Memphis Local, Sports, Business & Food News | Daily Memphian | Arts & Culture - Performing Arts

Drama, comedy and a rock-opera open across Memphis

adrake@dailymemphian.com (Alys Drake) — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 10:08:17 -0500

A popular and controversial rock opera about Jesus’ final week, a satire about theater egos and getting sardines or a look into the criminal underworld of mobs? Take your pick of what’s showing on theater stages across Memphis.

The AM/DM podcast: The joys of a very full weekend

mcashiola@dailymemphian.com (Mary Cashiola) — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 06:24:06 -0500

This weekend includes a rock opera, roller derby, Shelby Forest Spring Fest, a rescheduled vegan block party and a Lego convention. Plus a Friends of the Library book sale and a yard sale.

Dance company brings ballet down to Beale

hwhitfield@dailymemphian.com (Holly Whitfield) — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 09:40:51 -0500

Ashley Hannah Davis considered retiring from dance in 2021. But Machine Gun Kelly, the Prohibition-era gangster born (and later arrested) in Memphis, helped changed her mind — or at least his wife and partner-in-crime Kathryn Kelly did.

Nominees announced for Orpheum’s 17th annual High School Musical Theatre Awards

adrake@dailymemphian.com (Alys Drake) — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 06:22:43 -0500

The ceremony will take place Thursday, May 21, at 7 p.m. at the Orpheum Theatre.

How a Memphis comedy festival is cracking jokes and fighting for respect

jmalone@dailymemphian.com (Joi Malone) — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 14:54:02 -0500

More than 20 comedians, both local and from across the U.S., will hit the stage to tell jokes during the three-day event, now in its third year.

Concerts in the Grove return to Germantown with new spring lineup

eperry@dailymemphian.com (Elle Perry) — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 19:36:01 -0500

Singer-songwriter and bassist Mark Edgar Stuart opens the spring series on May 7.

How Ballet Memphis finds 'unique points of connection' with audiences

barnes@dailymemphian.com (Eric Barnes) — Thu, 9 Apr 2026 13:58:29 -0500

Ballet Memphis’ executive director Adam Goldberg joins Eric Barnes on this week’s episode of “The Sidebar.”

'Good Things' coming to the Buckman, starting with the BoDeans

eperry@dailymemphian.com (Elle Perry) — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 13:01:35 -0500

Peking Acrobats, Urban Bush Women, an “America’s Got Talent” semifinalist puppet show and Caroline Rhea: What’s on the Buckman stage this season?

GPAC’s latest season includes Mavis Staples, Second City, Samara Joy

eperry@dailymemphian.com (Elle Perry) — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 21:18:09 -0500

The season includes actor/singer Darren Criss, saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin, trumpeter and composer Terence Blanchard, and fiddle duo Carter and Cleveland.

Five musicals, two Broadway plays, one new Orpheum season

adrake@dailymemphian.com (Alys Drake) — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 11:00:35 -0500

What’s coming to the Orpheum? Here’s a “Clue.” Hogwarts magic, Boop!, a Tony-winning show about a Grammy-winning artist and much more.

DeLorean time travels to Memphis Orpheum

adrake@dailymemphian.com (Alys Drake) — Tue, 3 Mar 2026 18:28:29 -0600

Also, “Seussical” returns to Circuit Playhouse, dedicated to a beloved actor.

‘Mean Girls' launches 2026-27 season at Playhouse on the Square

adrake@dailymemphian.com (Alys Drake) — Tue, 3 Mar 2026 20:46:46 -0600

“Ain’t Too Proud” and “Les Miserables” are two more shows coming to Playhouse on the Square next season.

Familiar favorites take Memphis stages in February

adrake@dailymemphian.com (Alys Drake) — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 15:21:32 -0600

From Shakespeare to show tunes, February theater has something for everyone.

Classics anchor Theatre Memphis’ next season

adrake@dailymemphian.com (Alys Drake) — Sun, 15 Feb 2026 16:09:12 -0600

Theatre Memphis’ 2026-2027 season lineup features some favorites — familiar and new.

Hattiloo to host international Black theater festival

eperry@dailymemphian.com (Elle Perry) — Mon, 9 Feb 2026 19:07:21 -0600

Hattiloo Theatre will bring Black theater companies from Norway, Nigeria and South Africa to Memphis for two-week residencies.

Snow won’t stop the show: Memphis theaters push through the winter freeze

adrake@dailymemphian.com (Alys Drake) — Fri, 6 Feb 2026 11:24:23 -0600

Memphis productions adjust to winter’s disruptions.

Twenty years after 'Hustle & Flow,' Craig Brewer directs another Oscar-nominated performance

cherrington@dailymemphian.com (Chris Herrington) — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 14:09:05 -0600

When Oscar nominations were announced Thursday, Jan. 22, one relative surprise was a Best Actress nomination for Kate Hudson, who plays Milwaukee tribute singer Claire Sardina in “Song Sung Blue.”

Dance to 1990s country hits, and then party like it's 2026 — because it will be

bphillips@dailymemphian.com (Bianca Phillips) — Wed, 24 Dec 2025 11:55:55 -0600

This week, paint and sip at the Rumba Room, laugh at Flyway Comedy Club and listen to Alex Chilton’s hits at Memphis Listening Lab.

Von Trapp bringing 'The Sound of Music' and more to BPACC

mwaddell@dailymemphian.com (Michael Waddell) — Sat, 22 Nov 2025 09:44:08 -0600

A descendant of the von Trapp family will perform Saturday night at the Bartlett Performing Arts and Conference Center, including songs from “The Sound of Music.”

The AM/DM podcast: Surreal events for a super weekend

mcashiola@dailymemphian.com (Mary Cashiola) — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 06:36:25 -0600

Are you ready to get a little bit wacky? Then this weekend’s events are for you.