Passing Strange, Real Women Have Curves Set for 2026-27 Pasadena Playhouse Season

Pasadena Playhouse has announced its 2026-27 season.

The season will kick off September 9-October 4 with The Visit, adapted by Maurice Valency from Dürrenmatt’s classic dark comedy and directed by Darko Tresnjak. Jefferson Mays stars as part of a reunion with Tresnjak following their acclaimed collaboration on Amadeus. The story follows a wealthy woman returning to her impoverished hometown with a morally devastating proposition for its residents.

Next up is Passing Strange, running November 4-29, marking the Tony-winning musical’s first-ever Los Angeles production nearly 20 years after its premiere. Featuring a book and lyrics by Stew, music by Stew and Heidi Rodewald, and created in collaboration with Annie Dorsen, the coming-of-age rock musical will be directed by Zhailon Levingston, recently Tony-nominated for Cats: The Jellicle Ball. The musical traces a young artist’s journey from South Central Los Angeles to Europe in search of identity and artistic freedom.

In spring 2027, the Playhouse will present Real Women Have Curves: The Musical from April 14-May 16. Based on the play by Josefina López and the HBO film screenplay by López and George LaVoo, the musical features music and lyrics by Joy Huerta and Benjamin Velez, with a book by Lisa Loomer and Nell Benjamin. Set in 1987 Boyle Heights, the musical centers on Ana Garcia as she balances personal ambition with family obligations and community ties.

The season continues June 16-July 11, 2027 with Tennessee Williams’s Pulitzer Prize-winning Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, directed by Jessica Kubzansky. Molina returns to Pasadena Playhouse to take on the role of Big Daddy following previous appearances in The Father and Inherit the Wind.

Pasadena Playhouse also teased one additional production to be announced at a later date.