Sacramento’s theater scene is weird in the best way possible. If you grew up here, you probably remember the old blue-and-green canvas tent in a parking lot near 15th and H Street. That was the original home of Music Circus. It was hot, it smelled like popcorn and old fabric, and it was legendary. Fast forward to 2026, and while the tent is long gone—replaced by the climate-controlled UC Davis Health Pavilion—the soul of Sacramento musical theater is still very much intact.
Honestly, the musicals in Sacramento CA for the 2026 season are shaping up to be some of the most diverse we've seen in years. We aren't just talking about the same old Oklahoma! revivals. From massive Broadway tours at the SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center to the gritty, experimental stuff happening at places like Capital Stage or The Sofia, the "Farm-to-Fork Capital" is basically "Farm-to-Stage" right now.
The Big Guns: Broadway on Tour and Music Circus
Let’s talk about the 800-pound gorilla in the room: Broadway Sacramento. They run two distinct series that most people get confused. Broadway On Tour brings the national touring companies (the big sets, the New York casts) to the SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center. Then you have Broadway At Music Circus, which happens in the round.
If you’ve never seen a musical in the round, it’s kinda trippy. There is no "back" of the stage. The actors have to constantly rotate so they aren't just showing their backside to half the audience. It makes for an incredibly intimate experience, even for big shows.
What’s Hitting the Stage in 2026?
The schedule for this year is actually pretty stacked. If you’re trying to plan your nights out, here is what is actually happening:
- Disney’s The Lion King: It’s wrapping up its massive run at the SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center right now (through January 25). If you haven't seen the puppetry in person, you're missing out on the one show that actually lives up to the hype.
- Beetlejuice: Coming in hot from February 17–22. It’s loud, it’s crude, and the lighting design is basically a rave.
- MJ The Musical: Set for April 8–19. Whether you’re a fan of the man or not, the choreography in this show is objectively insane. It’s one of those "how do their bones not break?" kind of experiences.
- Back to the Future: This is the one everyone is talking about for May 2026. Yes, they bring a DeLorean on stage. Yes, it does things you wouldn't expect a car to do inside a theater.
The "Music Circus" Summer Vibes
Once the weather gets Sacramento-style hot (you know, that dry 105°F heat), the action shifts over to the UC Davis Health Pavilion for the summer stock season. This is where the local tradition really shines.
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The 2026 summer lineup is a mix of nostalgia and massive hits. Disney’s Frozen is the big ticket for June 19–28. It’s a bold choice for theater-in-the-round because, well, how do you do an ice palace with no walls? But that’s the magic of Music Circus. Following that, we’ve got Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein in July, which is basically a requirement if you like tap-dancing monsters.
Later in the summer, Hairspray returns in August, followed by the incredibly moving Come From Away in September. If you only see one show this year, make it Come From Away. It’s the true story of 38 planes diverted to a tiny town in Newfoundland on 9/11. It sounds heavy, but it’s actually one of the most uplifting things you’ll ever see.
Why Local Productions Might Actually Be Better
Look, I love a big Broadway tour as much as the next person, but some of the best musicals in Sacramento CA happen in the smaller houses. You get more "heart," less "corporate polish," and usually a cheaper ticket.
Davis Musical Theatre Company (DMTC) is a prime example. They are doing Little Shop of Horrors in March 2026. There’s something about seeing a giant man-eating plant in a smaller room that just feels right. Plus, they’re doing Shrek The Musical later in the spring, which is a total blast for families who don't want to pay $150 a seat downtown.
Then there’s the Harris Center out in Folsom. They’ve got The Book of Mormon coming in February. It’s the same big-tour quality but in a venue that feels a lot more manageable than the downtown Sacramento maze.
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The Surprising "Threepenny Opera"
One of the most interesting "under the radar" picks for 2026 is the Light Opera Theatre of Sacramento’s production of The Threepenny Opera in March. They’re doing a new English translation in a cabaret style. It’s dark, it’s satirical, and it’s a far cry from the "Disney-fication" of theater. If you want something that bites, that's your show.
The Logistics: Don't Get Burned
A lot of people think they can just roll up to the box office on a Friday night. For something like The Lion King or Back to the Future, you're gonna be disappointed.
Pro Tip: If you’re going to the SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center, park at the Hyatt Regency garage or the Memorial Garage. Walking a few blocks is better than sitting in the "post-show crawl" for 45 minutes. Also, if you’re doing Music Circus, remember that there isn't a bad seat in the house because of the circular seating—but if you’re in the front row, keep your feet back. The actors run through the aisles constantly, and nobody wants to trip a Broadway lead.
Is Sacramento the "New" Theater Hub?
Calling it the "new" anything is a bit of a stretch, but Sacramento has a higher concentration of professional musical theater than almost any other city its size in the West. We have a weirdly high "theater IQ" here. Maybe it's because we've been doing it since the 50s.
We also have the B Street Theatre at The Sofia. While they are mostly known for plays, they’ve been dipping their toes into "foot-stomping" new musicals, like Grace & The Butterfly Effect scheduled for late 2026. It's an original work, which is something this city needs more of.
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Real Talk on Pricing
Broadway tours are getting expensive. We’re talking $70 for the "cheap" seats and $200+ for the orchestra. If that’s not in the budget, check out the community theaters. Sacramento City College’s City Theatre or Falcon’s Eye Theatre at Folsom Lake College often put on productions that rival the pros for a fraction of the cost. Falcon's Eye is doing Godspell in April 2026, and their production value is usually through the roof.
How to Make the Most of Sacramento's Theater Scene
If you're looking to dive into the world of musicals in Sacramento CA this year, here's how to do it right:
- Check the "First Thursdays": Sometimes you can snag last-minute deals or see preview performances at a discount.
- Look for "Open Captioned" or "Sign Interpreted" dates: Broadway Sacramento is actually pretty great about accessibility. If you need these services, they usually have specific dates (like May 24 for Back to the Future).
- Eat at K Street first: Don't eat the theater food. Hit up Solomon's or Darling Aviary before the show. It makes the whole night feel like an "event."
- Buy at the Box Office: If you live nearby, go to the physical box office at 1419 H Street. You’ll save a ton on those "convenience" fees that ticket websites love to tack on.
Summary of Must-See Dates for 2026
- The Book of Mormon: Feb 17–22 (Harris Center)
- Beetlejuice: Feb 17–22 (SAFE Credit Union PAC) - Yes, they overlap!
- Fat Ham (Sacramento Premiere): March 18–April 19 (Capital Stage)
- MJ The Musical: April 8–19 (SAFE Credit Union PAC)
- Back to the Future: May 13–24 (SAFE Credit Union PAC)
- Disney's Frozen: June 19–28 (UC Davis Health Pavilion)
The 2026 season isn't just a repeat of years past. It's a mix of huge technical spectacles and intimate, locally produced stories. Whether you're a die-hard theater nerd or just someone looking for a reason to put on something other than sweatpants, there's a seat waiting for you somewhere in the 916.
Your Next Steps:
Check the seating chart for the UC Davis Health Pavilion specifically for the summer season—the "in-the-round" layout means you might want to pick your entry aisle carefully if you have mobility issues. Head over to the official Broadway Sacramento website to look at the "Season Content Guide" if you're bringing kids, as shows like Young Frankenstein and Beetlejuice have more "adult" humor than the posters might suggest. Grab your tickets for Back to the Future early; that DeLorean is going to sell out fast.