Birmingham’s theater season is ramping up. Here are 35+ shows to put on your calendar

Birmingham is full of theaters with exciting performances from talented actors, and it’s never too early to start planning which you’d like to see. Here are some of the shows we are most excited to catch for the 2025-2026 season.

Terrific New Theatre

205-328-0898 | Facebook | Instagram | Website

Address: 2112 5th Ave. N

The Spitfire Grill

When: Oct. 9 – 26, 2025

A troubled young parolee decides to start her life off fresh in a rural, Wisconsin town. She quickly finds a job at the local diner, “The Spitfire Grill.” Her presence, and the unveiling of an idea, spark both suspicion and hope in this sweet community… in great need of healing.

Ripcord

When: Dec. 4 – 21, 2025

Abby, a cantankerous woman who enjoys the solitude of her sunny room, is being forced to accept Marilyn as her new roommate. They couldn’t be more opposite, and this difference in personalities causes immediate friction at the Bristol Place Senior Living Facility. Will Marilyn move out? Will Abby get to keep the bed by the window? This dark comedy explores the dynamic of human relationships, the challenges of aging and the surprising ways people can find connection.

The Recipe Box

When: Feb. 5 – 22, 2026

“The Recipe Box” is an emotionally-layered Southern dramedy about heartbreak, healing and unexpected connection. When Joah leaves his husband Rick for a younger man, Rick is left in chaos. Also left behind is Joah’s outspoken, whiskey-loving, gambling-addicted mother, Lou Wanda, who suddenly finds herself with no home and no plan. Rich in Southern flavor and sharp humor, “The Recipe Box” serves up a heartfelt exploration of love, loss and the families we choose.

The Events

When: April 16 – May 3, 2026

Claire, an Anglican minister with a strong community agenda, is grappling with unfathomable violence… triggering a spiritual crisis for Claire and igniting a quest for meaning. The Boy, the perpetrator of the violence, is an isolated, troubled young man who also becomes every other character that Claire encounters and questions on her quest. Each night, a different community choir is performing on stage. The songs performed by the choir on stage chart Claire’s journey towards understanding.

I Carry Your Heart with Me

When: June 11 – 28, 2026

Esther Shannon is a government stenographer working for the US Air Force during the Vietnam War. Lonely, conflicted and haunted by voices and stories from her past, Esther finds herself smack dab in the middle of a troubling investigation. With plenty of twists and turns along the way, this tour-de-force starring local theater star Dolores Hydock is a taut, suspenseful mystery that packs a real emotional wallop.

Learn more and purchase tickets here.

Red Mountain Theatre

205-324-2424 | Facebook | Instagram | Website

Address: 1600 3rd Ave. S

SIX: Teen Edition

When: Nov. 1 – 2, 2025

Divorced. Beheaded. Died. Divorced. Beheaded. Survived. These queens aren’t stuck in history anymore — they’re taking center stage, rewriting five centuries of heartbreak with killer vocals, fierce moves and unapologetic girl power. Part history, part pop concert, all unstoppable energy, SIX is the worldwide phenomenon that will have you dancing in your seat.

Red Mountain Theatre’s Seasoned Performers Showcase

When: Nov. 16, 2025

Join The Seasoned Performers for an afternoon of nostalgia, storytelling and laughter as they perform excerpts from three readings and short plays.

Holiday Spectacular

When: Dec. 4 – 21, 2025

It’s our annual celebration of everything we love about the season, from chaotic joy to quiet warmth, all tied up with a big sparkly bow. 75 performers take the stage for classic carols and modern music, plus new surprises every year!

The Wiz

When: Feb. 6 – Mar. 1, 2026

Come on, ease on down the road! Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tinman and Lion are on their way to the Emerald City, with a nonstop party of rock, gospel and soul music to carry them on their adventures. Everybody rejoice!

Performing Ensembles Spring Show

When: Mar. 7 – 8, 2026

Dear Evan Hansen

When: April 3 – 19, 2026

Dear Evan Hansen is a co-production with UAB Theatre. A high school senior with social anxiety invents an important role for himself in a tragedy that he did not earn.

Ronald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach Jr. 

When: May 1 – 3, 2026

Roald Dahl’s classic bursts to life as James and his quirky insect friends relive their daring escape from dreadful Aunt Sponge and Aunt Spiker. Join their wild voyage across the ocean in a giant, flying peach!

The Little Mermaid

When: June 12 – July 19, 2026

This love story for the ages will enchant all ages with irresistible songs, rich costuming and amazing stagecraft. Follow Ariel as she makes a dangerous bargain with the sea witch Ursula to trade her aquatic life for one up on land. Can her friends Flounder the Fish, Scuttle the Seagull and Sebastian the Crab help her win Prince Eric’s heart before the sun sets on the third day?

Come From Away

When: Aug. 21 – Sept. 20, 2026

This Tony-winning musical is based on a true story about the day the tiny town of Gander, Newfoundland, played host to the world. On Sept. 11, 2001, 38 planes were diverted to the airstrip, bringing thousands of scared international travelers to the sleepy town. But with music, an open bar and a few language barriers, it becomes a moment for global unity in an uncertain time. 

