audiences a thrilling peek behind the curtain at auditions, rehearsals, rivalries, and opening night jitters.
42nd Street follows Peggy Sawyer, a talented young dancer who arrives in New York dreaming of Broadway stardom. When the leading lady of a new musical is injured, Peggy steps into the spotlight and becomes an overnight sensation. With unforgettable songs like “Lullaby of Broadway,” “We’re in the Money,” and “42nd Street,” this tap-dancing spectacular shows how, even in the hardest times, Americans come together to create joy.
Based on the 1933 Warner Bros. film, 42nd Street debuted on Broadway in 1980, winning the Tony Award for Best Musical and running nearly nine years. Broadway and television legend Jerry Orbach (Television's Law and Order, Broadway’s Chicago), brought real star power to the role of Julian Marsh and helped anchor the show’s success. Tony Award winner Tammy Grimes starred alongside him as the tempestuous leading lady, Dorothy Brock.
According to theater historian John Kenrick, “When the curtain slowly rose to reveal forty pairs of tap-dancing feet, the star-studded opening night audience at the Winter Garden cheered. Champion followed this number with a series of tap-infused extravaganzas larger and more polished than anything Broadway really had seen in the 1930s.”
And who does not recall the iconic command from tough-as-nails director Julian Marsh to the fresh-faced ingenue Peggy Sawyer: “You’re going out a youngster, but you’ve got to come back a star!”
Interestingly, the original production had its own share of backstage drama: on opening night, after the curtain call, Broadway producer and impresario David Merrick announced to the stunned audience that the show’s director and Tony-winning choreographer Gower Champion had died earlier that day.
Still, as we say in the theater, the show must go on!
A hit revival in 2001 reaffirmed its place as one of Broadway’s greatest dance shows—a glittering tribute to showbiz dreams, resilience, and the magic of making something beautiful together. The revival won Tony Awards for Best Revival of a Musical and for Christine Ebersole as Best Actress (in the Dorothy Brock role).
42nd Street first appeared on the Sharon Playhouse stage in 2011 and in the ensemble of that production was a young dancer named Amy Van Norstrand who returns to the Playhouse this summer to choreograph our new production! She is joined by Carl Andress as director and Eric Thomas Johnson handling the music direction duties.
This show is joyful, uplifting, and escapist, delivering pure entertainment from start to finish. The show combines nostalgia with high-energy dance, and leaves audiences humming classic tunes and marveling at the sheer athleticism and artistry onstage. A classic Golden Age musical packed with tap dancing, glamour, and Broadway sparkle. An overall joyful, high-energy crowd-pleaser for all generations!
42nd Street runs from Saturday, July 25 through Sunday, August 9.
Tickets are available at sharonplayhouse.org.
2026 YouthStage Productions—A Season to Celebrate Community!
Pooh’s Parade
Pooh’s Parade is an original musical—conceived and directed by Sharon Playhouse’s Education and Outreach Manager Sarah Cuoco—based on the children’s classic book and beloved bear, with music direction by Eric Thomas Johnson. It features a cast of absolutely adorable 5–7-year-olds having the time of their lives.
Here’s Sarah’s inspiration: It’s Parade Day in the Hundred Acre Wood, and everyone has a special part to play—except Pooh Bear, who isn’t quite sure where he fits in. As the friends practice marching, dancing, drumming, and cheering, Pooh tries joining each group with silly and surprising results. With a little help from Roo and the rest of the Wood, Pooh discovers that being himself is the most important role of all. Filled with friendship, fun, and plenty of parade magic, Pooh’s Parade celebrates the joy of working together and letting every child shine.
This, from Sharon Playhouse Education and Community Director Michael Kevin Baldwin: “Pooh’s Parade is an original, giggle-filled adventure by Sarah Cuoco where small hearts feel big, friendships lead the way, and every step through the Hundred Acre Wood with Winnie the Pooh becomes a celebration of curiosity, kindness, and just a little bit of honey-sweet magic.”
Performance: Saturday, June 27 at 10:00a.m. and 11:30a.m.
Tickets are available at sharonplayhouse.org.
Shrek, Kids
Dive into the whimsical world of Shrek The Musical, Kids! Join Shrek, Fiona, Donkey, and all your favorite characters in a hilarious and heartwarming adventure that celebrates friendship, self-acceptance, and the beauty of being yourself. Filled with catchy songs, laughter, and unforgettable moments, this enchanting show reminds us that everyone deserves their own happily ever after—just as they are. Don’t miss this fantastic journey of fun and discovery!
According to Michael Kevin Baldwin: “At its core, Shrek Kids is a joyful anthem about self-acceptance. This show is a confidence booster disguised as a swampy, silly adventure.”
Directed by Sarah Cuoco with musical direction by Alec Sisco, this children’s theater adaptation of the Broadway hit musical is sure to delight!
Performances: Saturday, August 15 at 11:00am and 2:00pm
Tickets are available at sharonplayhouse.org.
Big Bad
Prepare for a rollicking adventure in the enchanting world of Big Bad, where fairy tales take a hilarious and unexpected turn! Join us as the notorious Big Bad Wolf finds himself on trial, and all your beloved fairy tale characters step into the spotlight to share their sides of the story. Bursting with laughter, clever surprises, and thrilling twists, Big Bad promises a delightful, smart, and truly unforgettable experience that will leave you cheering for more!
Michael Kevin Baldwin adds this: “Big Bad flips the fairy tale on its head, putting the Big Bad Wolf in the hot seat for a hilarious, fast-paced courtroom showdown where truth gets tangled, stories get questioned, and even the ‘villain’ might have a case worth hearing.”
Big Bad is written by Alex Strum and directed by Sharon Playhouse teaching artist and frequent actor, Ricky Oliver.
Performances: July 18, 11:00a.m. and 4:00p.m.
Matilda, Jr.
Matilda is the exhilarating story of a brilliant young girl with a vivid imagination and an even bigger heart! Defying her tricky family and the fearsome Miss Trunchbull, Matilda discovers the incredible power within herself to stand up, speak out, and transform her world. Packed with catchy songs, dazzling dance numbers, and a captivating tale that celebrates intelligence, bravery, and the magic of being true to yourself, this musical is an unforgettable adventure that delights audiences of all ages. Join us for a journey filled with inspiration, laughter, and a sprinkle of magic!
The original Broadway musical of the Roald Dahl book—with libretto by Dennis Kelly and music and lyrics by Tim Minchin—upon which this version is based—instructs us that, while rules are in place to maintain safety, order, and fairness within society, “Sometimes you have to be a little bit naughty.”
Says Michael Kevin Baldwin: “Matilda Jr. is all about kids finding their voice and standing up for what’s right. Our production provides lots of kids meaningful stage time, with high-energy group numbers that build teamwork and confidence.”
Performances: Friday, July 10 at 2:00p.m.; Saturday, July 11 at 3:00p.m. and 7:00p.m.
Order your tickets Matilda, Jr. now at sharonplayhouse.org.
