Some Big Stages Are Set for 2025. Who’s Doing What?
Pacific Northwest Ballet just announced its 2024-25 season today, hot on the heels of season announcements from The 5th Avenue Theatre (last week), Seattle Opera, Village Theatre, and Broadway Across America’s touring lineup at the Paramount Theatre.
Now that most of the biggest stages in musicals and dance are set, here’s a look at their seasons.
Descriptions are provided by theatre companies or other show materials.
The 5th Avenue Theatre
After Midnight
September 20 – October 13, 2024
Immerse yourself in the sultry, swingin’ Jazz Age of the Harlem Renaissance, where the Cotton Club is the place to be! Infused with the iconic tunes of Duke Ellington, Dorothy Fields, Harold Arlen, and more, After Midnight weaves groundbreaking jazz standards with rapturous dance and the rhythmic poetry of Langston Hughes in a jubilant production fit to blow the roof off the theater. Timeless songs like “Stormy Weather,” “On the Sunny Side of the Street,” and “It Don’t Mean a Thing” will have you leaping to your feet to join the fun. Winner of the Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle Awards.
Conceived by Jack Viertel; selected text by Langston Hughes; directed by Jay Santos.
*
Mary Poppins
November 22 – December 22, 2024
With a spoon full of sugar, Mary Poppins flies across the stage with the precocious Banks children in tow. Re-imagined as a brand-new production just for 5th Avenue Theatre audiences, this ageless tale set in a fantastically magical world reveals the wonder all around us. Winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical.
A Musical Based on the Stories of P.L. Travers and the Walt Disney Film; original music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman; book by Julian Fellowes; new songs and additional music and lyrics by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe; co-created by Cameron Mackintosh.
*
The Last Five Years
At ACT Contemporary Theatre (annual co-production)
February 8 – March 16, 2025
This modern musical takes a devastatingly honest look at one couple’s journey falling in and out of love. Through clever storytelling and sharp lyrics, Jason Robert Brown’s cult favorite gives us a raw and intimate window into two souls and two perspectives of one relationship. Take a journey with The 5th and ACT through the joy and ache of love. Winner of two Drama Desk Awards.
Written and Composed by Jason Robert Brown; directed by Bill Berry.
*
Waitress
March 7-30, 2025
Sara Bareilles’s pop-rock score powers this story of friendship, chosen family, and embracing the unexpected, as Jenna dreams of baking her way out of a small town to something more. Filled with longing, desire, hope, and of course, pie — lots of pie — this new staging will leave you craving another slice.
Music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles; book by Jessie Nelson; based on the motion picture by Adrienne Shelly; directed and choreographed by Lisa Shriver.
*
Parade
April 16 – May 4, 2025
Leo and Lucille Frank are a newlywed Jewish couple struggling to make a life in the old red hills of Georgia. When Leo is accused of an unspeakable crime, it propels them into an unimaginable test of faith, humanity, justice, and devotion. Riveting and gloriously hopeful, Parade reminds us that to love, we must truly see one another. Winner of the 2023 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical.
Book by Alfred Uhry; music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown; co-conceived and originally directed by Harold Prince; directed by Michael Arden.
*
Bye Bye Birdie
June 6-29, 2025
Time for the telephone hour, call all your friends: Birdie shakes up The 5th for the first time! The sparkling, high-energy musical comedy will leave you dancing up the aisles with our fresh twist on this rock-‘n’-roll classic. Winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical.
Book by Michael Stewart; music by Charles Strouse; lyrics by Lee Adams; directed by Bill Berry and Jay Santos.
*
Tickets and information available at The 5th’s website here.
Pacific Northwest Ballet
The Times Are Racing
Justin Peck, Jessica Lang, Edwaard Liang
September 20-29, 2024
Step into the world of contemporary ballet with three spectacular choreographers, led by a new work by PNB’s new Resident Choreographer Jessica Lang. Add the color and vibrancy of both Edwaard Liang’s The Veil Between Worlds and Justin Peck’s The Times Are Racing and you’ve got a recipe for an invigorating trio of ballets.
*
All Balanchine
Three by George Balanchine
November 1-10, 2024
This meeting of music and dance is as thought-provoking now as it was when Balanchine created these now-classic ballets. Don’t miss this intriguing blend of American folk dance (Square Dance), dramatic parable (Prodigal Son), and ballet blockbuster (Stravinsky Violin Concerto).
*
The Nutcracker
November 29 – December 28, 2024
The Northwest holiday tradition, George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker is ready to delight one and all. From the liveliest lobby in town to the dazzling sets, costumes, performances, and Tchaikovsky’s iconic score, The Nutcracker is an integral part of the holidays for ballet fans of all ages.
