Extraordinary experiences abound with PSU Center’s 2026-27 events, show schedule
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UNIVERSITY PARK -- The Center for the Performing Arts 2026-27 season includes hit Broadway and theater, classical dance and contemporary circus arts, a jazz giant's final tour, and free community gatherings and event-adjacent programs.
"Our season offers shared experiences to spark curiosity, connections and renewal," CPA Director Sita Frederick said.
Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by calling, stopping in at the box office or ordering online. Those who purchase tickets by phone or in person save $4 per ticket.
To purchase tickets, call 814-863-0255. Tickets are available in person from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays at Eisenhower Auditorium. Tickets can also be purchased online at https://cpa.psu.edu/ on via the Arts Ticket Center app. Prices listed include all fees.
The upcoming season includes:
Fall 2026
Teatro La Plaza, "Hamlet"
■ 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13, Eisenhower Auditorium
A cast of actors with Down syndrome express their desires and frustrations through portrayals of the characters in "Hamlet." Asks Shakespeare, "To be or not to be?" But what does it mean "to be" for those who are often disregarded?
"The Wiz"
■ 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, Eisenhower Auditorium
The Tony Award-winning Best Musical that took the world by storm is back and lands at Penn State in an all-new tour. This groundbreaking twist on "The Wizard of Oz" changed the face of Broadway--from its iconic score packed with soul, gospel, rock and 1970s funk to its stirring tale of Dorothy's journey to find her place in a contemporary world. This dynamite infusion of ballet, jazz and modern pop brings a whole new groove to easing on down the road!
Gravity & Other Myths, "Ten Thousand Hours"
■ 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27, Eisenhower Auditorium
High-level athletes explore the nuance of physical skill--how we obtain it, how we perfect it and how it can transform our lives. Set to a driving musical score with live percussion on stage, the program follows the physical language of the pursuit of mastery, where the ordinary becomes extraordinary before your eyes.
"Clue"
■ 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, Eisenhower Auditorium
Murder and blackmail are on the menu when six eccentric guests assemble at Boddy Manor for a night they'll never forget! Based on the fan-favorite 1985 Paramount Pictures movie and inspired by the classic Hasbro board game, "Clue" is a murder mystery that will keep you guessing until the end.
Shanghai Ballet, "Giselle," Xin Lili, artistic director
■ 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, Eisenhower Auditorium
Shanghai Ballet returns to North America for the first time in more than five years with "Giselle." The classical storybook tale of love and betrayal highlights the company's hallmarks: pristine technique and unified ensemble work.
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, "Marsalis' Swinging Cities"
■ 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8, Eisenhower Auditorium
Celebrate the global language of jazz and the spirit of place in "Marsalis' Swinging Cities." The performance highlights the lauded bandleader in his final season as artistic director of Jazz at Lincoln Center and music director of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.
Penn State School of Music, "Mosaic"
■ 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, Eisenhower Auditorium
The annual immersive experience of sight and sound features performances from Penn State's finest student voice soloists, artists and ensembles performing a variety of musical styles.
Spring 2027
Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute Concert
■ 7:30 p.m. Saturday, January 23, Eisenhower Auditorium
Accomplished vocalists and musicians will perform a varied program in a soulful celebration of the civil-rights leader.
"Shucked"
■ 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 2, Eisenhower Auditorium
Corny humor and puns abound in the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical comedy featuring an unlikely hero, a lovable con man and an a-maize-ing battle for the heart and soil of Cob County.
Minty Fresh Circus, conceived and directed by Monique Martin
■ 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9, Eisenhower Auditorium
Minty Fresh Circus performs a variety of movements and rituals that reference the African diaspora and Black American culture, including percussive dance, ritual movement, Lindy, hip-hop, poppin' and lockin', jukin', hand games and physical theater.
"Bach: St. Matthew Passion," Monteverdi Choir and English Baroque Soloists, Masaaki Suzuki, conductor
■ 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16, Eisenhower Auditorium
In celebration of the massive work's 300th anniversary, the Monteverdi Choir and English Baroque Soloists, conducted by Maestro Masaaki Suzuki, will bring Johann Sebastian Bach's Good Friday oratorio live to the stage.
Marvel Studios, "Black Panther" in Concert, the North American Tour
■ 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 2, Eisenhower Auditorium
The concert-to-film event features a screening of the groundbreaking film electrified by live performances from world-class Hollywood studio musicians, African rhythm masters and powerhouse vocalists delivering the Academy Award-winning score.
"A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical"
■ 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 18, Eisenhower Auditorium
The true story of a Brooklyn kid who became an award-winning American pop music icon is set to chart-topping hits, including "Love on the Rocks," "Song Sung Blue" and "Sweet Caroline."
Let's Dance Movement Workshop for All Ages, All Abilities
■ 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 30, Eisenhower Auditorium
Sing and dance with members of the For Good Troupe as they lead performances from their favorite musical theater productions. No experience is necessary. The event is free, but registration is required.
Coffeehouse with Leonkoro Quartet
■ 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 7, Lion's Lair, 008 HUB-Robeson Center
The virtuoso ensemble, featuring siblings Jonathan and Lukas Schwarz (violin and cello), Emiri Kakiuchi (violin) and Mayu Konoe (viola), will perform an intimate, salon-style Coffeehouse program. The event is free, but online registration is required.
Leonkoro Quartet
■ 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 8, Recital Hall
The Berlin-based quartet was catapulted to global prominence after winning First Prize and nine special prizes at the 2022 Wigmore Hall International String Quartet Competition. Catch the ensemble's Penn State debut with "blazing explorations" of works by Beethoven and Schubert, and a yet-to-be named national premiere of a piece by Sauli Zinovjev.
The Joyfull series
Savor the cultures of visiting and local artists while nourishing your mind and body with sounds and sights offered by an intimate arts-based experience. The Joyfull series is free and open to the community; registration is required. Each event will feature a live performance and a menu related to the theme.
Event details will be announced as they are confirmed.
■ Hispanic Heritage Month Edition, 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 14, Heritage Hall, HUB-Robeson Center
■ Feast Edition, 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 12, Alumni Hall, HUB-Robeson Center
Accessibility services available
American Sign Language interpretation will be provided for the following 2026-27 events: Teatro La Plaza's "Hamlet," "The Wiz," "Clue," "Shucked," "Minty Fresh Circus," "Let's Dance," the Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute Concert and "A Beautiful Noise." Contact the Arts Ticket Center by email or at 814-863-0255 at least two weeks before the event to discuss ASL seating preferences.
Audio description provides a description of the visual elements of selected performances. The service, for those with sight loss, will be offered for "The Wiz" and "A Beautiful Noise." Reservations are required and must be made at least two weeks before the event. Call the Sight Loss Support Group of Central Pennsylvania at 814-238-0132 to reserve the service.
Eisenhower Auditorium is a designated KultureCity sensory-inclusive venue. Sensory inclusion is a practice that helps ensure a welcoming and accommodating experience for visitors with varying sensory needs or neurodivergence. Guests may visit a designated quiet space on the lounge level or sign out a variety of self-regulation items, including noise-reducing earmuffs, anti-strobe glasses, lap pads and curated sensory tools. The free KultureCity smartphone app may help reduce uncertainty by providing patrons with tools such as an AI talker and pre-visit social stories. These resources can help guests know what to expect and plan ahead.