A Celebration of Community, Connection, and the Power of Coming Together
August 2026 – July 2027
Carlsbad, CA – New Village Arts (NVA) is proud to announce its 25th Anniversary Season: a dynamic lineup of four musicals and one play, that celebrate the communities we build, the families we choose, and the enduring power of human connection. Running from August 2026 through July 2027, Season 25 invites audiences to experience five unforgettable stories from a diversity of perspectives that explore how people come together to thrive amid uncertainty, challenge, and change.
For twenty-five years, New Village Arts has created adventurous artistic experiences to awaken the human spirit. This milestone season continues that legacy with a collection of productions that highlight friendship, resilience, love, and belonging.
“25 years is a milestone all of us at New Village Arts are so proud of. Telling stories that celebrate the diversity of our world in the heart of Carlsbad Village has been an honor. This season, we are going big with stories that recognize the importance of community. The arts are one of the best ways to create a new village: a place where folks can gather to experience things outside of their own lived experiences. New Village Arts looks forward to welcoming everyone to this exciting season.” – Kristianne Kurner, Founder and Executive Artistic Director
Season 25 kicks off with the electrifying global hit WE WILL ROCK YOU, a story by Ben Elton and featuring more than 20 iconic Queen songs, including “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “We Are the Champions,” and “We Will Rock You.” Set in a future where music and individuality have been suppressed, young revolutionaries will embark on a mission to restore the power of rock ‘n’ roll. WE WILL ROCK YOU will run August 7 – September 20, 2026.
Named one of The New York Times’ Best Shows of 2017, this enchanting musical adaptation of Shakespeare’s beloved comedy AS YOU LIKE IT, adapted by Shaina Taub and Laurie Woolery, features an original folk-pop score by Taub. The story follows Rosalind as she escapes to the Forest of Arden where disguises, romance, and self-discovery intertwine. Directed by Kristianne Kurner, the production marks a return to New Village Arts’ roots:
AS YOU LIKE IT was featured in the company’s inaugural season, making this its third staging in NVA’s 25-year history. AS YOU LIKE IT will run October 16 – November 29, 2026.
Ringing in the new year, we will say “Willkommen, bienvenue, welcome!” to one of the most celebrated musicals of all time: Kander & Ebb’s CABARET. Audiences will be transported to the Kit Kat Club, a vibrant Berlin nightclub as the rise of the Third Reich threatens the freedoms and relationships of those who call it home. Daring, provocative, and deeply relevant, this classic explores the bonds we create in uncertain times. CABARET will run January 29 – March 14, 2027.
With our 25th Anniversary Season, we are thrilled to announce THE AUDACIOUS INITIATIVE, a new donor-funded program that directly supports the bold, adventurous work New Village Arts is proud to produce. The Audacious Initiative’s inaugural production will be FURLOUGH’S PARADISE, a poetic and powerful play by a.k. payne, that follows cousins Sade and Mina as they reunite in their childhood hometown following a family loss. Through grief, memory, and reconciliation, they explore questions of home, kinship, and the dream of a better future. Kali Boston, Artistic Producer (and director of NVA’s current production of HAIRSPRAY), will direct the production. FURLOUGH’S PARADISE will run April 9 – May 9, 2027.
Closing the season is Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Tony Award-winning musical celebration of life in New York City’s Washington Heights. Bursting with unforgettable music and heart, IN THE HEIGHTS tells the story of a neighborhood bound together by hope, ambition, and a shared sense of belonging. Dea Hurston Fellow and Co-Founder of San Diego’s TuYo Theatre Maria Patrice Amon will return to NVA to bring this story to life. She last directed Matt & Ben. IN THE HEIGHTS will run June 4 – July 18, 2027.
Four- and five-show subscriptions for Season 25 are available now, with single tickets going on sale for WE WILL ROCK YOU on July 1st. Subscribers receive early access to preferred seating, unlimited ticket exchanges, invitations to exclusive subscriber events, and priority renewal opportunities for the 2027–2028 season.
NEW VILLAGE ARTS 25th SEASON 2026-2027
We Will Rock You
Music and Lyrics by Queen – Story and Script by Ben Elton
Previews: August 7 – 14, 2026
Opening Night: August 15, 2026
Dea Hurston Industry Night: August 31, 2026
August 7 – September 20, 2026
We Will Rock You is presented through special arrangement with and all authorized performance materials are supplied by Theatrical Rights Worldwide 1180 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 640, New York, NY 10036. www.theatricalrights.com
As You Like It
A Musical Adaptation of William Shakespeare’s AS YOU LIKE IT
Adapted by Shaina Taub and Laurie Woolery
Music and Lyrics by Shaina Taub
Directed by Kristianne Kurner, Founder & Executive Artistic Director
Previews: October 16-23, 2026
Opening Night: October 24, 2026
Dea Hurston Industry Night: November 9, 2026
October 16 – November 29, 2026
AS YOU LIKE IT is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals. www.concordtheatricals.com
Cabaret
Book by Joe Masteroff
Based on the play by John Van Druten and stories by Christopher Isherwood
Music by John Kander
Lyrics by Fred Ebb
Previews: January 29 – February 5, 2027
Opening Night: February 6, 2027
Dea Hurston Industry Night: February 22, 2027
January 29 – March 14, 2027
CABARET is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Tams-Witmark LLC. www.concordtheatricals.com
Furlough’s Paradise
Book by a.k. payne
Directed by Kali Boston, Artistic Producer
Previews: April 9-16, 2027
Opening Night: April 17, 2027
Dea Hurston Industry Night: May 3, 2027
April 9 – May 9, 2027
FURLOUGH’S PARADISE is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com
In the Heights
Music & Lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda
Book by Quiara Alegria Hudes
Conceived by Lin-Manuel Miranda
Directed by Maria Patrice Amon
Previews: June 4-11, 2027
Opening Night: June 12, 2027
Dea Hurston Industry Night: June 28, 2027
June 4 – July 18, 2027
IN THE HEIGHTS is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals. www.concordtheatricals.com
Performance Days and Times
Friday, Saturday and Sunday Matinees at 2:00pm
Thursday, Friday and Saturday Evenings at 7:30pm
Tickets and Subscriptions
Subscriptions for the season range from $157 to $342, with 4, and 5-Show Subscriptions available. Subscriptions go on sale June 15th. Single tickets will range from $40 to $75 for plays and $45 to $85 for musicals. Single tickets will go on sale soon.
About New Village Arts Celebrating 25 years of award-winning professional theatre and thriving education and outreach programs, New Village Arts (NVA) has truly become the cultural hub of North County San Diego. NVA attracts more than 30,000 patrons each year to experience professional theatre, music and art events in the heart of Carlsbad Village. In addition to full seasons of plays and musicals featuring some of the best artistic talent in Southern California, NVA hosts talkback discussions and other supplementary events designed to create conversation and cultivate community. The White Family Next Stage in the Dea Hurston New Village Arts Center presents a series of music, comedy, and improv events throughout the year. NVA offers robust theatre programs in partnership with local schools and strongly believes that theatre and arts experiences should be accessible to all people, becoming a recognized leader in equity, diversity, and inclusion in San Diego. NVA has been fortunate to receive support from the City of Carlsbad and other local businesses, who recognize the importance of a resident professional theatre company as a crucial component of an inclusive and creative community. In turn NVA prioritizes serving its community by presenting works that respect its diversity, engaging every citizen with relevant and inspiring stories
.New Village Arts, Inc.
2787 State Street, Carlsbad, CA 92008
760-433-3245
www.newvillagearts.org