*
The Sleeping Beauty
January 31 – February 9, 2025
This brand-new, historically-informed production of Marius Petipa’s The Sleeping Beauty promises to enchant, with scenic design by glass artist Preston Singletary, costumes by Paul Tazewell, and Tchaikovsky’s score. Walk with Princess Aurora through a Pacific Northwest-inspired fairyland as she fulfills her destiny in a ballet full of adventure, dreams, and love.
*
Emergence
Crystal Pite, Marco Goecke, Jerome Robbins, Price Suddarth
March 14-23, 2025
Crystal Pite’s audience favorite Emergence returns after a six-year hiatus. This mesmerizing piece is accompanied by Jerome Robbins’ intimate Afternoon of a Faun, Marco Goecke’s solo work Mopey, and a world premiere from PNB dancer and choreographer Price Suddarth. Each of these choreographers pushes the boundaries of dance with their own unique vision.
*
Roméo et Juliette
April 11-20, 2025
Jean-Christophe Maillot’s Roméo et Juliette distills the Shakespearean tragedy to its most moving, timeless core. Watch as young love blooms, grows, and overwhelms in this magnetic refresh of the classic story, featuring emotional performances by PNB Company dancers and Sergei Prokofiev’s powerful score masterfully rendered by the PNB Orchestra.
*
Director’s Choice
Twyla Tharp, Rena Butler, Kiyon Ross
May 30 – June 8, 2025
Embrace humanity and expand your mind as you explore the three pieces in this final production of the season. Twyla Tharp’s American masterpiece Nine Sinatra Songs is still sharp 40 years after its premiere. Two pieces from innovative choreographers Rena Butler and PNB’s own Kiyon Ross round out the program.
*
Tickets and information available at PNB’s website here.
Seattle Opera
Pagliacci
August 3–17, 2024
When a commedia dell’arte troupe arrives in a small Italian village, they are greeted by cheers of welcome. Comedy turns to tragedy when jealousy rages, lovers are revealed, and the curtain comes down on murder. Set in 1930s Italy, our visually arresting production features artful sets and traditional commedia dell’arte costumes.
Music and libretto by Ruggero Leoncavallo. Performed in Italian with English subtitles.
*
Jubilee
October 12-25, 2024
Set soon after Emancipation and the end of the Civil War, follow the historic Fisk Jubilee Singers on their first tours, raising funds for the fledgling Fisk University and spreading their music around the world. This world premiere opera by renowned writer and director Tazewell Thompson features an ensemble of 13 singers performing over 40 spirituals, including “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” “Wade in the Water,” and many more.
Created and directed by Tazewell Thompson; vocal arrangements by Dianne Adams McDowell; orchestrated by Michael Ellis Ingram. Performed in English with English subtitles.
*
Les Troyens in Concert
January 17 & 19, 2025
Following last season’s celebrated Samson and Delilah in Concert, this abridged version of the classic epic features the Seattle Opera returns of Tacoma-raised mezzo-soprano J’Nai Bridges (as Dido, the Queen of Carthage) and tenor Russell Thomas (as Aeneas), in concert with a full orchestra and chorus.
Music and libretto by Hector Berlioz. Performed in French with English subtitles.
*
The Magic Flute
February 22 – March 9, 2025
Featuring seamless interaction between onstage performers and eye-popping hand-drawn animated visuals, experience a striking new-to-Seattle production of a beloved audience favorite. Inspired by silent movies, Barrie Kosky’s colorful and energetic production comes to Seattle after receiving standing ovations at opera houses around the world.
Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart; libretto by Emanuel Schikaneder. Performed in German with English subtitles.
*
Tosca
May 3-17, 2025
Giacomo Puccini’s melodrama returns in a fan favorite classic production. Sopranos Vanessa Goikoetxea and Lianna Haroutounian return to McCaw Hall as the fiery prima donna Floria Tosca. As Cavaradossi, tenor Rame Lahaj alternates with Yonghoon Lee, who returns to Seattle after his debut last season.
Music by Giacomo Puccini; libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa. Performed in Italian with English subtitles.
*
Tickets and information available at Seattle Opera’s website here.
Village Theatre
Camelot
September 10 – October 13, 2024 (Issaquah)
October 19 – November 10, 2024 (Everett)
Passion! Jealousy! Romance! Discover the enchantment of Camelot, one of the greatest musicals of all time. This intimate new adaptation cuts to the heart of the story to focus on the legendary love triangle at its core. An idealistic King Arthur hopes to build his kingdom on a foundation of justice and order, only to find his principles tested by the love between Queen Guenevere and his favorite knight, Sir Lancelot, all while the future of the kingdom is at stake. With tunes like “If Ever I Would Leave You,” “I Loved You Once in Silence,” and “The Lusty Month of May,” as well as songs not often heard in other productions, you’ll hear this enthralling score like never before. Don’t miss this epic and alluring (k)night of theatre!
