You’re standing on Robert Dedman Drive, the humidity is finally dropping, and you can see the glow of the UT tower. There is a specific kind of energy that hums outside Bass Concert Hall right before the doors open. Honestly, if you grew up thinking you had to fly to NYC and spend a month’s rent on a hotel just to see a decent musical, you’ve been misled.
Austin’s theater scene has shifted. It’s no longer just a "stop on the tour." We’re getting the heavy hitters—sometimes the same year they bag the Tony.
But here is the thing: most people mess up the logistics. They buy from the wrong sites, they pick seats where they can only see the top of a dancer's head, or they miss out on the local gems because they’re only looking for the "big" names. If you’re hunting for broadway shows in austin texas, you need a bit of a game plan to actually enjoy it without the headache.
Why the 2025-2026 Season is Actually a Big Deal
The upcoming lineup at Bass Concert Hall is arguably one of the strongest we’ve seen in years. We aren't just getting the "classics" that have been touring since the 90s. We are getting the fresh stuff.
Take The Outsiders. That show just cleaned up at the Tonys, and it’s coming here in October 2025. What’s even cooler? The music was actually written by Jamestown Revival, a band with deep Austin roots. It’s like the show is coming home in a weird way.
Then you’ve got Kimberly Akimbo kicking things off in September 2025. It’s quirky, it’s heartbreaking, and it’s definitely not your standard "jazz hands" musical. If you want the full breakdown of what’s coming to the Bass stage, here’s the schedule you need to care about:
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- Kimberly Akimbo: Sept 30 – Oct 5, 2025
- The Outsiders: Oct 21 – 26, 2025
- Disney’s Beauty and the Beast: Dec 2 – 14, 2025 (Perfect for that "I need to entertain my family during the holidays" vibe)
- SIX: Jan 20 – 25, 2026 (The "wives of Henry VIII" pop concert that everyone is obsessed with)
- The Sound of Music: Feb 3 – 8, 2026
- Hadestown: Feb 20 – 22, 2026 (This one is a "Season Option," meaning it’s a short run—don't sleep on it)
- The Great Gatsby: Mar 10 – 15, 2026
- Mamma Mia!: Apr 14 – 19, 2026
- The Wiz: May 12 – 17, 2026
- & Juliet: July 14 – 19, 2026
Don't Get Scammed: The Ticket Truth
I can’t stress this enough. If you Google "Broadway shows in Austin Texas," the first three results are usually resellers who want to charge you $400 for a $70 seat. It’s predatory, and it’s a mess.
Basically, there are only two "official" ways to get tickets without getting ripped off. You go through the Texas Performing Arts website or Broadway in Austin. Anything else is the Wild West.
If a show is "sold out" on the official site, the venue actually points you toward SeatGeek as their official secondary marketplace. At least there, you know the ticket is real. I’ve seen people show up with a printed PDF they bought off a random site only to find out it was a duplicate. Don't be that person. It's awkward for the ushers and devastating for you.
Pro Tip: The Season Subscription Hack
If you’re the type who sees more than two shows a year, just get the subscription. It sounds fancy, but it actually saves money. For the 2025-2026 season, packages started around $285 for 7 shows. Do the math. That’s like $40 a show. You can't even get a decent steak in this town for $40 anymore.
Bass Concert Hall: Where Should You Actually Sit?
Let’s talk about the room. Bass Concert Hall is huge. It seats about 2,900 people. Because of that, your seat choice matters more here than it does in a tiny Broadway house in Manhattan.
- Orchestra (The Ground Floor): Rows A–M are the "Goldilocks" zone. You’re close enough to see the sweat on the actors' faces but far enough back that you aren't straining your neck. If you go too far back in the Orchestra (like the double-letter rows), the overhang from the balcony can sometimes muffle the sound a bit.
- First Balcony: Honestly? My favorite. If you can get the front few rows of the First Balcony, you get the best "picture" of the choreography.
- Second Balcony: It’s high. Like, "don't look down if you have vertigo" high. It’s affordable, sure. But if you’re sitting in the back of the second balcony, you’re basically watching ants. Bring binoculars. I’m serious.
The "Local" Broadway Experience (The ZACH Theatre)
Everyone focuses on the touring shows at Bass, but you’re missing out if you ignore ZACH Theatre. They produce their own professional-grade shows right here in Austin.
The Topfer at ZACH is an intimate 420-seat house. There isn't a bad seat in the place. For the 2026 season, they’re doing Dear Evan Hansen (April–May) and Come From Away (August–September). Seeing Come From Away in a smaller space is a completely different experience—it feels way more personal. Plus, the bar at ZACH is usually easier to navigate than the mob at Bass.
Navigating the Night of the Show
Traffic on I-35 or Mopac is a given. If the show starts at 7:30 PM, and you’re leaving from South Austin at 6:30 PM, you’re already late.
Parking: Use the Manor Garage or the San Jacinto Garage. You can usually pre-pay for parking through the Texas Performing Arts website. It saves you from that frantic "where do I put my car" loop around the UT campus.
Drinks: Bass has bars on every level. They even have a "YETI Souvenir Tumbler" you can buy which, frankly, is the most Austin thing ever. You can take your drink into the theater if it’s in one of those.
What to wear: This is Austin. I’ve seen people in full tuxedos sitting next to guys in Chacos and UT football jerseys. Most people go "business casual," but honestly, wear what makes you happy. Just maybe bring a sweater—Bass is kept at a temperature that could preserve a woolly mammoth.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Show
Stop overthinking it and just do these three things:
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- Sign up for the eClub: Go to the Broadway in Austin website and join their mailing list. This is how you get the presale codes for single tickets before they hit the general public.
- Check the "Ways to Save" page: Texas Performing Arts often has student rushes or military discounts that aren't widely advertised.
- Book a dinner nearby: Manor Road has some great spots (like Salty Sow or Haymaker) that are a quick 5-minute Uber from the hall. Don't try to eat at the venue unless you want a $12 box of candy for dinner.
Broadway in Austin is booming because this city finally has the audience to support it. Whether it's the high-tech pop of SIX or the grit of The Outsiders, there's something about sitting in a dark room with 2,000 other people that a Netflix special just can't touch.