San Diego Theatres will be presenting a bevy of exciting work in 2026, including new new musicals and plays and a touring opera production. Here are our top 10 picks.
The Old Globe: ‘Hedda Gabler’
Film and stage star Katie Holmes will play the title role in a new adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s 1891 Norwegian psychological drama about an unhappily married and controlling woman whose plot to financially ruin her former lover goes horribly awry. Old Globe Artistic Director Barry Edelstein will direct the production, featuring a world premiere adaptation by Erin Cressida Wilson, screenwriter for the films “Secretary” and “The Girl on the Train.” Runs Feb. 7 through March 8. The Old Globe Theatre, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, San Diego. 619-234-5623, theoldglobe.org
Diversionary Theatre: ‘Straddle’
San Diego’s LGBTQ theater presents this world premiere play by Harrison David Rivers, author of last year’s “We Are Continuous.” Co-conceived and directed by Diversionary Artistic Director Sherri Eden Barber, it’s about Dodie and Vita, whose long-term relationship is in a rut, so they’re looking to shake things up for their anniversary. The play will feature music by Nini Camps. Feb. 19 through March 15. 4545 Park Blvd., San Diego. 619-220-0097, diversionary.org
Francis Gercke and Jessica John, the married cofounders of Backyard Renaissance Theatre will play George and Martha in Edward Albee’s “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? in 2026.” (Jessica John)
Backyard Renaissance Theatre: ‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf’
Backyard’s married co-founders Francis Gercke and Jessica John will co-star as the fierce combatants George and Martha in Edward Albee’s Tony Award-winning 1962 play. When a New England college professor and his wife invite a young faculty member and his wife over for cocktails, a night of dancing, drunken debauchery and vicious fighting ensues. Feb. 26 through March 21. Tenth Avenue Arts Center. 930 Tenth Avenue, San Diego. backyardrenaissance.com
North Coast Repertory Theatre: ‘The Maltese Falcon’
San Diego playwright Matthew Salazar-Thompson has written a comical new stage adaptation of Dashiell Hammett’s 1930 noir detective thriller, best remembered for its 1941 film version starring Humphrey Bogart a hard-boiled detective Sam Spade. Todd Nielson will direct the world premiere play, which will feature five actors playing all of the roles in a fast-paced, quick-change, theatrical high-wire act. March 4 through March 29. 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach. 858-481-1055, northcoastrep.org
Cygnet Theatre: ‘The Lehman Trilogy’
Winner of the 2022 Award for Best Play, this three-act play by Stefano Massini stars three actors playing a combined 80 characters, who trace the 150-year history of the birth, rise and fall of the notorious Lehman Brothers investment firm, whose collapse in 2008 was one of America’s greatest financial catastrophes. While the Broadway production was presented on a huge, revolving set, this intimate black-box staging will focus on the language and storytelling in the script. Kim Strassburger will direct the San Diego premiere. March 25 through April 19. Dottie Studio Theater, The Joan, 2880 Roosevelt Road, San Diego. 619-337-1525, cygnettheatre.org
Joseph Lattanzi, left, and Andy Acosta co-star in the national touring production of “Fellow Travelers,” which San Diego Opera will present at the Balboa Theatre July 12-14, 2026. (David Pearson / Virginia Opera)
San Diego Opera: ‘Fellow Travelers’
San Diego Opera is one of the presenters of Up Until Now’s 10th anniversary national touring production of Gregory Spears and Greg Pierce’s 2016 opera, based on the 2007 Thomas Mallon novel that was also made into a 2023 limited series for Paramount+. It’s the story of the decades-long romance between two men in the federal government in Washington, D.C. that begins during the McCarthy era”s “lavender scare” of the 1950s. The tour will star tenor Andy Acosta and baritone Joseph Lattanzi as lovers Timothy and Hawkins. July 10-12. Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave., downtown. 619-232-7636, sdopera.org/shows/fellow-travelers
La Jolla Playhouse: ‘The Family Album’
This world premiere musical was inspired by the 2017 survivor journey song “Quiet” co-written by MILCK (Connie K. Lim) and AG (Adrianne Gonzalez), as well as the personal journey of bookwriter Sam Chanse. Jess McLeod co-conceived the story and concept. MILCK and AG wrote the score. In “The Family Album,” singer-songwriter Mia Bing is desperate to break through in the music industry but just when gets her big break, she’s called home where she’s once again the “disappointing” daughter of her Asian immigrant parents, still haunted by an unresolved secret. July 17 through Aug. 16. Potiker Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla. 858-550-1010, lajollaplayhouse.org
Train lead singer Pat Monahan will write the music and lyrics for The Old Globe’s pre-Broadway production of the musical “Begin Again.” (Skylar Watkins)
The Old Globe: ‘Begin Again’
The Globe will close its 2026 season with the pre-Broadway engagement of this new musical based on John Carney’s 2013 film about a washed-up New York record producer who gets his creative spark back when he discovers a promising young singer. The musical will feature an original score by Pat Monahan, lead singer for the Grammy-winning rock group Train. Carney’s 2007 film “Once” was also adapted into very successful Broadway musical. Sept. 6 through Oct. 11. The Old Globe Theatre, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, San Diego. 619-234-5623, theoldglobe.org
Moonlight Stage Productions: ‘Come From Away’
Moonlight will close its five-show summer season with this heartwarming musical’s first local production since its world premiere at La Jolla Playhouse in 2015. From there it moved on to a yearslong Broadway run followed by productions in Toronto, London, Melbourne and Tokyo and a national tour. Former Playhouse artistic director Christopher Ashley won a Tony Award for his imaginative direction of the show, which is based on the true story of how the residents of a small Newfoundland town took in and cared for nearly 7,000 American passengers who were stranded there for five days after all U.S. passenger planes were grounded in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. Earlier this month, Ashley told the U-T that “Come From Away” is: “basically a story of how we take care of other people, particularly strangers … who is us and who is them and what kindness can do for the world.” Sept. 9 through Sept. 26. Moonlight Amphitheatre, Brengle Terrace Park, 1200 Vale Terrace Drive, Vista. 760-724-2110, moonlightstage.com
La Jolla Playhouse: ‘Grim’
This world premiere musical comedy is about Diana, the daughter of the Grim Reaper, who is passing the job on to his daughter so he can retire. But her suitability for the job falters when she falls in love with a dorky human named Josh, as well as humanity, the Earth and the Department of Motor Vehicles. The irreverent musical features a book by Joey Orton and Brad Silnutzer, the comedy/writing duo best known for their play “The Fast & The Furious: A Musical Parody.” Music and lyrics are by singer/songwriter Petro AP and Scott Hoying (of the a cappella group Pentatonix), Orton and Silnutzer. It will be directed by Sammi Cannold (Broadway’s “How to Dance in Ohio”). Oct. 27 through Nov. 29. Mandell Weiss Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla. 858-550-1010, lajollaplayhouse.org