Arena Stage Announces 2026 Military Appreciation Night

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater announced the latest installment of a long-standing tradition created to honor military families across the Washington metropolitan area for their service and sacrifice on behalf of the nation. On Thursday, June 18, 2026, Arena Stage is inviting 200 guests, including wounded warriors, service members, and their families, to attend a complimentary dinner and evening performance of CrazySexyCool – The TLC Musical.

Military Appreciation Night is a gratitude initiative, established in 2011 and originally scheduled around the Thanksgiving holiday, that has now served approximately 2,000 military members and their families. Working closely with Armed Services Arts Partnership, Access Housing, Blue Star Families, USO, and VetTix to distribute tickets, Military Night is a special all-hands-on-deck community affair.

“We owe much to our military community, and we gratefully recognize and celebrate their service with this special evening,” said Arena Stage Artistic Director Hana S. Sharif. “Coming from a military family, I understand the immense sacrifices our servicemembers make, and I hope our guests see their stories reflected in the story of resilience and camaraderie onstage in CrazySexyCool—and that they have a wonderful time!”

The evening will begin with a dinner at 6pm featuring special remarks from Ret. Admiral Lisa Franchetti, former Chief of Naval Operations. Guests will have the opportunity to win family-friendly door prizes generously donated by local businesses and sister theaters across the Washington metropolitan area. At 8pm, they will be escorted to Arena Stage’s Kreeger Theater to enjoy a performance of Olivier nominee Kwame Kwei-Armah’s world-premiere stage musical about TLC’s story, CrazySexyCool.

Support for Military Night is provided by AMSG and Exelon. Special thanks to CSX Transportation.

Arena Stage is proud to collaborate with Access Housing, Armed Services Arts Partnership, Blue Star Families, USO, and Vet Tix as community partners for Military Appreciation Night.

For details and updates about Military Appreciation Night, visit arenastage.org/militarynight.