Orlando Family Stage Announces 2026-2027 Season

ORLANDO, Fla. (July 7, 2026) Orlando Family Stage today announced its 2026-2027 season, continuing the celebration of its Centennial with a lineup that looks toward the future while honoring a century of inspiring young people through theatre. The season features two world premieres, beloved returning favorites, nationally acclaimed artists, the second annual Florida Children’s Book Festival, and two fully produced Youth Academy musicals starring Central Florida’s next generation of performers.

As the organization enters its 101st year, the Centennial celebration continues with new artistic milestones, expanded literary programming, and the creation of original works that will begin in Orlando before reaching audiences nationwide.

“Our Centennial is about so much more than honoring our rich history. It is about investing in the next hundred years of stories,” said Artistic Director Jeff Revels. “This season celebrates the artists, audiences, and young people who make Orlando Family Stage special while continuing our commitment to creating new work that begins here and has a life far beyond our community.”

The Centennial celebration will also continue beyond the stage throughout the year with additional community events and special programs to be announced. Planned activities will invite audiences to celebrate Orlando Family Stage’s first century while helping shape its next, including opportunities to share memories, preserve local theatre history, and participate in unique Centennial experiences designed to connect generations of artists, audiences, and families.

The season opens with Havana Hop (September 17-19), the nationally touring, interactive production written and performed by Paige Hernandez, whose Tiara’s Hat Parade captivated Orlando audiences last season. Through hip-hop, salsa, and audience participation, young Yeila discovers confidence while embracing her Cuban heritage.

October brings the world premiere of The Best Halloween Ever (October 5-November 1), a brand-new adaptation of Barbara Robinson’s beloved novel by Jahnna Beecham and Skye Hillgartner. The unforgettable Herdman family returns in a hilarious and heartfelt Halloween adventure that makes its worldwide debut at Orlando Family Stage before becoming available to theatres across the country.

The holidays welcome back A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live On Stage (November 16-December 27), Orlando Family Stage’s signature production that has become a treasured Central Florida tradition while touring to audiences across North America in partnership with Gershwin Entertainment. For the first time, the Peanuts gang will perform to Vince Guaraldi’s iconic jazz score, featuring a live trio onstage. Filled with laughter and timeless lessons about friendship and belonging, this new musical element makes an already beloved holiday tradition even more magical for audiences of all ages.

On February 20, 2027, Orlando Family Stage will once again transform its campus into a celebration of books, storytelling, and imagination during the Second Florida Children’s Book Festival. Building on the success of its inaugural festival, the free community event will welcome nationally recognized children’s authors, illustrators, educators, performers, and thousands of young readers for a full day of author talks, performances, interactive experiences, and book discoveries that celebrate the power of literacy.

The theatrical season continues with Pete the Cat’s Big Hollywood Adventure (February 1-28, 2027), a rock-and-roll musical featuring everyone’s favorite cool cat. When Pete and Callie find themselves lost in a movie studio, they discover dinosaurs, treasure maps, robots, and unforgettable songs by Tony Award-winning composer Will Aronson.

March brings another exciting world premiere musical, with the title to be announced later this summer. Inspired by beloved characters known for spreading care, friendship, joy, and imagination, this major new production will make its world debut at Orlando Family Stage before launching a national tour.

The season concludes with Dragons Love Tacos 2: The Mu(Sequel) (April 5-May 9, 2027), the follow-up to Orlando Family Stage’s audience favorite. When the world’s taco supply disappears, Robbie, Kodi, and their dragon friends embark on a hilarious time-traveling adventure filled with music, imagination, and, of course, tacos.

The season also showcases Orlando Family Stage’s acclaimed Youth Academy with two fully staged productions performed by young artists. These productions are created with the same artistic standards that define Orlando Family Stage’s professional work, offering students the opportunity to rehearse and perform in a professional theatrical environment while developing their skills as artists and collaborators. This season’s Youth Academy productions include Disney’s Camp Rock: The Musical (December 4-6, 2026) and Trolls The Musical Jr. (April 30-May 2, 2027).

“Every production this season is part of how we fulfill our mission of empowering young people to be brave and empathetic,” said Executive Director Chris Brown. “As we continue our Centennial celebration, we are creating experiences that help young people imagine new possibilities, strengthen literacy, celebrate belonging, and ensure every child and family can see themselves reflected in our community.”

