If you walk down Capitol Avenue in Midtown Sacramento and see a sleek, modern glass building, you might think it’s just another fancy office for a tech firm or a law group. It isn't. That’s The Sofia, the permanent home of B Street Theatre Sacramento, and honestly, it’s the heartbeat of the city’s creative scene. But here's the thing: people who haven't been in a while still think of it as "that small theater company that used to be in the old warehouse."
That couldn't be further from the truth.
The Myth of the "Small" Local Play
Most folks assume local theater is just a bunch of hobbyists putting on Our Town for the hundredth time. B Street is different. It was founded in 1986 by Timothy Busfield—yeah, the guy from Thirtysomething and The West Wing—alongside his brother Buck. They didn't want a stuffy community playhouse. They wanted a "new works" engine.
Since then, they’ve produced over 100 new plays. Over 60 of those were world or regional premieres. We're talking about scripts that eventually hit Broadway or London, starting right here in a 250-seat room in Sacramento. When you sit in the Mike & Bobbie Voris Mainstage, you aren't just watching a play; you're often seeing the first-ever iteration of a story. It’s gritty. It’s intimate. There’s no "back row" because the furthest seat is barely 20 feet from the actors. You can literally hear them breathe.
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Why 2026 is a Massive Year for the Sofia
Right now, the theater is hitting its 40th-anniversary stride. It’s a big deal. They just bagged the 2025 Outstanding Theatre Award from the National Theatre Conference, which is basically the Heisman Trophy for regional stages.
The 2026 lineup is honestly kind of wild. It kicks off with a stage adaptation of Stephen King’s Misery. If you’ve seen the movie, you know it’s intense, but seeing Annie Wilkes hobble Paul Sheldon three feet away from your face? That’s a different level of psychological horror.
Later this year, they’re doing something even more ambitious: a series of workshops for a new musical called DREAM DREAM DREAM. It’s about Felice and Boudleaux Bryant, the powerhouse couple behind hits like "Love Hurts" and "Wake Up Little Susie." It’s slated for a full world premiere in 2027, so 2026 is the "behind the curtain" year where you can see the bones of a major production being built.
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The Family Series Isn't Just for Kids
There’s a misconception that the Family Series is just for restless toddlers. Nope. It’s professional theater that just happens to be accessible for kids. Their production of Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad (running February to March 2026) is a prime example. It doesn't talk down to the audience.
For many Sacramento natives, B Street was their first-ever exposure to live performance via the School Tour. This "Fantasy Theatre" legacy is still alive, reaching about 200,000 kids annually across Northern California. It’s arguably the most important thing they do, creating the next generation of culture-goers.
Navigating the Space: More Than Just Plays
One of the best things about the move to the Sofia Tsakopoulos Center for the Arts in 2018 was the diversification. You don't just go there for a two-act drama anymore.
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- Upstairs at the B: This is the "black box" space. It’s experimental. Think improv, sketch comedy, and the Maximum Occupancy series.
- Live Music: The acoustics in the Sutter Theatre are world-class. In early 2026, they’ve got everything from Norman Brown (Grammy winner) to an evening of Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen covers.
- The Vibe: It’s "come as you are." You’ll see people in suits next to people in hoodies and Chuck Taylors. It’s Midtown. It’s supposed to be casual.
The "Hidden" Community Impact
Under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director Lyndsay Burch—who took over after Buck Busfield retired in 2022—the theater has leaned hard into being a community hub. They offer space to the Sacramento Ballet and Teatro Nagual at discounted rates. It’s not a silo; it’s an ecosystem.
They also run a Playwriting Contest for kids. It's not just a "good job" certificate, either. The winners actually get their plays produced by professional actors. Imagine being 10 years old and seeing a pro actor perform the lines you wrote. That changes a kid's trajectory.
Actionable Tips for Your First (or Next) Visit
- Don't panic about parking. There’s a seven-story parking garage literally right next door. It’s the easiest parking situation in all of Midtown.
- Arrive early for the "Nutshell" series. If you like storytelling (think The Moth), their In A Nutshell series runs throughout 2026. It’s raw and usually hilarious.
- Check the "Upstairs" schedule. The Mainstage gets the most press, but the experimental stuff upstairs is often where the most "Sacramento" energy is found.
- Subscribe if you're local. Subscriptions can save you up to 70% compared to single-ticket prices. Plus, they give you "flexible date changes," which is crucial because life happens.
- Grab a drink at the lobby bar. It’s a "no-host" bar, and they actually let you take your drinks into the theater. Try doing that at a traditional opera house.
B Street Theatre Sacramento has survived recessions, a global pandemic, and a massive move across town. It works because it refuses to be boring. Whether it's a world premiere comedy or a gut-wrenching drama, the goal remains the same: tell a good story, and tell it right in the audience's lap.
If you want to experience the 2026 season, head to their box office at 2700 Capitol Ave or check their digital calendar. The Misery run is already generating a lot of buzz, so booking those early is your best bet for a decent seat.