Houston’s theater scene is set to dazzle as the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts unveils its highly anticipated 2025-2026 Memorial Hermann Broadway at the Hobby Center season. With a spectacular lineup featuring six Houston premieres and a mix of fresh productions alongside returning crowd favorites, this season promises a theatrical experience unlike any other.

The excitement begins in September 2025 with the first national tour of the five-time Tony Award®-winning Best Musical, Kimberly Akimbo, a heartwarming and humorous tale of growing up and growing old—though not necessarily in that order. Audiences will then be treated to the high-energy and deeply personal story of music legend Neil Diamond in A Beautiful Noise, a production that celebrates the songs and struggles of an icon.

Fans of literary classics will be captivated by The Outsiders, the groundbreaking adaptation of S.E. Hinton’s beloved novel and winner of the 2024 Tony Award® for Best Musical. Meanwhile, magic and nostalgia take center stage as Disney’s Beauty and the Beast returns in a stunning 30th-anniversary production, promising to enchant audiences all over again.

Adding to the lineup is Water for Elephants, a moving adaptation of the bestselling novel that reminds us that life—and love—can begin at any age. F. Scott Fitzgerald’s roaring 1920s masterpiece, The Great Gatsby, leaps from page to stage in a dazzling musical spectacle, while Some Like It Hot brings its Tony and Grammy Award®-winning song-and-dance magic to Houston, delivering irresistible fun based on the classic 1959 film. Closing out the season in June 2026 is Clue, a comedic whodunnit that will keep audiences guessing (and laughing) until the very last twist.

As a special treat, two sensational productions, Hadestown—winner of eight Tony Awards®, including Best Musical—and Six, the electrifying reimagining of the six wives of Henry VIII, return as 2025-2026 Season Options.

Subscription packages for the full eight-show season go on sale at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 11, starting at just $359. Theatergoers eager to secure their seats can visit BroadwayAtTheHobbyCenter.com for more details and to subscribe.

“Over the past few years, Broadway has been bursting with fresh, exhilarating productions,” said Mark Folkes, President and CEO of the Hobby Center. “This season showcases an incredible mix of award-winning new musicals, beloved classics, and groundbreaking storytelling that will captivate Houston audiences.”

Current 2024-2025 subscribers will be automatically renewed—risk-free—for the upcoming season on Friday, February 21, 2025. Existing subscribers can log into their accounts to view invoices ahead of renewals.

With such an electrifying lineup, Houston theater enthusiasts are in for an unforgettable season. Whether you’re a lifelong Broadway fan or a newcomer to the magic of live theater, the 2025-2026 Memorial Hermann Broadway at the Hobby Center season is one you won’t want to miss!

The Broadway at the Hobby Center 2025-2026 Season features ten amazing productions from September 2025 to June 2026, including:

KIMBERLY AKIMBO

September 30–October 5, 2025

WINNER

BEST MUSICAL

THE MOST TONY AWARD-WINNING SHOW OF THE SEASON

A new musical about growing up and growing old (in no particular order), KIMBERLY AKIMBO is the winner of 5 Tony Awards including BEST MUSICAL. It features Tony Award-winning book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire (Shrek), a Tony Award-winning score by Jeanine Tesori (Fun Home), choreography by Danny Mefford (Dear Evan Hansen) and direction by Tony-nominated director Jessica Stone (Water for Elephants).

Kimberly is about to turn 16 and recently moved with her family to a new town in suburban New Jersey. In this “howlingly funny heartbreaker of a show” (The New Yorker), 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.

A BEAUTIFUL NOISE: THE NEIL DIAMOND MUSICAL

November 4–9, 2025

THE UNTOLD TRUE STORY OF A BROOKLYN KID WHO BECAME A CHART-BUSTING, SHOW-STOPPING, AWARD-WINNING AMERICAN ICON

Created in collaboration with Neil Diamond himself, A BEAUTIFUL NOISE is the uplifting true story of how a kid from Brooklyn became a chart-busting, show-stopping American rock icon. With 120 million albums sold, a catalogue of classics like "America," "Forever in Blue Jeans," and "Sweet Caroline," an induction into the Songwriters and Rock and Roll Halls of Fame, a Grammy® Lifetime Achievement Award, and sold-out concerts around the world that made him bigger than Elvis, Neil Diamond's story was made to shine on Broadway-and head out on the road across America.

Like Jersey Boys and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical before it, A BEAUTIFUL NOISE: THE NEIL DIAMOND MUSICAL is an inspiring, exhilarating, energy-filled musical memoir, that tells the untold true story of how America's greatest hitmaker became a star, set to the songs that defined his career.

