TAMPA — The 2025-2026 Bank of America Broadway at Straz Center season is well underway as “Kimberly Akimbo” comes to the stage this week, running Nov. 18-23 in Morsani Hall. The Straz Center for the Performing Arts is at 1010 N. W.C. MacInnes Place, Tampa. For information and to purchase tickets, visit strazcenter.org.
A new musical about growing up and growing old, “Kimberly Akimbo” is the winner of five Tony Awards including Best Musical. It features Tony Award-winning book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire, a Tony Award-winning score by Jeanine Tesori, choreography by Danny Mefford and direction by the Tony-nominated Jessica Stone.
Kimberly is about to turn 16 and recently moved with her family to a new town in suburban New Jersey. Kim is forced to navigate family dysfunction, a rare genetic condition, her first crush … and possible felony charges. Ever the optimist, she is determined to find happiness against all odds and embark on a great adventure.
“This season’s Broadway at Straz Center shines with Tony Award winners for Best Musical ‘Kimberly Akimbo’ and ‘The Outsiders,’ said Greg Holland, CEO and president of the Straz. “Tony Award-winning Best Play ‘Stereophonic’ takes audiences into a recording studio while rock musicians lay down tracks for a new album.”
The 2025-2026 season continues with the following shows:
‘The Outsiders’
Dec. 27, 2025–Jan. 4, 2026
The winner of four 2024 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, “The Outsiders” is adapted from S.E. Hinton’s seminal novel and Francis Ford Coppola’s iconic film. This thrilling new musical features a book by Adam Rapp with Justin Levine, music and lyrics by Jamestown Revival (Jonathan Clay and Zach Chance) and Tony Award winner Justin Levine, music supervision, orchestration and arrangements by Justin Levine, choreography by Rick Kuperman and Jeff Kuperman and direction by Tony Award winner Danya Taymor.
In Tulsa, Oklahoma, 1967, Ponyboy Curtis, his best friend Johnny Cade and their greaser family of “outsiders” battle with their affluent rivals, the socs. “The Outsiders” navigates the complexities of self-discovery as the greasers dream about who they want to become in a world that may never accept them. With a dynamic original score, “The Outsiders” is a story of friendship, family, belonging … and the realization that there is still “lots of good in the world.”
‘& Juliet’
Feb. 10-15, 2026
Broadway’s most fun hit musical, “& Juliet,” flips the script on the greatest love story ever told, imagining what would happen next if Juliet hadn’t ended it all over Romeo and got a second chance at life and love — on her own terms. This audience favorite is created by the Emmy-winning writer of “Schitt’s Creek” and features a playlist of iconic pop hits from Max Martin and his collaborators, including “Since U Been Gone,” “Roar,” “I Want It That Way,” “Confident” and more.
‘Hell’s Kitchen’
March 24-April 5, 2026
Welcome to “Hell’s Kitchen,” Broadway’s hit musical from Alicia Keys — inspired by her life, her music, and her community.
Your journey begins with Ali, a 17-year-old girl full of fire, searching for freedom, passion and her place in the world. Along the way, you’ll meet the musical mentor who changes her life, her dynamic family and the neighborhood that helps her grow. Relatable, raw and refreshingly fun, it’s a celebration of finding yourself, your purpose and the people who lift you up.
‘Stereophonic’
April 28-May 3, 2026
“Stereophonic” is the biggest Tony Award-winning show of 2024 — and the most Tony Award-nominated play of all time.
“Stereophonic” mines the agony and the ecstasy of creation as it zooms in on a music studio in 1976. Here, an up-and-coming rock band recording a new album finds itself suddenly on the cusp of superstardom. The ensuing pressures could spark their breakup — or their breakthrough. Written by David Adjmi, directed by Daniel Aukin and featuring original music by Arcade Fire’s Will Butler, “Stereophonic” invites the audience to immerse themselves — with fly-on-the-wall intimacy — in the powder keg process of a band on the brink of blowing up.
‘The Notebook’
May 26-31, 2026
Based on the best-selling novel that inspired the iconic film, “The Notebook” tells the story of Allie and Noah, both from different worlds, who share a lifetime of love despite the forces that threaten to pull them apart. “The Notebook” is a deeply moving portrait of the enduring power of love.
“The Notebook” is directed by Michael Greif and Schele Williams and features music and lyrics by multi-platinum singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson, book by Bekah Brunstetter and choreography by Katie Spelman.
In addition to the nine-show Broadway series, Straz Center will present encore engagements of “A Christmas Story, The Musical,” running Nov. 28-30, 2025; “Les Misérables,” running Dec. 10-14, 2025; “SIX,” running May 12-17, 2026; and “Beetlejuice,” running June 9-14, 2026.
Events, days, dates, times, performers and prices are subject to change without notice. For information, visit www.strazcenter.org.
David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts and its programs are funded in part by the city of Tampa; the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners; the Tourist Development Council/Hillsborough County; the state of Florida, Department of State, Division of Arts and Cultural and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture and the National Endowment for the Arts.