OUR 2026/27 SEASON
FIND YOUR LIGHT. Porchlight proudly announces our 32nd season, launching this September at the Biograph Theater.
Our 2026/27 season features three mainstage productions, Little Shop of Horrors, Dead Outlaw and Shake It Away: The Ann Miller Story, the 11th anniversary edition of Porchlight’s signature concert series New Faces Sing Broadway, plus the return of our annual fundraising concert Chicago Sings and free summer concert series Broadway in your Backyard. Our trio of mainstage productions include a Porchlight twist on a music theatre classic, the Chicago premiere of a Tony nominated musical and the world premiere of a new musical developed through our Off the Porch series. This collection of stories features characters fighting to be seen, longing to create a legacy that outlives them and daring to push the boundaries of what’s possible. Paired with Porchlight’s commitment to developing the future of Chicago’s music theatre talent through our New Faces, Chicago Sings, and Broadway in your Backyard series, plus the continued implementation of education offerings for youth ages 4-17 and Hobbyist and Enthusiast classes for all ages, this season invites you to discover your purpose, chase your passion and find your light.
SUBSCRIPTIONS ON-SALE NOW.
Get the absolute most out of this unbelievable season with a 2026/27 Subscription. The 2026/27 Subscription Series includes Little Shop of Horrors, Dead Outlaw, Shake It Away: The Ann Miller Story, PLUS exclusive pre-sale access to tickets to New Faces Sing Broadway 1976 (a series that sells out every year) before the general public. Subscribe early and save even more! Subscriptions purchased before July 17 are $185 (inclusive of fees), with prices increasing to $197 starting July 18. Do not miss out on this incredible deal.
SUBSCRIBERS RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE BENEFITS INCLUDING:
– The BEST seats at the BEST Price
– Our biggest discount of the season! (20% off the average single ticket price)
– Free exchanges! Only Subscribers receive free and unlimited exchanges
– Exclusive PreSale Access to New Faces Sing Broadway (A Porchlight signature production that sells out every year!)
– 10% off additional tickets
– 10% off concessions (including beer and wine)
– Dining discounts with our delicious restaurant partners (specific partners TBA)
– Discounted valet
– Invitations to behind-the-scenes events/enrichment programs—talkbacks and meet-and-greets with cast and creative team members, enthusiast classes and more!
SUBSCRIPTIONS ON-SALE NOW.
SUBSCRIBE NOW
EXPLORE THE SEASON
New Faces Sing Broadway 1976
Monday, September 14 at 7:30PM and Tuesday, September 15 at 7:30PM
Richard Christiansen Theater at Biograph Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave.
Directed by Lorenzo Rush Jr.
Porchlight’s signature series showcases Chicago music theatre’s top up-and-coming artists celebrating an entire Broadway season in 90 minutes with songs of that era, games and even sing-a-longs. In honor of the country’s semiquincentennial birthday celebrations, Porchlight shares the 1976 Broadway season that included Chicago, A Chorus Line, Pacific Overtures, Bubbling Brown Sugar and others.
2026/27 Subscribers get exclusive access to New Faces before the general public. Subscribe today to learn how.
Little Shop of Horrors
November 4 – December 13, 2026
Začek McVay Mainstage at Biograph Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave.
Book and Lyrics by Howard Ashman
Music by Alan Menken
Based on the film by Roger Corman
Screenplay by Charles Griffith
Originally Produced by the WPA Theatre (Kyle Renick, Producing Director)
Originally Produced at the Orpheum Theatre, New York City by the WPA Theatre, David Geffen, Cameron Mackintosh and the Shubert Organization
Directed by Michael Weber
For more than four decades, this Tony Award-winning musical has delighted millions of fans around the world with the funny and frightening story of the shy shop assistant, his coworker crush and a mysterious, and carnivorous, plant. Written by the powerhouse team of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken (Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Beauty and The Beast and Aladdin), Little Shop takes audiences on a wild trip where love and world domination meet at a Skid Row floral shop.
Included in our 2026/27 Subscription Series.
Chicago Premiere
Dead Outlaw
February 10 – March 21, 2027
Co-Production with Theater Wit
Začek McVay Mainstage at Biograph Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave.
Music and Lyrics by David Yazbek & Erik Della Penna
Book by Itamar Moses
Conceived by David Yazbek
Directed by Jeremy Wechsler
Choreographed by Brenda Didier
The 2025 Tony Award-nominated for Best Musical and winner of three Best Musical awards (Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and New York Drama Critics’ Circle), Dead Outlaw is a wickedly irreverent tale based on the true story of bumbling bandit Elmer McCurdy. This musical comedy spanning more than a century delves into themes of fame and its repercussions as McCurdy’s mummified body becomes a traveling curiosity across America and beyond. Entertainment Weekly calls the Tony Award-nominated new musical ,“a truly one-of-a-kind production, complete with a whole lot of laughs and a surprising amount of heart. It needs to be seen to be believed!”
Included in our 2026/27 Subscription Series.
World Premiere
Shake It Away: The Ann Miller Story
April 3 – April 25, 2027
Richard Christiansen Theater at Biograph Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave.
Written and Performed by Kayla Boye
Directed by Michael Weber
Music Directed by Linda Madonia
Choreographed by Tammy Mader
Nurtured as part of Porchlight’s Off the Porch new works initiative and following festival development at Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Hollywood Fringe and Off-Broadway, this heartwarming and humorous new musical play is set on a soundstage at the infamous 1970 MGM Studios auction. There, dancer, singer and actress Ann Miller revisits the Golden Age of Hollywood and discovers her second act as a Broadway star while filmdom’s treasures — including the legendary “ruby slippers,” the “Cotton Blossom” show boat, Clark Gable’s “lucky trench coat” and more — are sold off to the highest bidder. Featuring selections from the Great American Songbook, this story of personal triumph confronts the impacts that arise when an entire industry is threatened by the never ending march of change.
Included in our 2026/27 Subscription Series.
Other Exciting Events to Look for this Season
Chicago Live at Navy Pier
September 19, 2026 at 12:30PM
Navy Pier , 600 E. Grand Ave.
Directed by Michael Weber
Music Directed by Linda Madonia
Completely FREE to the public, Porchlight Music Theatre presents its popular Broadway in your Backyard program of family-friendly showtunes as it joins more than 110 artists and organizations for Navy Pier’s the annual celebration of Chicago’s vibrant arts and cultural community.
Chicago Sings the Windy City
May 17, 2027 at 7:30PM
Začek McVay Mainstage at Biograph Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave.
Music Directed by David Fiorello
Porchlight’s annual concert fundraiser this year celebrates the best loved Broadway and Hollywood musicals set in and around Chicago itself including The Blues Brothers, Chicago, Pal Joey, Robin and the 7 Hoods, Show Boat, Some Like it Hot, Raisin, Victor/Victoria and more.
Broadway in your Backyard
Summer 2027
Porchlight’s free, outdoor summer concert series marks its seventh edition in 2027 at parks throughout Chicago. The 60-minute, family-friendly, outdoor performance includes some of the best loved show tunes from Broadway and Hollywood with sing-alongs, a raffle for valuable prizes and more.
Please note: performances, dates and participants are subject to change.