THE OUTSIDERS

November 18–23, 2025

The winner of four Tony Awards® including Best Musical is THE OUTSIDERS.

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 (Johnathan Clay and Zach Chance) and 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. Entertainment Weekly says, "It has the power to inspire an entire generation."

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.”

DISNEY’S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

January 6–18, 2026

“You will have the time of your life!

All the great songs and moments are here.”

- Good Morning America

Be Our Guest at Disney’s 30^th Anniversary production of DISNEY’S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, the breathtaking musical filled with the romance and grandeur audiences know and love.

This enchanting and timeless tale has been brought to life like never before, with spectacular new sets and dazzling costumes. The show boasts the Oscar®-winning and Tony Award®-nominated score, including the classic songs “Be Our Guest” and “Beauty and the Beast.”

Reuniting to create this new production are members of the original Tony Award®-winning artistic team, including composer Alan Menken, lyricist Tim Rice, book writer Linda Woolverton, with direction and choreography by Matt West, scenic design by Stanley A. Meyer, costume design by Ann Hould-Ward and lighting design by Natasha Katz.

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST is the beloved musical that will fill your heart with joy and Disney magic.

WATER FOR ELEPHANTS

January 27–February 1, 2026

“Many wonders await audiences in this gorgeously imaginative Broadway musical.”

- The New York Times

The critically acclaimed bestselling novel comes to “thrilling, dazzling” life (Time Out New York) in a unique, spectacle-filled new musical! Hailed as a Critic’s Pick, The New York Times calls it “stunning, emotional, heart-filled and gorgeously imaginative.”

After losing what matters most, a young man jumps a moving train unsure of where the road will take him and finds a new home with the remarkable crew of a traveling circus, and a life—and love—beyond his wildest dreams. Seen through the eyes of his older self, his adventure becomes a poignant reminder that if you choose the ride, life can begin again at any age.

Tony Award-nominated director Jessica Stone’s “huge, heart-filling" production (The New York Times) features a book by three-time Tony nominee Rick Elice adapted from Sara Gruen’s novel, and a soaring score by the acclaimed PigPen Theatre Co.

So, step right up to the “spellbinding entertainment” (Variety) at WATER FOR ELEPHANTS, “the best new musical on Broadway” (Theatermania).

THE GREAT GASTBY

March 3–8, 2026

THE PARTY’S ROARING IN HOUSTON!

THE GREAT GATSBY is a “Broadway extravaganza that explodes with life and energy” (Entertainment Weekly). Based on the classic American novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the Tony Award®-winning new musical is an unforgettable journey of love, wealth and tragedy that brings the Roaring Twenties to life on stage.

Directed by Marc Bruni (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical), this story of extravagance and longing features choreography by Dominique Kelley (So You Think You Can Dance), a book by Kait Kerrigan (The Mad Ones) and a jazz- and pop-influenced original score by Jason Howland (Little Women) and Nathan Tysen (Paradise Square).

SOME LIKE IT HOT

March 24–29, 2026

Winner of 4 Tony Awards®, including Best Choreography and Best Costumes, and the Grammy Award® for Best Musical Theater Album, SOME LIKE IT HOT is “A Super-Sized, All-Out Song-And-Dance Spectacular!” - The New York Times

Set in Chicago when Prohibition has everyone thirsty for a little excitement, SOME LIKE IT HOT is the “glorious, big, high kicking” (Associated Press) story of two musicians forced to flee the Windy City after witnessing a mob hit. With gangsters hot on their heels, they catch a cross-country train for the life-chasing, life-changing trip of a lifetime.

And what a trip it is! With its irresistible combination of heart and laughs, song and dance, SOME LIKE IT HOT won more theater awards than any show in its season, and was named Best Musical by the Drama Desk, The Drama League, and the Outer Critics Circle. No wonder Deadline calls it “a tap-dancing, razzle-dazzling embrace of everything you love about musical theater.”

CLUE

June 9–14, 2026

A Mansion. A Murder. A Mystery.

Murder and blackmail are on the menu when six mysterious guests assemble at Boddy Manor for a night they’ll never forget! Was it Mrs. Peacock in the study with the knife? Or was it Colonel Mustard in the library with the wrench? Based on the fan-favorite 1985 Paramount Pictures movie and inspired by the classic Hasbro board game, CLUE is the ultimate whodunit that will leave you dying of laughter and keep you guessing until the final twist.

SEASON OPTIONS

HADESTOWN

February 10–15, 2026

COME SEE HOW THE WORLD COULD BE.

Welcome to HADESTOWN, where a song can change your fate. Winner of eight 2019 Tony Awards^® including Best Musical and the 2020 Grammy^® Award for Best Musical Theater Album, this acclaimed new show from celebrated singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell and original director Rachel Chavkin (Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812) is a love story for today... and always.

