10 Summer Theater Shows
What to see live across Northern Michigan in summer 2026
1. Robin Hood: Naught in Nottingham, The MATCH, Traverse City
June 26-July 17 | $15
Student players from Old Town Playhouse’s one-week Spring Break camp present this interpretation of Robin Hood, packed with anachronisms.
oldtownplayhouse.com/youth-learning/performances/robin-hood-theatre-explorers.html
2. Interlochen Shakespeare Festival: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Interlochen Arts Center, Interlochen
July 2-11 | $41
Join this dreamlike journey of Shakespeare under the stars as Interlochen presents this classic Shakespeare comedy at Upton-Morley Pavilion. Lovers, royals, mischievous fairies…what’s not to like?
interlochen.org/concerts-and-events
3. Lakeside Shakespeare Festival: A Midsummer Night’s Dream & Macbeth, Tank Hill, Frankfort
July 23-Aug. 1 | Pay what you can, suggested $30 for adults/ $10 for under-12s
BYO lawn chairs or picnic blanket for this annual summer tradition of Shakespeare outdoors! All performances take place rain or shine, as long as the audience stays. Check the website for which show is on each day.
theworldsastage.org
4. Steel Magnolias, Leelanau School Auditorium, Glen Arbor
July 24-Aug. 2 | $10 suggested donation
This classic play (maybe you’ve seen the movie?) revolves around the lives of strong women in Chinquapin, Louisiana. Presented by Glen Arbor Players, this will be an “off-book” production.
glenarborplayers.org/event/steel-magnolias/
5. The Lightning Thief, Cadillac High School, Cadillac
July 24-Aug. 1 | TBA
Adapted from the best-selling book The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan with an original rock score, this musical by the Cadillac Footliters tells the story of Percy Jackson, a half-blood son of a god who is sent on a quest he didn’t ask for.
cadillacfootliters.com/calendar
6. Annie, Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts, Manistee
July 31-Aug 2 | TBA
Manistee Civic Players brings back this classic adaptation featuring the characters we all know and love (or love to hate): Daddy Warbucks, Miss Hannigan, and, of course, little orphan Annie. Determined to find her parents, Annie finds a wealth of adventures instead!
manisteecivicplayers.org/annie.html
7. West Side Story, Interlochen Arts Center, Interlochen
Aug. 6-9 | $36
Travel back in time to 1950s New York City for this classic musical that details the rivalry between the Jets and the Sharks. This “modern musical masterpiece” is a riff on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.
interlochen.org/concerts-and-events
8. Steel Magnolias, Cheboygan Opera House, Cheboygan
Aug. 28-30 | $10-25
If you missed it earlier in the month in Glen Arbor, head to Cheboygan in late August where you’ll be able to catch up with Annelle, Truvy, Ouiser, Miss Clairee, M’Lynn, and Shelby. Witty repartee frames this tale of loss, and lots of love.
theoperahouse.org
9. Come From Away, Great Lakes Center for the Arts, Petoskey
Sept. 5-12 | Starting at $60
Come From Away is a critically acclaimed musical based on the true story of when 38 planes were diverted to Gander, Newfoundland, on Sept. 11, 2001. This “remarkable true story of when the world came together” is a powerful inspiration of community during tragedy.
greatlakescfa.org/events/detail/come-from-away-1
10. A Sesame Streetcar Named Desire, Traverse City
Sept. 11-13 & 18-19 | The MATCH
This family friendly show (the latest from Mashup Rock & Roll Musical) is a mashup of the famous Tenessee Williams’ play with the beloved children’s television program, exploring the importance of imagination and community as one navigates hard times in life. Each show will feature a different local special guest artist, and puppet workshops will also be on offer. You’ll be sweeping the clouds away with laughter from what promises to be one of the wildest mashups to date!
mashuprockandrollmusical.com
Pictured: A shot from the 2024 Shakespeare Festival at Interlochen. Photo by Edward T. Morris.
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