Two River Theater Unveils Show Lineup For 2026-27 Season

RED BANK, NJ — Two River Theater has unveiled the shows included in their 2026-27 season, ranging from a powerful American classic to an intimate new comedy, two world premieres and a new musical.

To open the season, attendees will be able to see August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning “The Piano Lesson,” in which the Charles family fights over the fate of their prized heirloom.

Next up is the emotional comedy “Stir,” which follows two siblings reconnecting from across the country to cook a beloved family recipe.

For the third production of the season, a legend comes alive in the Broadway-aimed “Loch Ness,” with “breathtaking visuals and haunting music” described as hallmarks of this world premiere musical.

Lastly, the season concludes with “Trip Around the Sun,” a riotous and bittersweet world premiere from one of America’s most promising playwrights, following the big night before long-married retirees depart their Jimmy Buffett-themed retirement community for a birthday cruise.

In addition to these four shows, the 2026-27 season will also include the return of a fan favorite education program, A Little Shakespeare, with “The Two Gentlemen of Verona.”

"Daffodils are poking up, spring is almost sprung, and as the world outside begins anew, Two River is thrilled to share our 2026–27 Season with you,” Artistic Director Justin Waldman said.

“From our eighth production in August Wilson’s The American Century Cycle, The Piano Lesson, to Stir, the eighth play to emerge from our Crossing Borders (Cruzando Fronteras) Festival; from the 14th year of A Little Shakespeare with The Two Gentlemen of Verona, to two major World Premieres, Loch Ness: A New Musical and Trip Around the Sun, there is a bounty of world-class storytelling in store for you.”

“Like the greening earth around us, there is so much beauty on display. We hope to nourish your soul with classics, let humanity flourish through new stories, and provide a feast for all your senses with music, aerialists, puppetry, and even black beans,” Waldman continued. “We invite everyone in Monmouth County and beyond to gather with us and share in the joy.”

Details for Two River Theater’s 2026-27 season are as follows:

August Wilson’s “The Piano Lesson”

• Sept. 12 through Oct. 4, 2026
• Directed by Francois Battiste
• August Wilson’s epic The Piano Lesson pits brother against sister as the Charles family fights over the fate of their prized heirloom—a hand-carved piano. One wants to get rich off its sale, the other will do anything to keep it in the family. In this Pulitzer Prize-winner, the ghosts of the past battle against the promise of the future.

STIR

• Oct. 31 through Nov. 22, 2026
• EAST COAST PREMIERE
  • Written by Melinda Lopez & Joel Perez
  • Directed by Eddie Torres
• Join us in the kitchen as two siblings piece together their mother’s beloved black bean recipe. Secrets simmer and memories are on the menu as they reconnect from across the country. Stir is a fork-tender comedy that will excite your taste buds and leave you hungry for more.

Loch Ness: A New Musical

• March 10 through April 4, 2027
• WORLD PREMIERE
  • Music by Marshall Paile
  • Lyrics by A.D. Pened
  • Book by Sandy Rusti
  • Choreography by Misha Shield
  • Directed by Marshall Pailet

• Awaken the myth of Loch Ness, a spellbinding World Premiere musical that weaves adventure and fantasy into an unforgettable journey that will take your breath away. Follow Haley, a spirited Scottish girl as she dives into the misty waters searching for truth and connection. Dazzling visuals swirl and a vibrant score soars, when the legend comes alive!

Trip Around The Sun

• June 5 through June 27, 2027
• WORLD PREMIERE
  • Written by Jake Brasch
  • Directed by Shelley Butler
• Life is good for Phil and Suze in their Florida retirement community. They fill their days with virgin margaritas and Jimmy Buffett karaoke. But the night before Suze’s big birthday cruise, Phil decides to shake things up one last time. Trip Around the Sun is a hilarious and bittersweet World Premiere by one of America’s most promising playwrights.

A Little Shakespeare: The Two Gentlemen Of Verona

• May 1 through May 8, 2027
• Written by William Shakespeare
• Adapted and Directed by Illana Stein
• Best friends forever, Proteus and Valentine, think they’ve got it made until they both fall in love with the same person. Uh-oh. Mistaken identities, foolish suitors, outlandish outlaws, and one crabby dog run wild in the Bard’s first romantic comedy. Now in its 14th year, A Little Shakespeare immerses young artists in the playwright’s work through an adaptation directed and designed by professional artists and performed and supported backstage by high school students.

To learn more about Two River Theater, purchase tickets, or purchase a 2026-27 season subscription, you can visit their website.

Two River Theater is located at 21 Bridge Avenue, Red Bank.