Book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner; music by Frederick Loewe; based on “The Once and Future King” by T.H. White; book adapted by David Lee; new orchestrations by Steve Orich.
*
Legally Blonde
November 12 – December 22, 2024 (Issaquah)
January 4 – 26, 2025 (Everett)
Don’t judge a blonde by her cover! Elle Woods appears to have it all. But her life is turned upside down when her boyfriend dumps her so he can attend Harvard Law. Determined to get him back, Elle ingeniously charms her way into the prestigious law school and soon she discovers — and proves to the world — the power of being legally blonde. Based on the beloved movie, Legally Blonde: The Musical takes you from the sorority house to the halls of justice in fabulously fun, blonde-tastic style, with an infectious score, dazzling dances, and a hilarious script.
Music and lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin; book by Heather Hach; based on the novel by Amanda Brown and the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Motion Picture.
*
Dial ‘M’ For Murder
January 21 – February 23, 2025 (Issaquah)
March 1 – 23, 2025 (Everett)
Murder has a familiar ring. Tony married his wife for her money, and now he plans to murder her for it. But when his perfect plans go awry, he has to improvise — and now his wife’s former lover Maxine and a wily inspector from Scotland Yard must race against the clock to unravel his schemes. This spine-tingling new adaptation is brimming with more unexpected turns and diabolic plot twists than Hitchcock’s timeless film version. Will Tony get away with it, or will justice be served? You’ll be guessing until the very end of this fast-paced, stylish thriller. Get ready for a criminally good time. (Note: this is Village’s non-musical for the season.)
Adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher, from the original by Frederick Knott.
*
Jersey Boys
March 18 – April 27, 2025 (Issaquah)
May 3 – May 25, 2025 (Everett)
Go behind the music and inside the world of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons in the Tony Award-winning true-life musical phenomenon, Jersey Boys. They were just four guys from Jersey until they sang their very first note. They had a sound nobody had ever heard, and the radio just couldn’t get enough of. But while their harmonies were perfect on stage, off stage it was a very different story — a story that has made them an international sensation all over again. This scintillating new production promises electrifying performances of chart-topping hits including: “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” “Dawn,” “My Eyes Adore You,” and so many more. Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons sang like angels, and cursed like Jersey teenagers. Expect plenty of great tunes and adult language.
Book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice; music by Bob Gaudio; lyrics by Bob Crewe.
*
The Color Purple
May 27 – June 29, 2025 (Issaquah)
July 5 – 27, 2025 (Everett)
A testament to the healing power of love. With a soul-raising, Grammy Award-winning score infused with jazz, gospel, ragtime, and the blues, The Color Purple is a triumphant musical adapted from the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. In the early 1900s in rural Georgia, a teenage Celie is ripped from her life and forced into an abusive marriage. Despite the anguishing circumstances she endures, she comes to discover her voice, find herself, and celebrate life. This stirring and inspiring show explodes with music, beauty, and hope, in a new production that will fill your heart and awaken your soul.
Based on the novel by Alice Walker and the Warner Bros./Amblin Entertainment Motion Picture; book by Marsha Norman; music and lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray; directed by Timothy McCuen Piggee.
*
Tickets and information available at Village’s website here.
Touring: Broadway at The Paramount
Peter Pan
August 21-25, 2024
This high-flying musical, which has thrilled audiences of all ages for close to 70 years, returns with a new adaptation by celebrated playwright Larissa FastHorse. The adventure begins when Peter Pan and his mischievous sidekick, Tinker Bell, whisk the Darling children away on a magical journey with a sprinkle of fairy dust and a few happy thoughts. Full of excitement and adventure, Peter Pan embraces the child within us all. Directed by Emmy Award-winner Lonny Price; choreographed by Lorin Latarro.
*
Funny Girl
September 24-29, 2024
In a sensational revival with an iconic score, this love letter to the theatre has the whole shebang. The bittersweet comedy is the story of the indomitable Fanny Brice, a girl from the Lower East Side who dreamed of a life on the stage. Everyone told her she’d never be a star, but then something funny happened: she became one of the most beloved performers in history, shining brighter than the brightest lights of Broadway. Featuring a score by Jule Styne and Bob Merrill, an updated book from Harvey Fierstein based on the original classic by Isobel Lennart, tap choreography by Ayodele Casel, choreography by Ellenore Scott, and direction from Michael Mayer.