Learn more and purchase tickets here. 

Opera Birmingham

205-322-6737 | Facebook | Instagram | Website

Address: 3600 7th Court S

The Three Little Pigs

When: Oct. 3 – 4, 2025

Where: Avondale Amphitheatre 

This classic children’s story comes to life through the music and familiar melodies by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Three young pigs have to figure out how to build a house to protect themselves from the Big Bad Wolf. While two of the pigs just want to play and have fun, Despina Pig goes to the library and learns how to build a strong house to protect her friends. 

Sounds of the Season

When: Dec. 14, 2025

Where: Brock Recital Hall

Kick off the holidays with Sounds of the Season, a concert of favorites, both sacred and secular. This family-friendly concert is an audience favorite, jam packed with classic Christmas carols and beloved songs of the holidays. It is a true gift of the season, certain to put you in the holiday spirit! 

Opera Birmingham Vocal Competition

When: Feb. 8, 2026

Where: B&A Warehouse

Opera Birmingham’s annual Vocal Competition is your chance to experience the thrill of opera’s rising stars before they take the world’s biggest stages. For more than 40 years, this prestigious event has drawn top emerging singers from across the country, offering them a platform to shine—and offering you an unforgettable evening of music. 

Pagliacci / Cavalleria Tusticana

When: April 17 + 19, 2026

Where: Dorothy Jemison Day Theater at ASFA

In Cavalleria Rusticana, a soldier returns home to discover the woman he loves has married another. One Easter morning, simmering tensions boil over in a small Sicilian village—with tragic consequences. Then in Pagliacci, a traveling clown must perform while grappling with real-life heartbreak and betrayal. As the lines between stage and reality blur, a shocking finale unfolds before the audience’s eyes.

Learn more and purchase tickets here.

Virginia Samford Theatre

205-251-1228 | Facebook | Instagram | Website

Address: 1116 26th St. S

Carole Cook Died for My Sins

When: Sept 18 – 21, 2025

In this raw and revelatory solo show, actor Mason McCulley delivers a heartfelt tribute to two pivotal women in his life: his late mother and the legendary actress Carole Cook, a protégé of Lucille Ball. Through candid storytelling, McCulley navigates his journey from conservative Alabama to the heart of Hollywood, exploring themes of grief, addiction and self-discovery. 

To Kill a Mockingbird

When: Dec. 11 – 21, 2025

VST will celebrate Harper Lee’s 100th birthday with Christopher Sergel’s compelling adaptation of the seminal Pulitzer Prize–winning novel. Seen through the eyes of young Scout Finch, the play explores themes of racial injustice and moral growth in 1930s Alabama. We follow her father, Atticus, as he defends a Black man wrongly accused of a grave crime, challenging the deep-seated prejudices of their small town.

Rent

When: Feb. 12 – 22, 2026

Jonathan Larson’s groundbreaking rock musical chronicles a year in the lives of young artists navigating the struggles of life in 1980s America, in New York City’s East Village. With unforgettable songs like “Seasons of Love,” Rent pulses with urgency and defiance, yet it radiates resilience, community and the unwavering hope that joy and connection can bloom even in the hardest moments.

Our Town

When: April 15 – 19, 2026

Thornton Wilder’s quietly profound classic reflects on the everyday lives of the citizens of Grover’s Corners, New Hampshire. Through simple staging and deeply reflective storytelling, the play invites us to embrace life’s fleeting beauty. It celebrates ordinary days while offering a gentle reminder that hope can be found in the rhythms and enduring cycles of life itself.

Bye Bye Birdie

When: June 2026

This sparkling musical comedy bursts with energy, color and the unmistakable charm of the 1950s. As teen heartthrob Conrad Birdie prepares to ship off to the army, his farewell performance throws a small town and one lucky fan into joyful chaos. With catchy tunes and youthful spirit, Bye Bye Birdie captures the optimism, fun and fresh hope that come with new beginnings.

Learn more and purchase tickets here.

Birmingham Festival Theatre

205-933-2383 | Facebook | Instagram | Website

Address: 1901 ½ 11th Ave. S

Little Shop of Horrors

When: Oct. 3 – 19, 2025

The meek floral assistant Seymour Krelborn stumbles across a new breed of plant he names “Audrey II” after his coworker crush. This foul-mouthed, R&B-singing carnivore promises unending fame and fortune to the down and out Krelborn as long as he keeps feeding it blood. Over time, though, Seymour discovers Audrey II’s out of this world origins and intent towards global domination!

Who’s Holiday! 

When: Dec. 5 – 21, 2025

“Who’s Holiday!” is a wildly funny and heartfelt adults-only comedy that tells the story of Cindy Lou Who as she recalls that Christmas Eve she first met the Grinch and the twisted turn of events her life has now taken.

2026 season to be announced.

Learn more and purchase tickets here.

UAB Department of Theatre

205-934-3236 | Facebook | Website

Address: 1200 10th Ave. S

Don’t Ask (staged reading at The Human Rights New Works Festival)

When: Sept. 27, 2025

Don’t Ask is a staged reading at Red Mountain Theatre as part of The Human Rights New Works Festival. A former ROTC graduate and commissioned second lieutenant fights a deeply personal battle. Based on true events.