HADESTOWN intertwines two mythic tales — that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of King Hades and his wife Persephone — as it invites you on a hell-raising journey to the underworld and back. Mitchell’s beguiling melodies and Chavkin’s poetic imagination pit industry against nature, doubt against faith, and fear against love. Performed by a vibrant ensemble of actors, dancers and singers, HADESTOWN is a haunting and hopeful theatrical experience that grabs you and never lets go.

SIX

April 7–12, 2026

From Tudor Queens to Pop Icons, the SIX wives of Henry VIII take the microphone to remix five hundred years of historical heartbreak into a Euphoric Celebration of 21st century girl power! This new original musical is the global sensation that everyone is losing their head over!

SIX won 23 awards in the 2021/2022 Broadway season, including the Tony Award® for Best Original Score (Music and Lyrics) and the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Musical.

The New York Times says SIX “TOTALLY RULES!” (Critic's Pick) and The Washington Post hails SIX as “Exactly the kind of energizing, inspirational illumination this town aches for!"

The SIX: LIVE ON OPENING NIGHT Broadway album debuted at Number 1 on the Billboard cast album charts and surpassed 6 million streams in its first month.

SIX includes flashing lights, strobe effects, theatrical haze and loud music throughout.

Auto-Renewal for existing subscribers will keep the same subscription seats for the 2025-2026 Season including KIMBERLY AKIMBO, A BEAUTIFUL NOISE: THE NEIL DIAMOND MUSICAL, THE OUTSIDERS, DISNEY’S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, WATER FOR ELEPHANTS, THE GREAT GATSBY, SOME LIKE IT HOT, and CLUE with access to add HADESTOWN and SIX.

The 8-show Broadway at the Hobby Center 2025-26 Season subscription packages go on sale beginning at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 11; prices start as low as $359. Season Subscribers may add the return of one or both HADESTOWN and SIX available as season options.

·       Online at BroadwayAtTheHobbyCenter.com 24 hours a day

·       By calling (800) 952-6560; Monday through Friday between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. CST

·       By visiting the Hobby Center Box Office at 800 Bagby Street; 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday

·       Prices start at $359 for an 8-show package

Broadway at the Hobby Center offers an array of subscriber benefits including: best seats at the best prices, priority purchase opportunities, flexible payment plans, exchange privileges, and replacements on lost or stolen tickets. In addition, Season Subscribers can take advantage of special offers plus membership and privileges to Broadway Across America, a national network of 48 North American cities where Broadway is presented.

GROUPS AND INDIVIDUAL TICKETS: Individual ticket on-sale dates will be announced throughout the year. For more information about groups of 10 or more, call (888) 451-5986, visit http://Houston.broadway.com/groups or e-mail houston.groups@broadwayacrossamerica.com.

SOCIAL Media: To stay up-to-date and get the inside scoop on the 2025-26 season before it opens in Houston, join the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts social community through the following channels:

Facebook          facebook.com/TheHobbyCenter

facebook.com/BroadwayAcrossAmericaHouston

X                         twitter.com/HobbyCenter

twitter.com/BAAHouston

Instagram          instagram.com/hobbycenterhou

The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts serves as a connector, convenor and incubator for all Houston audiences, artmakers and arts organizations. Opened in 2002, the campus houses two theaters including the 2,650-seat Sarofim Hall and the 500-seat Zilkha Hall. Delivering a best-in-class patron experience, the Hobby Center welcomes over 400,000 audience members annually to engage with high-quality arts programming including the Memorial Hermann Broadway at the Hobby Center series. The Hobby Center is also home to a full season of musical theatre produced by Principal Resident Company Theatre Under the Stars, as well as a variety of diverse performances from both Houston-based and touring artists and companies. Education and accessibility initiatives are central to the Hobby Center’s impact in Houston through programs like the ExxonMobil Discovery Series that welcomes thousands of students to performances every season. Please visit TheHobbyCenter.org. Follow the Hobby Center on Facebook, Instagram and X.

Broadway Across America (BAA) is part of the John Gore Organization family of companies, which includes Broadway.com, The Broadway Channel, BroadwayBox.com, Group Sales Box Office, and Broadway Brands.  Led by 22-time Tony-winning theater producer John Gore (Owner & CEO), BAA is the foremost presenter of first-class touring productions in North America, operating in 48 markets with over 450,000 subscribers. Presentations include Disney’s The Lion King, Wicked, The Book of Mormon, and Hamilton. Current productions include &Juliet, Hadestown, Hamilton, Hell’s Kitchen, MJ: The Musical, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, The Outsiders and Stereophonic.