2026 Season Announced!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MAC-HAYDN THEATRE ANNOUNCES 2025 SEASON OF MUSICALS
CHATHAM, NY (December 12, 2025)—The Mac-Haydn Theatre is thrilled to unveil its highly anticipated 2026 season, a vibrant lineup that deepens the theatre’s commitment to bold storytelling, imaginative design, and the unique intimacy that has defined the Mac-Haydn experience for more than half a century. Tickets are now on sale at www.machaydntheatre.org.
Building on last year’s acclaimed productions and audience enthusiasm, the 2026 season promises a sweeping collection of beloved classics, contemporary favorites, and new discoveries—each selected to spark curiosity, joy, and conversation in equal measure.
“We’re bringing audiences works they love, works they’ve overlooked, and works they’ve never seen quite like this,” says Producing Artistic Director, John Saudners. “Our unique space allows us to reinvent these titles from the ground up, and this year’s slate is all about taking big creative swings.”
This season, the theater has added 37 additional seats back into what is currently the smallest audience section—restoring its signature in-the-round experience. The stage and seating were modified in 2021 to a thrust stage configuration.
President Paul Colarusso added, “Last season showed us how deeply our community values live theater. The energy coming from our audiences has been extraordinary, and it inspires us to dream bigger every year. This lineup represents that ambition.”
Main Stage Performance Details:
June 11–21
The Addams Family Musical
Book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, Music and Lyrics by Andrew Lippa
Based on Characters Created by Charles Addams
The weird and wonderful family comes to life in this magnificently macabre musical featuring everyone’s favorite creepy, kooky characters.
June 25–July 5
9 to 5
Music and Lyrics by Dolly Parton, Book by Patricia Resnick
Based on the Twentieth Century Fox film
Three unlikely friends take control of their office and learn there is nothing they can’t do, even in a man’s world.
July 9–19
The Secret Garden
Music and Lyrics by Marsha Norman, Music by Lucy Simon
Adapted from the novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett
In a house of secrets, a young girl unlocks the door to forgiveness, love, and new beginnings.
July 23–August 9
Newsies (MHT debut)
Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Jack Feldman, Book by Harvey Fierstein
Based on the Disney film written by Bob Tzudiker and Noni White
Stop the presses! This Disney film turned Tony-winning Broadway hit inspires everyone to fight for what’s right and seize the day.
August 13–23
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (MHT debut)
Words and Music by Gerry Goffin, Carole King, Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil, Book by Douglas McGrath
Music by Arrangement with Sony Music Publishing
The inspiring true story of Carole King’s journey from teenage songwriter to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
August 27–September 6
Hairspray
Book by Thomas Meehan & Mark O’Donnell, Music by Marc Shaiman, Lyrics by Marc Shaiman & Scott Wittman
Based on the New Line Cinema film, written and directed by John Waters
You can’t stop the beat in this big and bold musical about one girl’s inspiring dream to dance.
Limited Performances:
Daddy Long Legs (MHT debut)
Music and Lyrics by Paul Gordon, Book by John Caird
Wednesday, July 29, 7:30pm & Friday, July 31, 3:00pm
A heartwarming Cinderella story about a witty and winsome young woman and her mysterious benefactor, based on the treasured novel that inspired the classic 1955 film.
Showstoppers: The Golden Years
Wednesday, September 2, 7:30pm & Friday, September 4, 3:00pm
This season brings a new spin on an old favorite. Experience the sparkle and show-stopping magic of Broadway’s most unforgettable era.
Single ticket sales and 7 and 4-show subscriptions are now open. For more information on the 2026 season, showtimes, and tickets, visit www.machaydntheatre.org.
About the Mac-Haydn Theatre:
Founded in 1969, the Mac-Haydn Theatre strives to present innovative, diverse and professional musical theatre productions to the residents of Columbia County and beyond. We aim to cultivate young talent for careers in theatre and seek to provide a supportive environment for the creation of new musical theatre works.
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