Ford's Theatre Announces Its 2026–2027 Season
Ford's Theatre has revealed its 2026–2027 season, bringing a powerful lineup of productions to one of Washington's most storied stages. The season features the return of the Tony Award-winning musical Come From Away, the annual holiday tradition of A Christmas Carol with Craig Wallace back as Ebenezer Scrooge, and the Broadway hit The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.
The season opens in September with Come From Away (September 10–October 18, 2026), returning to Ford's Theatre a full decade after it first graced the venue's historic stage. Directed by Kevin McAllister, the production arrives at a particularly meaningful moment, coinciding with the 25th commemoration of September 11. The musical tells the remarkable true story of 6,579 airline passengers whose planes were diverted to the small Newfoundland town of Gander in the aftermath of the attacks. Overnight, the town doubled in size as residents opened their doors to an international community of strangers, offering food, shelter, and friendship. Powered by a rousing folk and rock score, Come From Away is a stirring celebration of human kindness and resilience in the face of unimaginable darkness.
The holiday season brings back one of DC's most cherished theatrical traditions with A Christmas Carol (November 19–December 31, 2026). Adapted by Michael Wilson and originally conceived by Michael Baron, this music-infused production follows the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge on his ghostly journey of transformation and redemption. Craig Wallace, a DC favorite, returns to the role he has made his own, leading a cast of familiar Dickensian characters, spirits, and a children's ensemble through a production that TheaterMania has praised as a "rich visual and vocal treat" and The Washington Post has called "infectiously jolly."
In January 2027, Ford's Theatre will present the fifth edition of A First Look – A Festival of New Plays, the company's free, ticketed showcase of new works in various stages of development. The festival continues to spotlight plays from the Ford's Theatre Legacy Commissions, an initiative that seeks to amplify lesser-known stories and heroes who helped change the course of civil rights, social justice, and equality in America. The Legacy Commissions initiative is led by Senior Artistic Advisor Sheldon Epps, Director of Artistic Programming José Carrasquillo, and Legacy Commissions Advisor Sydné Mahone.
The season's final mainstage production is The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (March 12–May 15, 2027), directed by Alan Paul. This charming coming-of-age musical follows six awkward adolescents as they navigate the pressures, triumphs, and heartbreaks of a championship spelling tournament. Along the way, the eccentric group of contestants discovers that winning a trophy isn't everything and that belonging matters far more than being the best speller in the room. Adding an extra layer of spontaneity, each performance invites four audience volunteers to join the competition on stage, guaranteeing fresh and unexpected comedy every night.
Alongside the spring production, Ford's Theatre will continue its popular educational programming, including the actor-led History on Foot walking tours of downtown Washington, DC, and daytime one-act performances of One Destiny.
Ford's Theatre remains deeply committed to making the arts accessible to the wider DC community. Through the theatre's Free Preview initiative, tickets for the first preview performances of Come From Away and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee will be offered free of charge via a TodayTix ticket lottery, and free tickets will also be available for a preview performance of A Christmas Carol. Since the program launched in 2016, more than 11,000 tickets have been provided to Washington, DC audiences.
The theatre also continues its dedication to serving local students and teachers through weekday student matinees with accompanying lesson plans. A limited number of free tickets to select matinee performances are available to DC-metro area public and public charter schools, Title I schools, and schools where 40 percent or more of students qualify for Free and Reduced Meals. Schools within the Capital Beltway may also qualify for free bus transportation, and teachers can attend free workshops and preview performances before bringing their students. Since the student matinee program launched in 2009, more than 30,000 tickets have been provided to local students.