As part of its ongoing commitment to accessibility, every production in the 2026-2027 season will include an American Sign Language interpreted performance, an Audio Described performance, and a Relaxed Performance, ensuring more children and families can experience live theatre in ways that best meet their needs.

The Centennial celebration will also continue beyond the stage throughout the year with additional community events and special programs to be announced. Planned activities will invite audiences to celebrate Orlando Family Stage’s first century while helping shape its next, including opportunities to share memories, preserve local theatre history, and participate in unique Centennial experiences designed to connect generations of artists, audiences, and families.

Sharon Line Clary, senior vice president of community impact and partnership engagement for AdventHealth, Official Healthcare Provider of Orlando Family Stage and Presenting Sponsor of the 2026–2027 Season, said, “As Orlando Family Stage continues celebrating a century of service to Central Florida, we are honored to help bring this extraordinary season to life. Theatre has the power to nurture confidence, empathy, resilience, and connection, all of which are essential to a child’s overall wellbeing. We are proud to partner in creating experiences that help children and families feel whole.”

Memberships are available now, giving families the flexibility to experience Orlando Family Stage throughout the year while supporting its mission to empower young people through live theatre.

2026-2027 Season at a Glance

Havana Hop

Field Trips: September 17 & 18
Public Performances: September 19
Written, choreographed and performed by Paige Hernandez
Original music by Nick “Nick tha 1da” Hernandez and Kris Funn

The Best Halloween Ever (World Premiere)

Field Trips:October 5-30, 2026
Public Performances: October 10 – November 1, 2026
By Jahnna Beecham and Skye Hillgartner
Based on the book by Barbara Robinson
In partnership with Concord Theatricals

A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live On Stage

Field Trip Performances: November 16-December 18, 2026
Public Performances: November 23-December 27, 2026
Based on the television special by Charles M. Schulz
Featuring the music of Vince Guaraldi

Second Florida Children’s Book Festival

February 20, 2027

Pete the Cat’s Big Hollywood Adventure

Field Trip Performances: February 1-26, 2027
Public Performances: February 6 – 28, 2027
Music by Will Aronson
Book and Lyrics by Sarah Hammond
Based on the Pete the Cat books by Kimberly Dean and James Dean

New World Premiere Musical

(Title to Be Announced)
Field Trip Performances: March 1-26, 2027
Public Performances: March 6-28, 2027

Dragons Love Tacos 2: The Mu(Sequel)

Field Trip Performances:  April 5-May 7, 2027
Public Performances: April 10 – May 9, 2027
Based on the book Dragons Love Tacos 2: The Sequel by Adam Rubin
Illustrated by Daniel Salmieri
Script by Cristina Pippa
Music and Lyrics by Sharon Kenny

Youth Academy Presents Disney’s Camp Rock: The Musical
Performances: December 4-6, 2026

Second Florida Children’s Book Festival
February 20, 2027

Youth Academy Presents Trolls The Musical Jr.
Performances: April 30-May 2, 2027

Still to Be Announced

• Theatre for the Very Young Season
• Youth Academy Camps
• Youth Academy Classes & Workshops

For more information about memberships, performances, and upcoming announcements, visit OrlandoFamilyStage.com.

The Orlando Family Stage Centennial

Founded in 1926 as Orlando Little Players, Orlando Family Stage is celebrating 100 years of empowering young people through the transformative power of theatre. Throughout the Centennial, the organization is honoring its rich history while investing in the future through world premiere productions, expanded access initiatives, new educational programs, and community celebrations. The Centennial Celebration is made possible through the generous support of Dr. Phillips Charities, Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation, Orange County Government, University of Central Florida, and our many community partners and supporters.

About Orlando Family Stage

Orlando Family Stage empowers young people to be brave and empathetic by creating quality theatrical experiences. One of the nation’s largest theatres for young audiences, the organization reaches children and families annually through professional productions, arts-based learning programs, youth education, and community initiatives. Based in Loch Haven Park, Orlando Family Stage serves Central Florida while developing new work that is performed by theatres across the United States.

About the University of Central Florida MFA in Theatre for Young Audiences

The University of Central Florida’s MFA in Theatre for Young Audiences is one of the nation’s leading graduate training programs dedicated to creating exceptional theatre for young audiences. In partnership with Orlando Family Stage, the program provides graduate artists with hands-on professional experience while developing the next generation of theatre makers, educators, playwrights, directors, designers, and researchers who serve young people around the world.