Alright Columbus, it’s time to emotionally prepare… because Broadway season is back and it’s kind of a big one.
The 2026-2027 lineup for PNC Broadway in Columbus just dropped, and I already know at least one of these shows is going to completely wreck my schedule.
Actually, multiple shows. Let’s be honest.
First things first.
Phantom is coming back.
Yes, The Phantom of the Opera is returning to Columbus in May 2027 and I feel like that alone is enough to send a good portion of this city into a spiral.
If you’ve never seen Phantom live, this is your moment. If you have seen it, you already know you’re going again. There’s really no in-between here.
Now that we’ve addressed the dramatic masked elephant in the room, let’s talk about the rest of the season, because it’s stacked in a very “how am I supposed to pick?” kind of way.
There are FIVE Columbus premieres this season.
The one everyone’s going to be talking about is Maybe Happy Ending, which just casually won the Tony for Best Musical. No big deal. It’s supposed to be emotional, a little quirky, and the kind of show that sneaks up on you.
And then there’s Hell’s Kitchen, created by Alicia Keys, which means you’ll probably spend at least part of the show thinking, “wait, I know this song.”
Also on the “new to Columbus” list:
- Death Becomes Her, which is based on that chaotic, iconic movie
- Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical, which is somehow about a WWII spy mission and also a comedy?
- The Great Gatsby, for when you’re in the mood for jazz, drama, and poor decision-making
And yes, the classics are here too.
Beauty and the Beast is coming back to the stage, which means you will, at some point, catch yourself humming “Be Our Guest” in the car like it’s 1998 again.
No judgment. We’re all doing it.
Now let’s talk bonus shows, because they’re kind of stacked.
Not part of the main package, but absolutely worth your attention:
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical is back for the holidays
- Beetlejuice is returning, which is always a little chaotic in the best way
- And Wicked is… also back, because at this point I’m convinced it just refuses to stay away from Columbus
So what’s the damage?
The season runs from October 2026 through June 2027, mostly at the Ohio Theatre.
Subscriptions are available now for current ticket holders, and if you’re not one of them, you can jump in starting June 3. Prices for the full seven-show package range from about $357 to a little over $1,100 depending on where you want to sit. You can get all the info about tickets over at capa.com.
Final thoughts.
I’m not saying you need to plan your entire year around this.
But I am saying that between Phantom, a Tony-winning musical, and Alicia Keys entering the chat, your calendar is about to fill up whether you like it or not.
