The Riverpark Center Announces 2026-2027 Broadway Season
YES!! As a proud theatre lover, I am SO PUMPED to see The RiverPark Center release the 2026-2027 lineup of shows for the season. Sponsored by Owensboro Health, we will get a little something for everyone. Something old, something new, some epic Christmas music, and something...relatable, funny, heartwarming, uplifting, LOUD!, and creative.
2026-2027 Riverpark Center Broadway Season
Here is what you can expect, along with the show descriptions in case you haven't heard of them before:
Waitress - 10th Anniversary Tour - Friday September 18 at 7PM
Inspired by the beloved film and featuring music by Grammy® Award winner Sara Bareilles, WAITRESS tells the story of Jenna, an expert pie maker who dreams of a way out of her small town. A baking contest and the town’s new doctor may offer her a fresh start, but Jenna must summon the strength to rebuild her own life. Don’t miss this uplifting celebration of friendship, motherhood, and the magic of a well-made pie.
The Music Man - Sunday, October 4 at 5PM
There's trouble in River City when a fast-talking salesman gets his heart stolen by the town librarian. Meredith Willson's six-time, Tony Award-winning musical comedy THE MUSIC MAN follows fast-talking traveling salesman, Harold Hill, as he cons the people of River City, Iowa, into buying instruments and uniforms for a boys' band that he vows to organize – this, despite the fact that he doesn't know a trombone from a treble clef. His plans to skip town with the cash are foiled when he falls for Marian, the librarian, who transforms him into a respectable citizen by curtain's fall. Featuring songs such as "Seventy-Six Trombones," “Ya Got Trouble," "'Till There Was You," “Pick-a-Little” and “Gary, Indiana," THE MUSIC MAN is a family-friendly story to be shared with every generation.
The Wiz - Friday, October 16 at 7PM
The Tony® Award-winning Best Musical that took the world by storm is back! This groundbreaking twist on The Wizard of Oz changed the face of Broadway—from its iconic score packed with soul, gospel, rock, and 70s funk to its stirring tale of Dorothy’s journey to find her place in a contemporary world. Everybody rejoice--this dynamite infusion of ballet, jazz, and modern pop brings a whole new groove to easing on down the road!
STOMP 30th Anniversary - Thursday, November 12 at 7PM and Friday, Nov. 13 at 7PM
A unique combination of percussion, movement, and visual comedy, STOMP has created its own inimitable, contemporary form of rhythmic expressions: both household and industrial objects find new left as musical instruments in the hands of an idiosyncratic band of body percussionists. It is a journey through sound, a celebration of the everyday and a comic interplay of characters wordlessly communicating through dance and drum.
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas - Wednesday, December 16 at 7PM
The holiday tradition continues! MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER CHRISTMAS by Chip Davis has been America’s favorite holiday tradition for over 40 years! Grammy Award winner Chip Davis has created a show that features Mannheim Steamroller Christmas classics in the distinctive Mannheim sound. The program includes 15 musicians playing more than 20 instruments against a backdrop of dazzling multimedia effects – capturing the spirit of the season in an immersive yet intimate setting.
Mystic Pizza - Wednesday, January 20, 2027 at 7PM
Based on the beloved 1988 MGM rom-com that launched the career of Julia Roberts, MYSTIC PIZZA is a new musical about three working-class girls who navigate the complexities of life, love and family in a small-town pizza joint serving everyone from the townies to the privileged country club set. And what's in that secret sauce, you ask? The hits of the 80s and 90s! The hit songs range from "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" to "Hold On" to "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now."
Menopause The Musical - Tuesday, April 6, 2027 at 7PM
Menopause The Musical ® continues to empower women across the globe, keeping hot flashes “HOT” through 25yearsof production, playing to more than 17 million fans worldwide. Set in a department store, four women meet while shopping for a black lace bra at a lingerie sale. After noticing similarities among one another, the cast jokes about their woeful hot flashes, mood swings, wrinkles, weight gain, and much more. These women form a sisterhood and a unique bond with the entire audience as they rejoice in celebrating that menopause is no longer “The Silent Passage.” It's the Hilarious Celebration of Women and The Change!®
*photo - MTM Myrtle Beach 2026 Cast: Ingrid Cole, Nancy Slusser, Stacey Harris, and Anise Ritchie
RPC general manager Chris Patterson said, "With more productions than ever before, including two national tours that will rehearse and launch from RiverPark Center, this season showcases not only the quality of entertainment we're bringing to our audiences, but also the growing role RiverPark Center plays in supporting tourism and economic development in our community."
It is especially cool that a couple of these shows actually build their tours here in Owensboro. So that means, they rehearse, they practice technical aspects of their show, and of course, literally build set pieces and props and things. That's pretty special!
Tickets for all shows go on sale Friday, July 31 at 10AM Central. You can decide whether you want to become a subscriber and see all of the shows or purchase single tickets, of course. For more information, visit riverparkcenter.org, the RiverPark Center Box Office, or call 270-687-2770. Box office hours are Monday – Friday from 10AM to 3PM.
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