YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Youngstown Playhouse’s 2026-27 season will include “In the Heights,” “The Wizard of Oz” and other plays and musicals that reflect a theme of finding one’s home.

The theater has even given its season a theme – No Place Like Home – that mirrors its goal of being the place that brings people together.

The upcoming shows will explore themes of community, love, revenge, family, imagination and more, said Tyler Stouffer, executive director of the Playhouse.

“I was very inspired by the fact that our three Main Stage musicals [“In the Heights,” “Disney’s The Lion King” and “The Wizard of Oz”] all share a theme of finding and defining home,” Stouffer said.

“We also want to remind every person in our community that they have a home here at the Playhouse, and we are excited to welcome them back home every time they walk through our doors.”

In a letter to patrons, John Cox, who is the president of the theater’s board of directors, said, “There’s a reason the phrase ‘No Place Like Home’ tugs at our heartstrings. It’s where stories feel closest, laughter rings louder, and every seat holds a neighbor. This season, our stage becomes your living room, filled with unforgettable performances that will bring us together in the best ways.”

The season will begin with “In the Heights,” with shows on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from Aug. 28-Sept. 6 on the Main Stage.

This Broadway hit features music, lyrics and book by Lin-Manuel Miranda (“Hamilton,” “Disney’s Moana”) and Quiara Alegría Hudes. It will be directed by Caitlyn N. Santiago and choreographed by Amber Ardolino.

Here is a look at the rest of the season:

  • “The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon” (one act), Oct. 2-4 on the Main Stage. This farce will be directed by Shiloh Hart.
  • “Chicken & Biscuits” by Douglas Lyons, directed by Lundeana Thomas, Nov. 20-29 at the Playhouse Downtown.
  • “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” a musical comedy directed by Connor Bezeredi, Jan. 22-31 at the Playhouse Downtown.
  • “Disney’s The Lion King Jr.,” a youth troupe production by Sindy Hanna, on the Main Stage Feb. 19-21.
  • “The Father: A Tragic Farce,” a psychological drama written by Florian Zeller and the basis of a 2020 film of the same title. Directed by Frank Martin, it will be performed April 16-25 and will be the Playhouse’s only show in the Moyer Room for the season.
  • “The Wizard of Oz,” based on the classic motion picture, will be performed May 21-30 on the Main Stage. It will be directed by Stouffer, who has helmed the theater’s recent productions of “Oklahoma!” and “Singin’ in the Rain.”
  • “She Kills Monsters,” the inaugural show of the Playhouse’s new YP Teens program, will close the season, with performances June 18-20 at the Playhouse Downtown. The play will be directed by Isa Foltz.

The YP Teens program is part of the Youngstown Playhouse Youth Theatre program, which bridges the educational gap between youth productions and adult productions.

“We found that the teenagers involved in the youth program were hungry to delve into more mature and sophisticated material,” Stouffer said.

The program serves students ages 13 to 19 and will include classes and workshops. It will also feature drama club nights, in which students and faculty from the drama programs of local high schools will be invited to see a special performance. The nights will include a Q&A session with the cast and crew. 

The Playhouse will soon announce a new membership program that includes ticket packages. Sales will begin May 29.

Tickets to single shows will go on sale six weeks before opening night and can be purchased at the DeYor box office, downtown; by phone at 330 259 9651; and at  YoungstownPlayhouse.org.

Performances start at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. on Sundays.

Also on Playhouse stages in 2026-27 will be productions by Rust Belt Theater Company and Millennial Theater Company.

The Playhouse will be the home of Rust Belt’s entire season, which will include “Forbidden Youngstown!” (July 24-25 in the Moyer Room); “Godiva: a Burlesque Musical” (Sept. 11-20 at the Playhouse Downtown); “How the Drag Queen Stole Christmas” (Dec. 4-20 in the Moyer Room); and “Dating Sucks! The Musical” (Feb. 5-14 in the Moyer Room). 

Millennial Theater Company will present “Dear Evan Hansen” (July 10-19) and “Come From Away” (Nov. 6-15) on the Main Stage.