New Stage Theatre announces Season 61. Real. Reimagined. Remarkable!

Mississippi’s professional theatre, New Stage Theatre is excited to announce its 2026-2027 season of shows. Season 61, Real. Reimagined. Remarkable! Along with this compelling line-up, the theatre will also offer an extra season holiday show. To order your subscription call (601) 948-3533 Ext. 223, go online to www.newstagetheatre.com or stop by the box office at 1100 Carlisle Street in Jackson.  

“New Stage Theatre’s Season 61 includes stories centered on extraordinary people and unforgettable characters whose journeys continue to resonate across generations. From a legendary mystery writer and a Mississippi blues icon to beloved classics and bold contemporary voices, each production offers audiences a fresh perspective on stories that continue to captivate, challenge, and inspire, said Artistic Director, Francine Thomas Reynolds. “Through stories that are real, reimagined, and remarkable, we invite audiences to laugh, reflect, be inspired, and share the unforgettable experience of live theatre." 

Season 61 opens with a mystery that has fascinated the world for a century. In 1926, famed mystery writer Agatha Christie vanished for eleven days before mysteriously reappearing. One hundred years later, a devoted fan follows a trail of clues that could finally reveal what happened. Blending fact, fiction, humor, and heart, Mrs. Christie is a charming coming-of-age mystery that asks how the stories we tell shape who we become. Mrs. Christie runs September 8–20, 2026. 

Next, New Stage Theatre proudly presents the world premiere of Slippin’ Through the Cracks: The Bobby Rush Musical, an electrifying new musical inspired by the life of legendary Mississippi blues artist Bobby Rush. A three-time Grammy winner whose career spans generations, Rush’s remarkable journey from the juke joints of the South to international acclaim comes alive through powerful storytelling and unforgettable music. Developed at New Stage Theatre, this inspiring production celebrates perseverance, artistry, and the enduring spirit of the blues. Slippin’ Through the Cracks: The Bobby Rush Musical runs October 20 – November 1, 2026. 

 In the New Year, showing from February 2–14, 2027, we continue our season of reimagined perspectives with one of the most talked-about contemporary plays of the decade, John Proctor is the Villain follows a group of high school students studying The Crucible while confronting questions about identity, power, and whose stories get told. Funny, honest, and deeply moving, this fresh and fearless work captures a generation discovering that they have the power to rewrite the narrative.  

Next up is Harvey by Mary Chase, the Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy classic filled with warmth, whimsy, and unforgettable charm. Elwood P. Dowd’s best friend happens to be a six-foot-tall invisible rabbit named Harvey, much to the dismay of his family and the confusion of nearly everyone else. Filled with mistaken identities, hilarious misunderstandings, and a gentle reminder about kindness, Harvey remains one of America's most beloved comedies. Harvey runs March 30–April 11, 2027, 

Season 61 concludes with Stephen Sondheim’s thrilling masterpiece Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Part dark comedy, part haunting revenge tale, Sweeney Todd combines soaring music, unforgettable characters, and theatrical spectacle into one of the greatest musicals ever written. Wickedly entertaining and richly layered, this Tony Award-winning classic delivers a breathtaking finale to the season May 25–June 6, 2027. 

The holiday season will bring back the holiday tradition of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens adapted by Ivan Rider.  Ebenezer Scrooge is a wealthy man, rich in money and poor in spirit. He’s locked his solitary heart into a cashbox and forgotten where he’s put the key. Haunted by specters and visited by spirits of his past, present, and future, he journeys from the painful losses of his youth to the human kindness and deep joy of a glorious Christmas morning. Dicken’s classic tale reawakens the true spirit of Christmas in a heart-stirring Carol of profound beauty and redemption. Season 61 Subscribers receive a special discounted ticket price for our holiday show! 

Season tickets include all five main stage shows, and prices range from $90 to $170 depending on the package you choose. Premium subscribers can lock in ticket prices for more than 30% off, choose their favorite seat with a same seat-same night privilege, purchase additional tickets for guests at a discounted price, and receive unlimited ticket exchanges! Or mix and match your favorite shows, plus get all the benefits of being a subscriber with a Flexipass Ticket Package. Purchase either three shows or five shows Flexipass packages, and use them any way you like. Pick your productions and dates as you go, or reserve up front – either way, you can exchange as often as needed. Whether you prefer to bring a friend, make a group outing, or fly solo, Flexipasses provide the flexibility to enjoy New Stage your way.  

To subscribe, call (601) 948-3533 Ext. 223 (Monday-Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.). In person box office hours will be Monday-Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. New Stage Theatre was chartered as a not-for-profit organization in 1965, producing its initial season in the winter/spring of 1966. Founded by Jane Reid-Petty with the assistance of the American National Theatre Academy and Actor’s Equity Association, dedication to professional excellence in theatre arts was part of the theatre’s original mission. New Stage’s first home was a converted church, and the full houses for its opening season were significant: they represented the city’s first racially integrated theatre audience. Winner of the 2019 Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts, New Stage Theatre continues to be a catalyst for dynamic and entertaining theatre for Jackson and the surrounding areas.