*
Wicked
November 6 – December 1, 2024
So much happened before Dorothy dropped in. Wicked, the Broadway sensation, looks at what happened in the Land of Oz from a different angle. Long before Dorothy arrives, there is another young woman, born with emerald-green skin; smart, fiery, misunderstood, and possessing an extraordinary talent. When she meets a bubbly blonde who is exceptionally popular, their initial rivalry turns into the unlikeliest of friendships — until the world decides to call one “good” and the other one “wicked.” From the first electrifying note to the final breathtaking moment, Wicked, the untold true story of the Witches of Oz, transfixes audiences with its wildly inventive story.
*
Back to the Future
December 10-22, 2024
Great Scott! Back to the Future, the beloved cinematic classic, is now a Broadway musical. When Marty McFly finds himself transported back to 1955 in a time machine built by the eccentric scientist Doc Brown, he accidentally changes the course of history. Now he’s in a race against time to fix the present, escape the past, and send himself back to the future. Adapted for the stage by the iconic film’s creators Bob Gale and Robert Zemeckis; directed by Tony Award-winner John Rando; with original music by multi-Grammy Award-winners Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard, alongside hit songs from the movie.
*
Kimberly Akimbo
January 7-12, 2025
In this Tony Award-winning new musical about growing up and growing old (in no particular order), Kimberly Akimbo must navigate family dysfunction, a rare genetic condition, her first crush … and possibly felony charges. Ever the optimist, she is determined to find happiness against all odds and embark on a great adventure. Featuring book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire, score by Jeanine Tesori, and choreography by Danny Mefford; directed by Jessica Stone.
*
Hamilton
February 4 – March 2, 2025
A revolutionary story of passion, unstoppable ambition, and the dawn of a new nation, Hamilton is the epic saga that follows the rise of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton as he fights for honor, love, and a legacy that would shape the course of a nation. Based on Ron Chernow’s acclaimed biography and set to a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B, and Broadway, Hamilton features book, music, and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, direction by Thomas Kail, choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler, and musical supervision and orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire.
*
Life of Pi
April 15-20, 2025
Based on the novel that sold more than 15 million copies and became a worldwide phenomenon, Life of Pi is an epic story of perseverance and hope that speaks to every generation. After a shipwreck in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, a 16-year-old boy named Pi survives on a lifeboat with four companions — a hyena, a zebra, an orangutan, and a Royal Bengal tiger. Told with jaw-dropping visuals, world class puppetry, and exquisite stagecraft, the Tony Award-winning Life of Pi creates a breathtaking journey that will leave you filled with awe and joy.
*
Six
May 6-11, 2025
Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived. From Tudor Queens to Pop Icons, the six wives of Henry VIII take the microphone to remix 500 years of historical heartbreak into a euphoric celebration of 21st century girl power, in this Tony Award-winning original musical by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss. Read NWT’s review here.
*
Riverdance 30 – The New Generation
May 30 – June 1, 2025
Since Riverdance first emerged onto the world stage, its fusion of Irish and international dance and music has captured the hearts of millions worldwide. This 30th anniversary production rejuvenates the much-loved original show with new innovative choreography and costumes and state of the art lighting, projection and motion graphics. And for the first time Riverdance welcomes “The New Generation” of performers, all of whom were not born when show began 30 years ago. This blend of the traditional and the contemporary showcases the skill and passion of the world-class of dancers, musicians and singers in the Riverdance ensemble. Composed by Bill Whelan; directed by John McColgan.
*
Mamma Mia!
June 10-15, 2025
On the eve of her wedding, a daughter’s quest to discover the father she’s never known brings three men from her mother’s past back to the island they last visited decades ago. Set on a Greek island paradise where the sun always shines, this tale of love, friendship, and identity is beautifully told through the timeless hits of ABBA. For nearly 25 years, people all around the world have fallen in love with the characters, the story, and the music that make Mamma Mia! the ultimate feel-good show.
*
& Juliet
July 29 – August 3, 2025
Created by David West Read, the Emmy-winning writer from Schitt’s Creek, this hilarious new musical flips the script on the greatest love story ever told. & Juliet asks: what would happen next if Juliet didn’t end it all over Romeo? Get whisked away on a fabulous journey as she ditches her famous ending for a fresh beginning and a second chance at life and love — her way. Juliet’s new story bursts to life through a playlist of pop anthems including “Since U Been Gone‚” “Roar,” “Baby One More Time,” “Larger Than Life‚” “That’s The Way It Is,“ and “Can’t Stop the Feeling!”– all from Max Martin, the genius songwriter/producer behind more #1 hits than any other artist this century. Break free of the balcony scene and get into this romantic comedy that proves there’s life after Romeo.
*
Tickets and information available at Broadway Across America’s website here.
View these and all the theatre seasons (for this year and next) on NWTheatre’s annual shows list here.