Great Lakes Theater Celebrates Its 65th Anniversary Season in 2026-27 With a Lineup of Musical Masterpieces and Classic Comedies

CLEVELAND, OH – The 2026–27 Season ushers in Great Lakes Theater's milestone 65th anniversary season as Producing Artistic Director Sara Bruner unveils an electrifying six-show lineup. This spectacular 65th season, perfect for commemorating this landmark, runs from September 2026 through May 2027 and features a remarkable lineup of musical masterpieces, classic comedies and heartwarming traditions, all set within the vibrant heart of Playhouse Square at the Hanna and Mimi Ohio Theatres.

About the Season
The season starts with Shakespeare's timeless tale of romance and renewal, The Winter's Tale (September 25 – October 11, 2026). Presented in partnership with Play On Shakespeare, this modern verse translation by Tracy Young shares all the beauty, syntax and charm of Shakespeare’s original while offering language that resonates with contemporary audiences, enriching their experience of this timeless fable. The first of our two musical masterpieces presented this season is up next, as Sondheim’s bloody brilliant musical thriller, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (October 23 – November 8, 2026), hits the Hanna to round out the fall lineup. This Tony Award-winning musical thriller serves up a chilling tale of revenge, obsession and darkly comic mayhem, perfect for the time of year defined by mystery and intrigue.

Northeast Ohio's favorite holiday tradition, A Christmas Carol (November 27 – December 20, 2026), returns to the Mimi Ohio Theatre for its 38th-anniversary production to ring in the holiday season and enchant a new generation with this unforgettable show that captures the true spirit of the season.

The second half of the season returns with another modern verse translation of a Shakespeare favorite, The Comedy of Errors. (February 5 – 21, 2027). Through our tremendous partnership with Play On Shakespeare, we present Shakespeare's uproarious comedy, translated by Christina Anderson for current audiences, so every joke, slapstick moment and hilariously chaotic instance gives new and old lovers of The Bard immediate access to this delightful comedy. Then, experience the internationally acclaimed musical masterpiece presented by arrangement with Cameron Mackintosh, Les Misérables (March 12 – April 4, 2027). This new production of Boublil and Schönberg's Tony Award-winning musical has moved audiences worldwide with its sweeping story and unforgettable songs. Finally, the season closes with Oscar Wilde’s wonderfully witty comedy, The Importance of Being Earnest (April 23 – May 9, 2027), which delivers laugh-out-loud moments that remain as fresh and entertaining today as when it first premiered over 100 years ago!

“At its core, this season is about how people find one another again through imagination, humor, reckoning and shared story. Not escape, but reconnection,” says Sara Bruner, Producing Artistic Director. “As Great Lakes Theater celebrates its 65th season, we reflect a sustained commitment to exceptional artistry and to stories that speak to the moment we are in. Across generations, our work has created a space where audiences gather, listen and experience something together that is live, present and shared. For 65 seasons, that act of coming together has defined Great Lakes Theater, and will remain central to where we are headed next.”

Hanna Theatre Experience
Five of the company's 2026-27 season offerings (The Winter's Tale, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, The Comedy of Errors, Les Misérables and The Importance of Being Earnest) will appear in GLT's audience-friendly home at the Hanna Theatre, Playhouse Square. Audiences will be immersed in these larger-than-life productions within this intimate 550-seat space where no seat is more than 13 rows from the action. The innovative "Great Room" design offers diverse seating options, from traditional seats to lounge areas, while the thrust configuration places the audience mere feet from the performers. We also provide a unique behind-the-scenes look at the magic of live theater by opening the Hanna's doors an hour early, granting patrons exclusive access to the pre-show process, from fight and dance calls to show prep. A Christmas Carol will remain in its traditional Mimi Ohio Theatre setting.

Honoring 65 Years of Artistry and Community
In addition to this season’s fantastic productions, we’re planning a variety of events and commemorative moments to mark our 65th Anniversary. Keep an eye out for these fun, festive additions to join us in celebrating the artistry, community and educational opportunities GLT has shared with Northeast Ohio for 65 seasons.

“Marking our 65th anniversary is a powerful reminder that Great Lakes Theater is more than a place where performances happen; it’s a place where theater is made,” shares Brian Barasch. “For six and a half decades, we’ve employed generations of artists and artisans right here in Cleveland, including actors, educators, designers, technicians and craftspeople, who bring these stories to life from the ground up. As the first resident company of Playhouse Square, our longevity reflects a deep investment in this community and a belief that producing great theater locally enriches audiences, strengthens our cultural economy and helps define Cleveland as a city where the arts thrive.”

Experience Enhancement Programming
Check out the rich series of audience enrichment opportunities throughout the season for show’s presented in the Hanna Theatre.

• Director’s Night: Pre-show conversation with Producing Artistic Director Sara Bruner at the first Friday evening preview. (starts at 6:30 p.m.)
• Salon Thursdays: Weekly pre-show discussions with GLT artists. (starts at 6:30 p.m.)
• Playnotes Discussions: Saturday matinee pre-show talks with a guest scholar. (starts at 12:30 p.m.)
• Ice Cream Social Sundays: Enjoy a London theatre tradition brought stateside and get discounted ice cream at Sunday matinees.

Full details available at greatlakestheater.org/enhancement

Subscription & Ticket Information
Subscriptions to Great Lakes Theater's 2026-27 season are on sale now. Adult subscriptions start as low as $216, offering savings of up to 35% off. Subscriptions for patrons 25 and under begin at $42.

For complete information, patrons should call (216) 453-4458 or visit www.greatlakestheater.org/subscribe.

Single tickets will go on sale in July 2026. Regular-priced adult tickets will range from $24 - $117. Regular-priced youth tickets for the Hanna Theatre are always $18 ($36 for A Christmas Carol in the Mimi Ohio Theatre) and will be available for all performances. All prices listed are inclusive of all fees.

Support & Acknowledgements
The residents of Cuyahoga County, through a public grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture, provide generous support for Great Lakes Theater's 2026-27 season. Great Lakes Theater programming is also supported by the Ohio Arts Council, which receives support from the State of Ohio and the National Endowment for the Arts.

About Great Lakes Theater

Great Lakes Theater has brought the pleasure, power and relevance of theater to the widest possible audience since 1962. As the first resident company of Playhouse Square, GLT will celebrate another milestone as next season marks our 45th year in downtown Cleveland. On its main stage and through its extensive education programming, Great Lakes Theater impacts the lives of over 80,000 adults and students annually.