Key West, FL – The Waterfront Playhouse announces its 2026–2027 Season, a vibrant lineup of productions that moves from an electrifying live concert to intimate solo performances, from inventive holiday storytelling to fast-paced comedy, from a soaring musical to a classic suspense thriller. Each production offers its own distinct style and tone, creating a season defined by variety, energy, and a deep connection to the audience we share it with.

The season opens with an encore presentation of “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” (October 15–23), the groundbreaking, Obie Award-winning, rock musical presented as a live concert event. Raw, funny, and unapologetically edgy, ‘Hedwig’ breaks down the barrier between performer and audience, creating a theatrical experience that is as immediate as it is exhilarating.

The Spotlight Series begins with the Florida premiere of “Destroying David” (November 12–14), an immersive and deeply affecting work set in Florence, where a guide’s exploration of Michelangelo’s David becomes something far more personal—an examination of art, humanity, and the ephemeral nature of beauty, and what it means to truly see.

For the holidays, “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play” (December 3–17, shows Sunday to Thursday) transforms the theatre into a 1940s radio studio, complete with live Foley effects, a jazz trio, and original jingles created for local Key West businesses. It’s a playful, inventive reimagining of a beloved story—one that celebrates both theatrical craft and the spirit of the season.

In January, the Spotlight Series continues with “Blanche and Beyond” (January 7–9), the companion piece to “A Distant Country Called Youth”, tracing Tennessee Williams at the height of his career. Returning to the Waterfront, Broadway luminary Richard Thomas explores the collaborators, relationships, and pressures that shaped Williams’ most celebrated work.

Also in January: “Unnecessary Farce” (January 28–February 6), by Paul Slade Smith (author of the wildly popular “The Angel Next Door” at the Waterfront) delivers a fast-paced, expertly constructed comedy of errors- two cops, three crooks, eight doors, and a relentless cascade of mistaken identities and perfectly timed chaos.

The Spotlight Series continues with another Florida Premiere “Call Me Elizabeth” (February 11–13), starring Kayla Boye in her internationally acclaimed solo performance about Elizabeth Taylor. Set over the course of a single morning, the play offers an intimate and revealing portrait of a woman navigating fame, identity, and survival with wit, resilience, and remarkable clarity.

With “Come From Away” (March 4–20), the season opens outward, expanding its scope while continuing to deepen the human stories at its core. This staggeringly moving and remarkably beautiful musical tells the true story of a small town in Newfoundland that welcomed thousands of stranded travelers on 9/11—an outpouring of generosity, humor, and grace that reveals just how extraordinary people can be for one another.

The season concludes with “Dial M for Murder” (April 8–17), a smart, stylish thriller in the tradition of “Wait Until Dark” and “Accomplice”, both audience favorites at the Waterfront. With its precise construction, shifting allegiances, and elegant tension, it’s the kind of play that keeps an audience leaning forward, fully engaged until the final turn.

“I’m so excited to share this wonderful season with everyone in Key West,” said Artistic Director Patrick New. “These are stories brimming with humanity, compassion, vitality, and kindness—qualities that feel more essential than ever. Each production will bring us together to listen, connect, and share something meaningful as a community.”

2026–2027 Season Lineup:
• “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” October 15 – October 23
• “Destroying David” (Florida Premiere) November 12 – November 14
• “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play”
 December 3 – December 17
• “Blanche and Beyond”
 January 7 – January 9
• “Unnecessary Farce”
 January 28 – February 6
• “Call Me Elizabeth”
 February 11 – February 13
• “Come From Away”
 March 4 – March 20
• “Dial M for Murder”
 April 8 – April 17

Season subscription memberships are now available!

For tickets, memberships, and more information, visit www.waterfrontplayhouse.org or call 305-294-5015.

Contact:

Patrick New
, Artistic Director
[email protected]
305-294-5015