Dead Man’s Cell Phone

When: Oct. 15 – 19, 2025

Answering a stranger’s incessantly ringing cell phone leads a troubled woman to confront her own assumptions about morality, mortality, redemption and the need to connect in a technologically obsessed world.

A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder

When: Nov. 12 – 16, 2025

A distant heir to a family fortune sets out to speed up the line of succession by using a great deal of charm… and a dash of murder.

Don’t Ask

When: Feb. 25 – 28 + Mar. 1, 2026

A former ROTC graduate and commissioned second lieutenant fights a deeply personal battle. Based on true events.

Murder on the Orient Express

When: March 25 – 29, 2026

An American tycoon lies dead in their Orient Express compartment and the passengers rely on detective Hercule Poirot to identify the killer—in case they decide to strike again!

Dear Evan Hansen

When: April 3 – 19, 2026

Dear Evan Hansen is a co-production with Red Mountain Theatre. A high school senior with social anxiety invents an important role for himself in a tragedy that he did not earn.

Learn more and purchase tickets here.

Birmingham Children’s Theatre

205-458-8181 | Facebook | Instagram | Website

Address: 2130 Richard Arrington Jr Blvd N

Dot and Ziggy

When: Sept. 13 – 27, 2025
Where: BCT Wee Folks Theatre

Meet Dot the ladybug and Ziggy the skunk—neighbors who couldn’t be more different. One likes up, the other likes down. One flies, one runs. And neither is very good at sharing. But with a little help from a wise spider—and the encouragement of the audience—Dot and Ziggy begin to discover the joy of cooperation.

The City Mouse and the Country Mouse

When: Oct. 25 – Nov. 8, 2025

Where: BCT Wee Folks Theatre

When a country mouse visits her city cousin, both are surprised by how different their lives are. From the peaceful comforts of the countryside to the bustling excitement of the city, each mouse discovers the joys—and challenges—of the other’s world. This delightful adaptation of Aesop’s classic fable brings engaging storytelling, lovable characters and timeless lessons about friendship, appreciation and staying true to yourself to the stage.

The Cat Man of Aleppo

When: Oct. 17 + 18, 2025

Where: Birmingham Public Library, Central Branch

“The Cat Man of Aleppo” is a true story that follows Mohammad Alaa Aljaleel, an ambulance driver who chooses to stay in war-torn Syria to care for the people and the animals left behind. As the war displaces families and leaves the streets empty, Alaa begins to notice the growing number of stray and hungry cats. He starts feeding and sheltering them, eventually creating a sanctuary that brings hope and kindness to a devastated city. 

Narnia: The Musical

When: Dec. 6 – 20, 2025

Where: BCT Mainstage Theatre

Step through the wardrobe into the magical world of Narnia, where adventure awaits and courage is tested. This beloved story follows four siblings who are unexpectedly transported from our world into a land ruled by mythical creatures, talking animals and the majestic lion Aslan. Narnia is under the icy grip of the White Witch, and with Aslan’s return, the children must rise to the challenge and help bring light and peace back to the kingdom. 

Blue

When: Jan. 31, 2025 – Feb. 14, 2026

Where: BCT Wee Folks Theatre

Welcome to the whimsical world of Blue, where everything is delightfully, wonderfully… blue! Inky Blue and Pale Blue live happily in their perfectly blue launderette, keeping the world tidy and totally color-coordinated. But when a red sock suddenly appears in a pile of laundry, their routine is thrown into chaos! As emotions swirl and surprises unfold, Inky Blue begins to feel something unexpected—admiration for the Red Sock—much to Pale Blue’s dismay.

Catching the Moon

When: Feb. 14 – 28, 2026

Where: BCT Mainstage Theatre

With the crack of a bat and a heart full of determination, young Marcenia Lyle dreams of nothing more than playing baseball. She knows the ball field is where she truly belongs, even if others say it’s no place for a girl. When a famous manager comes scouting for summer camp, Marcenia steps up to the plate, ready to prove she has what it takes.

A Sick Day for Amos McGee

When: March 14 – 21 + 24 – 26, 2026

Where: BCT Wee Folks Theatre

Amos McGee is the kindest, most thoughtful zookeeper you’ll ever meet. Every day, he makes time for his animal friends—running races with the tortoise, sitting quietly with the shy penguin and offering a handkerchief to a sniffling elephant. But when Amos wakes up feeling under the weather, it’s the animals’ turn to show how much they care. 

Schoolhouse Rock Live!

When: April 11 – May 2, 2026

Where: BCT Mainstage Theatre

Get ready to rock your way through grammar, math, science and history in this high-energy musical based on the beloved educational TV series! “Schoolhouse Rock Live!” follows Tom, a nervous schoolteacher on the eve of his first day, who finds unexpected inspiration when characters representing different parts of his personality spring to life from his TV. Together, they teach him how to engage his students through imagination and music with unforgettable songs like “Conjunction Junction,” “Lolly, Lolly, Lolly” and “I’m Just a Bill.”

Learn more and purchase tickets here.

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