Three Stories for the Moment We’re Living In
When I’m selecting a season for SBMT, I’m weighing various factors such as the size of the show, the budget needed to put it on at the level of excellent theater our audiences have come to expect, the availability of the talent to design, create, and perform the show in question, as well as the always important question of what do audiences want/need to see on our stage? But above all, I’m asking a bigger question: What stories do we need to tell right now? What will entertain us, challenge us, comfort us, and remind us why gathering together in a theater still matters?
I believe our 2026–2027 season answers those questions beautifully.
Every season should offer variety, but it should also have a heartbeat. This year’s heartbeat is hope.
We begin with Once Upon a Mattress, one of the funniest and most delightful musicals ever written. On its surface, it’s a playful grownup retelling of The Princess and the Pea, complete with outrageous characters, clever humor, and just enough mischievous wit to keep adults laughing as hard as everyone else. Beneath the comedy, though, is a story about authenticity, courage, and refusing to fit someone else’s idea of who you should be. At a time when the world can feel increasingly complicated, opening our season with laughter feels exactly right.
Our winter production, Come From Away, tells a very different story, but one that feels equally essential. In the days following the events of September 11, 2001, nearly 7,000 airline passengers found themselves unexpectedly stranded in the small town of Gander, Newfoundland. What followed wasn’t simply a story about tragedy—it became a story about extraordinary generosity, kindness, and the remarkable things ordinary people are capable of when they choose compassion over fear. It has earned every one of its accolades because audiences leave the theater reminded that even during our darkest moments, humanity has an astonishing capacity for goodness. I can’t imagine a more meaningful story to share with our community.
We conclude the season with one of the towering masterpieces of American musical theatre: Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific. It has been more than twenty-five years since this remarkable musical has appeared on our stage, and I believe the time has come to welcome it back. Its unforgettable score has become part of the American musical canon. Still, its enduring power lies in its willingness to confront prejudice and challenge audiences to examine the beliefs we inherit. Decades after its premiere, its themes remain strikingly relevant, proving that great musicals don’t simply survive the passage of time—they continue to speak to new generations.
It’s a season that covers the globe, offering joy, inspiration, and reflection. It celebrates laughter, honors compassion, and reminds us that love and understanding are choices we make every day. I believe these are exactly the kinds of stories our audiences—and perhaps all of us—need right now.
I hope you’ll join me for every step of our journey this coming season. The best way to experience our productions is as a subscriber, allowing you to enjoy all three musicals while supporting the work that South Bay Musical Theater brings to our community. Whether you’ve been with us for years or are considering your first visit, I can’t wait to share these remarkable stories with you. I truly believe our 2026–2027 season is one you’ll remember long after the curtain falls.
Season subscriptions are available now, and I encourage you to reserve your seats today. We’d love to welcome you as we share three evenings of equal parts joyous laughter and profound inspiration—both of which are emotionally amplified because we experienced them together.
— Walter M. Mayes, Artistic Director
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