Originally published by Imagination Stage, June 16, 2026
Imagination Stage has announced its 2026–2027 season, featuring family-friendly musicals, interactive performances for young audiences, and a brand-new world-premiere production in Bethesda
BETHESDA, MD – Imagination Stage, the DMV’s leader in youth development through
the arts, is thrilled to announce its 2026-2027 professional theatre lineup. Centered
around the inspiring theme, “A Season of Heroes and Hope,” this year’s slate of
productions is packed with high-energy musicals, interactive experiences for toddlers,
and deeply moving stories that celebrate everyday heroism and the power of optimism.
“Through the magic of live theatre, young audiences don’t just watch stories
unfold—they see themselves in them,” says Joanne Lamparter, Imagination Stage’s Chief
Artistic Programming Officer. “This season is all about helping children identify the
heroes around them, discover what it truly means to be an active, helping member of a
community, and walk away inspired with hope for the future.”
Bringing this vision to life, the season kicks off with the infectious rhythms of Chicka
Chicka Boom Boom: The Musical (September 26–October 18, 2026), followed by a
spectacular holiday production of Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The
Musical (November 21, 2026–January 3, 2027), directed by Helen Hayes Award winner
Ashleigh King.
In January and February, Wake Up, Brother Bear! (January 16–February 21, 2027) invites
you into the world of Brother and Sister Bear as they follow a year through the seasons.
Together we see a waterfall melt, meet a butterfly, chase an elusive fish, and skate on an
icy pond. Children sit on the floor around the stage and may join in the action with this
funny and reflective exploration for young imaginations.
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In March and April, audiences will see the return of Inside Out and Backwards (March
13–April 18, 2027). It’s bedtime, and two children use their imaginations to turn their
room inside out! While playing dress-up, a glove becomes a dancing fish, a shirt
becomes a fantastical creature, and a sock dance rocks the closet!
The excitement builds in the winter and spring with a lineup curated for
elementary-school-aged children, starting with a highly anticipated world-premiere
musical, Pandora: Out of the Box! (February 27–April 10, 2027). This landmark
production marks a major creative union for Imagination Stage, bringing together
playwright Psalmayene 24 and composer Deborah Wicks La Puma. Both celebrated
artists return to the theatre where they previously broke ground in Theatre for Young
Audiences.
Following the Pandora premiere, audiences will be treated to the problem-solving
adventures of Rosie Revere, Ada Twist, and Iggy Peck: The Questioneers for a limited,
two-week run (April 17–25, 2027). The season culminates in the summer with the
musical Grand Slam Hero (June 16–July 24, 2027), which centers on real-life hero and
baseball legend, Roberto Clemente. Grand Slam Hero highlights another creative
partnership for the theatre, written by the internationally celebrated musical theatre
writing team of Karen Zacarías and Deborah Wicks La Puma.
Discount ticket packages for 3, 5, or all 7 shows are now available for purchase. Packages
are structured by the age of the child(ren), as well as flexible options to pick and choose
among all of the shows. Discounts are as high as 35%, the best prices of the year. To
learn more about extra benefits and to purchase a ticket package, go to Imagination
Stage’s website or call the box office at 301-280-1660. Single tickets go on sale in early
August, with prices starting at $16.
2026-2027 Professional Theatre Season
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom: The MusicalSeptember 26–October 18, 2026
Written and Directed by Nina Meehan
Music and Lyrics by Austin Zumbro
Produced by Third Wish Productions
Originally Developed and Produced by Seattle Children’s Theatre
Based on Chicka Chicka Boom Boom ©1989 by Bill Martin Jr., John Archambault, and
Lois Ehlert. All rights reserved. Licensed by Moxie & Company, LLC.
This musical bursts onto the stage as a joy-filled celebration of letters, words, and
imagination that will captivate kids and adults alike. With infectious rhythms, dazzling
puppets, lively dancing, and playful audience interaction, this high-energy production
transforms the beloved story into a whirlwind of color, creativity, and fun to launch our
season of hope. Best for ages 3-9.
