The Denver Center for the Performing Arts has announced a 2026-27 season of visiting Broadway touring productions that leans on the familiar, with a mostly recognizable lineup designed to steady the ship and please its subscriber base.
You can divide the DCPA’s always massive announcements into two groups. The first is made up of the shows being offered as a subscription package. Those titles include Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast,” easily one of the most crowd-pleasing Broadway titles of all time, and at least the sixth visit by “The Book of Mormon,” which was created by Coloradans and began its touring life in Denver back in 2012.
At a time when there are few red-hot newly available Broadway titles as in seasons past, subscribers will also be treated to “BOOP! The Musical,” “The Great Gatsby,” “Buena Vista Social Club,” “Death Becomes Her,” and “Maybe Happy Ending.” And while three of those musicals were nominated for best new musical at the 2025 Tony Awards, “Maybe Happy Ending” represents the lone original piece not based on familiar source material.
In addition, subscribers each year are offered one smaller homegrown musical staged in the Garner-Galleria cabaret theater. That will be a new musical comedy by Jay Berkow called “What a Glorious Feeling!”
That’s a huge deal because it’s largely homegrown, with direction and choreography by Piper Lindsay Arpan; music direction by David Nehls and choreography by Matthew Dailey, all premier local artists. It’s a show-biz tale involving Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds in the making of “Singin’ in the Rain.”
In addition, the DCPA always makes available a second slate of musicals that are considered one-offs. Those are most often familiar musical titles produced as non-union shows that come for considerably briefer visits. But that’s where fans who never tire of certain titles are often rewarded. That lineup, which audiences (subscribers or not) must buy on an individual ticket basis, includes “Waitress,” “Jersey Boys, “ELF,” “Legally Blonde, the Musical” and “Mamma Mia.”
It’s a slate with a clear reliance on known qualities and title recognition. Stands to reason at this uncertain economic time that the DCPA would prioritize filling seats over taking big artistic swings. Then again, DCPA Broadway President John Ekeberg can only choose from what’s available to him. Some years, Ekeberg has fewer choices available to him than others.
Still, he has managed a tonal spread here, with genres spanning family friendly, edgy comedy, heritage-driven, campy fun and “Maybe Happy Ending,” which is quieter and more emotionally driven. Ekeberg characterized his lineup as both robust and diverse.
“This season underscores the elements that define Broadway at its best – spectacle, storytelling and the profound emotional journeys that only live theater can provide,” Ekeberg said in a provided statement. “We are excited to feature both returning favorites and national tours that have earned significant attention.” That includes the 2025 Best Musical trifecta of “Buena Vista Social Club,” “Death Becomes Her” and “Maybe Happy Ending.”
Notable on the non-subscriber lineup: A return to the Galleria of the Denver-born “The Secret Comedy of Women” (once called “Girls Only”). It’s inspired by Denver authors Barbara Gehring and Linda Klein’s real-life childhood diaries. “It’s no secret,” the marketing jargon goes, “that every woman deserves a laugh like this.”
Darren Criss and Helen J Shen in the original Broadway production of ‘Maybe Happy Ending.’ (Photo by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman)
2026-27 DCPA Broadway and Cabaret offerings
(Buell Theatre unless otherwise indicated; *indicates subscription offering)
Oct. 20-Nov. 7: Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast”*
Nov. 7-April 4, 2027: “What a Glorious Feeling!”* (Garner Galleria)
Nov. 21-22: “Bluey’s Big Play”
Nov. 27-29: “Waitress”
Dec. 1-6: “Jersey Boys”
Dec. 18-19: “Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis”
Dec. 22-27: “ELF, the Musical”
Jan. 5-17, 2027: “The Book of Mormon”*
Feb. 5-7, 2027: “Legally Blonde, The Musical”
March 9-21, 2027: “BOOP! The Musical”*
March 23-28, 2027: “Riverdance 30, The New Generation”
April 6-18, 2027: “The Great Gatsby”*
April 21-May 16, 2027: “The Secret Comedy of Women” (Garner Galleria)
April 27-May 9, 2027: “Buena Vista Social Club”*
May 11-16, 2027: “Mamma Mia!”
May 25-June 6, 2027: “Death Becomes Her”*
Aug. 18-29, 2027: “Maybe Happy Ending”*
Sept. 7-12, 2027: “A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical”
For full descriptions of each subscription show, go to denvergazette.com. Full-season subscriptions are available now at denvercenter.org/broadway. Tickets for individual titles will go on sale at a later date.
Subscription offerings:
(Descriptions provided by the Denver Center)
“Disney’s Beauty and the Beast”
Oct. 20-Nov. 7
This will be Disney’s first North American touring production of the beloved musical in more than 25 years. This enchanting and timeless tale, filled with romance and grandeur, has been brought to life like never before, with spectacular new sets and dazzling costumes.
Nov. 7-April 4, 2027
Garner Galleria Theatre
There’s lightning in a bottle but a storm behind the scenes at the studio where Gene Kelly begins work on “Singin’ in the Rain.” He’s determined to keep both his longtime collaborator Stanley Donen and trusted assistant Jeanne Coyne on set, despite the fact that they’ve just divorced, and the torch Coyne carries for Kelly is the reason. To top it off, newly hired co-star Debbie Reynolds can’t dance. An intimate backstage play featuring the classic music, songs and dance of golden-era MGM.
The Book of Mormon launched its first national touring production at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House in 2012. (Provided by Denver Center)
Jan. 5-17, 2027
This outrageous musical comedy follows the adventures of a mismatched pair of missionaries sent halfway across the world to spread the good word. Contains explicit language.
“BOOP! The Musical”
March. 9-21, 2027)
Betty Boop’s dream of an ordinary day off from celebrity in her black-and-white world leads to a bright and bubbly adventure of color, music and love in New York City. Appropriate for all ages.
“The Great Gatsby”
April 6-18, 2027
Based on the classic American novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, this Tony Award-winning new musical is an unforgettable journey of love, wealth and tragedy that brings the Roaring Twenties to life on stage.
“Buena Vista Social Club”
Apr. 27-May 9, 2027
It’s been years since legendary singer Omara Portuondo last entered a recording studio. Once known as the “Queen of Feeling,” her voice was celebrated throughout Cuba – until she vanished from the spotlight. But when an ambitious young record producer brings her a rare opportunity, the elusive diva must finally reckon with her past.
“Death Becomes Her”
May 25-June 6, 2027
Madeline Ashton is the most beautiful actress (just ask her) ever to grace the stage and screen. Helen Sharp is the long-suffering author (just ask her) who lives in her shadow. They have always been the best of frenemies – until Madeline steals Helen’s fiancé away. A night of comedy, glamour and magic.
“Maybe Happy Ending”
Aug. 18-29, 2027
Winner of six Tony Awards, including best musical, it’s the deeply human story of a chance encounter that sparks connection, adventure and maybe even love.
