There are multiple theater productions on stage across Oʻahu this summer and fall. Here are some of the ones currently in session or coming up soon.
Hawaiʻi Shakespeare Festival (July and August). Ready to hear some Shakespeare? Works of William Shakespeare will take stages across Oʻahu as part of the Hawaiʻi Shakespeare Festival, which will consist of two productions: “The Winter’s Tale,” directed by Brando Cutts, which runs July 17 through 26, at Kumu Kahua Theatre, and “Julius Caesar,” directed by Alex Munro, which runs July 31 through Aug. 9, at Mānoa Valley Theatre. General admission is $25 for most shows. “Julius Caesar” will offer $15 tickets for shows on Wednesday and Thursday. Details.
“Clyde’s” (July 16 – 26). This show tells the story of a truck stop sandwich stop which offers its formerly incarcerated staff a shot at redemption. The play was written by Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage and has been nominated for four Tony Awards. The production will be on stage at Mānoa Valley Theatre. Tickets start at $25. Other productions heading for Mānoa Valley Theatre include “Jagged Little Pill,” which opens Sept. 10, “Peter Pan Goes Wrong,” which opens Nov. 12, “Purpose,” which opens Jan. 21, “The Producers,” which opens March 18, “Folks You Meet in Longs,” which opens May 13, “Shakespeare in Love, The Play,” which opens July 15, 2027, and “Once Upon One Kapakahi Time,” which opens June 24, 2027. Details.
“The Coming of Hiʻiaka” (July 22). The legendary story of Hiʻiaka is coming to the stage, and attendees of day three of the Native Hawaiian Convention can get an inside look at the production from Amy Hānaialiʻi, Michael Jackowitz, Moses Goods, Roslyn Catracchia, Manaola Yap, and Kūhiō Lewis. Details.
“Les Misérables” (July 24- Aug. 23). This classic musical, based on Victor Hugo’s novel, tells the story of Jean Valjean, who agrees to care for a factory worker’s daughter. The musical is heading to the stage at Diamond Head Theatre. Many performances are already soldout, but new shows have been added on Aug. 22 and Aug. 23. Limited tickets are available. Diamond Head Theatre's upcoming season includes: “Fiddler on the Roof,” which opens Sept. 25, “Dr. Suess’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical,” which opens Nov. 20, “Into the Woods,” which opens Jan. 22, “Suffs,” which opens March 12, “Pirates! The Penzance Musical,” which opens May 21, and “Hairspray, The Broadway Musical,” which opens July 23, 2026. Details.
“The Queen’s Will” (Aug. 20 – Sept. 20). In the early days of the Territory of Hawai‘i, Princess Theresa Owana Ka‘ōhelelani La‘anui Wilcox Belliveau was accused of conspiracy to commit forgery of the last will and testament of Queen Lili‘uokalani. In this story, she fights for her freedom and identity. “The Queen’s Will” runs Aug. 20 through Sept. 20 at Kumu Kahua Theatre. This is the first show in Kumu Kahua Theater's 56th season. Other productions in this season include “Kupua,” which opens Oct. 29, “All Buss Up in a HI State: A Trilogy of Hawai‘i Plays,” which opens Jan. 21, “Murder Finds a Medium,” which opens March 25, and “Grumpy Old Futz,” which opens May 27. Tickets for “The Queen’s Will” are $28 for general admission, with discounts for students, kūpuna, and large group orders. Details.
“The Hobbit” (Aug. 21 – Sept. 6). The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa's Theatre for Young Audiences program will hold productions of “The Hobbit,” which tells the story of Bilbo Baggins. Greg Banks’ stage adaptation of “The Hobbit or There and Back Again,” which was written by J.R.R. Tolkien, is the prelude to the beloved “Lord of the Rings” trilogy. The story is brought to life by five actors and includes dragons, dwarves, goblins and epic landscapes. This limited-run production will be presented in the Earle Ernst Lab Theatre at the Kennedy Theatre from Aug. 21 through Sept. 6. This year marks the 55th year of Theatre for Young Audiences and in honor of the milestone, all proceeds from the show will go toward a newly established University of Hawaiʻi Foundation account that is dedicated to sustaining the program for future generations. Tickets are $15. Details.
“Book Two Trains Running” (Aut. 21 – Sept. 6). This story takes place in the ’60s, during a decade of assassinations and Black Power. It explores Memphis Lee’s coffee shop in Pittsburgh’s Hill District and all the people who hang out there. “Book Two Trains Running” was written by August Wilson and will be directed by Marc Cooper at The Actors’ Group at The Brad Powell Theatre. It is the first of six shows in the 2026-2027 season for The Actors’ Group. The upcoming season for this group includes the Hawaiʻi premiere of “Eureka Day,” which opens Oct. 23, “Anatomy of a Murder,” which opens Jan. 8, and “Tiger Style,” which opens March 5. “Jitney,” which opens May 7, and “Neil Simon’s Rumors,” which opens July 9, 2027, are also in this season of shows. General admission is about $33, with discounts for kūpuna and students. Details.
“A Timeless Princess” (Oct. 16 +). This original Hawaiʻi musical premieres Oct. 16 at the Royal Hawaiian Theater in Waikīkī. The story follows a present day Marine who goes back in time to 1898, as a sovereign kingdom fights for survival. This fictional story rooted in history is set to premiere on Oct. 16, the birthdate of Princess Kaʻiulani, whose legacy inspired the musical. Shows are at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, or 7:30 p.m. on Monday. Regular admission is $95 for adults and $75 for keiki. Kamaʻāina tickets are $65. Details.
“The Book of Mormon” (Nov. 25+). The musical, which won nine Tony Awards, is returning to Honolulu after more than a decade-long break from the Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall. “The Book of Mormon” will be on stage from Wednesday, Nov. 25 through Sunday, Dec. 6. The musical follows the adventures of mismatched missionaries who are sent halfway across the world to spread the word of God. The musical is one of two Broadway in Hawaiʻi productions set to have performances soon at the Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall. Season tickets for the shows start at $137. Details.
Do you know of an upcoming production not on this list? Email katie@alohastatedaily.com.
Katie Helland can be reached at katie@alohastatedaily.com.
