If you love musicals, Lyric Stage is the place for you. For its 2025-2026 season, the Dallas-based theater company dedicated to the development and preservation of musicals is slated to produce five musical events.
“We wanted to program shows that fit our purpose, but also, we felt would please the patrons,” said Scott Guenther, Lyric Stage’s Managing & Co-Artistic Director. “We pick our shows by working with our directors and music directors. They submit their favorites and then we work out a season that fits our company.”
Lyric Stage
Lyric Stage Bruce Greer, the show’s music director, rehearses with the cast of Guys and Dolls.
Before Lyric Stage begins its new season, the current season ends with Guys and Dolls, a collaboration with Turtle Creek Chorale. The musical is based on a story and characters of Damon Runyon, lyrics by Frank Loesser, and book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows. This production features a 140+ person cast and chorus, a large orchestra and the Grammy-nominated Stockton Helbing Band. It runs one weekend only, August 15 – 17, at the Moody Performance Hall in the Dallas Arts District.
“We invite you to see Guys and Dolls, a true American classic, directed by Michael Serrecchia and music directed by Bruce Greer. We have many wonderfully talented performers and musicians who will make this show one not to be missed,” Guenther said.
The new season begins with The Rocky Horror Picture Show, running October 10-26 at Lyric Stage Studio. In this cult classic with music, lyrics and book by Richard O’Brien, sweethearts Brad and Janet, stuck with a flat tire during a storm, discover the eerie mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter. As their innocence is lost, Brad and Janet meet a houseful of wild characters, including a rocking biker and a creepy butler. Through elaborate dances and rock songs, Frank-N-Furter unveils his latest creation: a muscular man named “Rocky.” This 25th anniversary revival is complete with sass from the audience, cascading toilet paper, and an array of other audience participation props.
“We produced this show a couple years ago, and it sold great. It will pull in both younger and middle-aged audiences, but that said, some of our older patrons are very excited to see the show too,” Guenther said.
The theater will celebrate the holidays with an audience favorite, Forever Plaid – Plaid Tidings by Stuart Ross from December 5 to December 21 at Lyric Stage Studio. At first, Francis, Jinx, Smudge and Sparky aren’t sure why they’ve returned to Earth for another posthumous performance, but a phone call from the heavenly Rosemary Clooney lets them know that they’re needed to put a little harmony into a discordant world. Sprinkled among the Christmas offerings are audience favorites, like their riotous three-minute-and-eleven-second version of The Ed Sullivan Show – this time, featuring the Rockettes, the Chipmunks and The Vienna Boys Choir, as well as a Plaid Caribbean Christmas that puts the “Day-O” in Excelsis.
“Plaid Tidings is a lighthearted and fun family holiday show; I think that is the appeal. We all love to see A Christmas Carol, but it’s a heavy and dark show, and some of us don’t need more darkness at the holidays. We are also hoping this might become a tradition,” Guenther said.
The third show of the season is Dallas Divas, a distinctive Dallas musical experience on February 11 at Moody Performance Hall in the Dallas Arts District. Showcasing some of the most talented voices in Dallas, this performance is a Lyric Stage tradition featuring Dallas Divas singing songs ranging from Broadway to pop. There might even be a few surprise guests who are not Divas on stage.
“Lyric has produced these concerts many times over the years. They are great way to showcase local talent from a variety of shows without producing the entire musical. Audiences love a good cabaret show,” Guenther said.
Kris Ikejiri
Kris Ikejiri Lyric Stage produced Jekyll and Hyde last season.
Spring brings Sweet Charity to Lyric Stage Studio, running April 17 – May 3. Inspired by Federico Fellini’s Night of Cabiria, Sweet Charity explores the turbulent love life of Charity Hope Valentine, a hopelessly romantic but comically unfortunate dance hall hostess in New York City. With a tuneful, groovy, mid-1960s score by Cy Coleman, sparkling lyrics by Dorothy Fields, and a hilarious book by Neil Simon, Sweet Charity captures all the energy, humor and heartbreak of Life in the Big City for an unfortunate but irrepressible optimist. The production includes the original 1966 Broadway version of Sweet Charity: “Big Spender,” “If My Friends Could See Me Now,” “I’m a Brass Band,” and “Baby, Dream Your Dream.”
The season concludes with Little Women, running July 17 – August 2 at Lyric Stage Studio. This timeless, captivating story is brought to life in this glorious musical by Alan Knee, Mindi Dickstein, and Jason Howland filled with personal discovery, heartache, hope and everlasting love. Based on Louisa May Alcott’s life, Little Women follows the adventures of sisters Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy March. Jo is trying to sell her stories for publication, but the publishers are not interested. Her friend, Professor Bhaer, tells her that she has to do better and write more from herself. Begrudgingly taking this advice, Jo weaves the story of herself and her sisters and their experience growing up in Civil War America.
The final two musicals have women at the heart of their stories.
“Both stories are about powerful women that make their way through the trials of life and come out on top. Charity is a great story and a real classic. Little Women is one of my favorite musicals personally. It has an uplifting and fun story with a beautiful score. If you didn’t know it was not a golden age musical, you might think it was one,” Guenther said.
It’s a season that will put a song in your heart.
“This season is full but obtainable. We are excited to do work we think the patrons will truly love.,” Guenther said.
Learn more: Lyric Stage
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