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DR. SEUSS’ HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! The Musical
Based on the book How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss
November 21, 2026–January 3, 2027
Book and Lyrics by Timothy Mason
Music by Mel Marvin
Additional Music and Lyrics by Albert Hague and Dr. Seuss
Directed and Choreographed by Ashleigh King
Presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI)
Get ready to grow your heart three sizes this holiday season as the world’s most famous
“green menace” marches onto our stage! Directed by prominent DMV director and
choreographer Ashleigh King—who previously directed Imagination Stage’s hit A Year
with Frog and Toad and choreographed Nate the Great—this spectacular musical
adaptation brings Whoville to life with whimsical sets, toe-tapping songs, and the
timeless story of a Grinch who discovers the true meaning of Christmas. From an
unlikely anti-hero comes a message of community, kindness, and redemption that will
leave even the “grinchiest” audience members full of holiday hope. This show is great
for all ages!
Wake Up, Brother Bear!
January 16–February 21, 2027
Directed by Kathryn Chase Bryer
Written by Kathryn Chase Bryer and Janet Stanford
Originally Directed by Kathryn Chase Bryer and Janet Stanford
Music Arrangements by Moira Todd
Wake Up, Brother Bear! invites you into the world of Brother and Sister Bear as they
follow a year through the seasons. Together we see a waterfall melt, meet a butterfly,
chase an elusive fish, and skate on an icy pond. Seated on the stage, children can join
the action in this funny and reflective exploration for young imaginations. Best for ages
1-4.
Pandora: Out of the Box!
February 27–April 10, 2027
A World Premiere Musical
Directed by Kathryn Chase Bryer
Book and Lyrics by Psalmayene 24
Music by Deborah Wicks La Puma
Step into a world where Ancient Greece meets the modern day in this high-energy,
world-premiere musical. When 10-year-old Pandora can’t resist opening an oversized,
mysterious gift from her grandfather Zeus, she accidentally unleashes a rowdy quartet of
troublemakers: Selfishness, Sorrow, Worry, and Meanness, and only through sheer
determination and resilience is she able to face the problems they create! Best for ages
5+.
Inside Out and Backwards
March 13–April 18, 2027
Directed by Kathryn Chase Bryer
Written by Kathryn Chase Bryer and Natasha Holmes
Originally Directed by Kathryn Chase Bryer and Natasha Holmes
Music Composed by Tim Guillot
It’s bedtime, and two children use their imaginations to turn their room inside out!
While playing dress-up, a glove becomes a dancing fish, a shirt becomes a fantastical
creature, and a sock dance rocks the closet! This interactive, highly visual production
celebrates how hope and play can transform any ordinary space into an extraordinary
world. Best for ages 1-4.
TheaterWorksUSA’s Rosie Revere, Ada Twist, and Iggy Peck: The Questioneers
April 17–25, 2027
Based on the books by Andrea Beaty
Book by Lauren Gunderson
Music by Bree Lowdermilk
Lyrics by Kait Kerrigan
Ms. Greer’s classroom includes three inquisitive out-of-the-box STEM heroes. Rosie
Revere has big dreams. Iggy Peck has a relentless passion for architecture. And Ada
Twist’s curiosity can lead her to solve any problem. Armed with hope, teamwork, and
determination, these young thinkers prove that asking questions is the first step to
saving the day! Best for ages 5+.
Grand Slam Hero
June 16–July 24, 2027
Directed by Mina Morita
Book and Lyrics by Karen Zacarías
Music by Deborah Wicks La Puma
This dynamic baseball musical transports audiences to 1972 Pittsburgh, where legendary
Pirates player Roberto Clemente is at the top of his game. Sam Kowalski and the
neighborhood baseball-playing kids are in an intense competition to win the chance to
meet Clemente in person. But when their favorite sports hero steps up to help victims of
a natural disaster in Nicaragua, the kids must learn that there is far more to life than
winning. Best for ages 4+.
ABOUT IMAGINATION STAGE
Imagination Stage, the DMV’s leader in youth development through the arts, is driven to
build a generation of compassionate, collaborative young people who are capable of
changing the world. Starting as an arts academy in Bethesda in 1979, it has responded to
the evolving “needs of now” over the last 47 years by expanding its reach throughout
Montgomery County and Washington, DC. Children from every socio-economic group
need experiences that teach empathy, demonstrate resilience, and inspire hope. Theatre
does just that. Beyond the classes, camps, and shows at our Bethesda location,
Imagination Stage brings programming to over 50 locations per year in Montgomery
County and DC, through partnerships with Montgomery County Public Schools, DC
Public Schools, and others. One such program is our Theatre for Change. It serves
teenagers, using theatre productions and educational workshops to bridge cultural
divides, lift up underrepresented voices, and explore complex social justice issues.