The chandelier quickly drops and sways over the audience as the Phantom emerges onto the stage. With every jaw-dropping Broadway moment, like in The Phantom of the Opera, there is no doubt that this art has impacted society in various ways. Although these moments entice viewers to watch, scavenging for a location offering show openings poses a challenge to many individuals. Numerous people do not have the capacity to watch these productions stationed exclusively in New York. To combat this difficulty, these award-winning shows are currently open to the public at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa. In addition, many crowd-favorites will also be returning this 2026 Broadway season.
To start off the 2026 season, The Sound of Music makes its Segerstrom opening from June 2nd to June 14th. This captivating musical focuses on the story of Maria, a young protagonist who navigates the dilemmas of her future. Her life changes as she meets the children of Captain von Trapp, with whom she shares the art of love and music in their home. The musical is also a crowd favorite; according to The Sound of Music, the production has earned five Oscars.
The next showing at the Segerstrom is the continuation of the record-breaking book and movie series, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. The play, set 19 years following Deathly Hallows, presents the life of Harry Potter’s son, Albus Severus Potter. Throughout the production, Albus attempts to save his father’s legacy while building his own and is even accompanied by the children of Draco Malfoy and Bellatrix Lestrange. For many Potterheads, this play is a must-watch, as it delves into the lives of the second generation.
Showing from August 12th to 30th, the classic musical, The Phantom of the Opera, takes the stage. The production is known for having spectacular stage effects, such as the chandelier and outstanding vocals. The audience feels a sense of ominousness throughout the play, as the musical genius “The Phantom” becomes fixated on the young singer, Christine Daaé. According to StageAgent, the musical follows the love triangle between her childhood friend and The Phantom. Christine is drawn to the comfort of her childhood friend, but the Phantom’s mysteriousness intrigues her even more.
From the Opera House to the streets of Oklahoma, The Outsiders create an unforgettable night at the Segerstrom. Based on S.E. Hinton’s novel, the story explores the differences and disputes between the working and the wealthy classes. The musical consistently brings its audience to tears, with the strong brotherhood of the Outsiders and the theme of “chosen family” proving to be prominent. As stated by Insiya Harianawala (9), “The Outsiders is one of my favorite musicals. The moment when Johnny told Ponyboy to ‘stay gold’ will always resonate with me”. The production is recognized by many around the nation, even winning four Tony Awards, including the coveted Best Musical Award.
Ending this Broadway year strong, Maybe Happy Ending opens from June 15th to June 27, 2027. In the future of Seoul, two “obsolete” helper robots, Oliver and Claire, are cast aside and deemed useless. Throughout the musical, they journey to find themselves a better life after realizing that if they wait, they will not survive. They destroy all preconceptions surrounding robotic love and “maybe” get their happy ending. Despite only recently debuting on November 12th, 2024, Maybe Happy Ending is already deemed a Tony-winning musical.
This upcoming Broadway season serves as a reminder of how important theatre and the arts are. With the substantial use of streaming services, people often forget the beauty of watching these shows in-person. Charlotte Mar (9) believes that “Theatre is different from movies as it has more emotional depth and a raw feel to it. The characters in the theatre feel more genuine and authentic”. The shows at Segerstrom allow for the community to come together and appreciate this art and its entirety. Apart from this list, there are many more exceptional productions that are worth every minute. For those reasons, it is important to keep the tradition of theatre alive and relevant to this day.
