TheaterWorks Hartford, under the leadership of Artistic Director Rob Ruggiero and Managing Director Jeff Griffin, announces single tickets are now on sale for the organization’s upcoming 2026 – 2027 season. Starting Thursday, June 11, 2026, patrons can purchase tickets to all five season shows, plus Christmas on the Rocks, which is not part of the subscription season.
The theater’s 41st season launches in October of 2026 with LITTLE BEAR RIDGE ROAD by Samuel D. Hunter (The Whale). Set on the remote edge of a small Idaho town, this gripping new play reunites a razor-tongued aunt and her long-estranged nephew, when circumstances suddenly force them back into each other’s lives. With a crumbling house to sell and years of unresolved history between them, sparks fly, tempers flare, and buried wounds resurface. Bitingly funny and quietly explosive, Little Bear Ridge Road explores the complicated, deeply human urge to reach across the void that separates us, even when doing so threatens to break us open. Little Bear Ridge Road runs October 8 – November 8, 2026.
The season continues with a production of TOPDOG/UNDERDOG, the Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Suzan-Lori Parks. Celebrating 25 years since its groundbreaking premiere off-Broadway, Topdog/Underdog remains one of the most powerful and provocative works in American theater. This darkly comic fable of brotherly love and family identity tells the story of two brothers, Lincoln and Booth, names given to them as a joke by their father. Haunted by the past and their obsession with the street con game three-card monte, the brothers navigate ambition, dreams, rivalry, and deep family secrets to uncover the surprising truths that have shaped their lives. This production will run February 4 – March 7, 2027.
The third play in TWH’s 26/27 season will be both intimate and epic: THE LEHMAN TRILOGY by Stefano Massini, adapted by Ben Power. Three brothers. One dream. An empire that would change the world. On a cold September morning in 1844, a young man from Bavaria steps on to a New York dock dreaming of a new life in America. Soon his two brothers join him—and an American epic begins. Spanning two centuries of family history, the play traces the humble beginnings, extraordinary successes, and eventual collapse of the financial institution that would help bring the global economy to its knees. In this theatrical tour de force, three actors bring more than a century and a half of ambition, triumph, and tragedy vividly to life. The Lehman Trilogy received universal critical acclaim, and won the Tony Award for Best Play. This production will run April 1 – May 2, 2027.
BOTH by Paloma Nozicka, will run June 3 – July 3, 2027. In the CT premiere of this exciting new play, Xochi is dealing with a lot. A difficult pregnancy, a new relationship, and the strain of navigating life within her close-knit Mexican American family who is still grappling with the disappearance of her twin brother more than a year ago. As she struggles to keep her footing, the impossible happens—Sebastian suddenly returns. Her family is overjoyed, but Xochi is not so sure. Where has he been? And why does this version of her brother feel so different from the one she remembers? Haunting, funny, and deeply moving, Both explores the fragile bonds of family, the persistence of memory, and the unsettling question of which truths we choose to believe. Paloma and TWH are recipients of the Joyce C. Willis Equity in the Arts Award from the Roberts Foundation for the Arts.
TWH’s 41st season concludes with 73 SECONDS, written and performed by multimedia artist Jared Mezzocchi (TWH: Circus Fire, Sandra). Running August 3 – August 29, 2027, Jared shares the true story of his relationship with his mother after she is invited by NASA to go into outer space. What begins as a personal inquiry becomes a far-reaching exploration of family, memory, and the ways we deal with catastrophe. Using analog technology from the 1980s to create a live documentary, this inventive new work asks how we piece together the past, especially when it resists being remembered.The World Premiere of 73 Seconds was commissioned and produced by En Garde Arts.
Additionally, TheaterWorks Hartford’s Twisted Holiday Tradition will return for its 14th year in 2026 with some new surprises! CHRISTMAS ON THE ROCKS runs November 24 – December 23, 2026.
“In the midst of our landmark 40th anniversary season, it feels both surreal and incredibly exciting to be announcing our 41st,” says TWH’s Artistic Director Rob Ruggiero. “This collection of plays inspires me, and I can’t wait to share them all with TWH audiences. Each story is distinct and compelling, yet they’re all beautifully connected by their exploration of family — in all its complexity, humor, heartbreak, and resilience. They entertain, challenge us, and ask meaningful questions about who we are and how we care for one another.”
TheaterWorks Hartford’s historic home is located at 233 Pearl St. in downtown Hartford. Five play subscriptions are also available and can be purchased at twhartford.org or by calling 860.527.7838. All subscriptions come with 1 Free Drink per season.
TheaterWorks Hartford 2026 – 2027 Season
NYT CRITICS PICK / REGIONAL PREMIERE
LITTLE BEAR RIDGE ROAD
by Samuel D. Hunter
OCT 8 – NOV 8, 2026
Set on the remote edge of a small Idaho town, this gripping new play reunites a razor-tongued aunt and her long-estranged nephew, when circumstances suddenly force them back into each other’s lives. With a crumbling house to sell and years of unresolved history between them, sparks fly, tempers flare, and buried wounds resurface. Bitingly funny and quietly explosive, Little Bear Ridge Road explores the complicated, deeply human urge to reach across the void that separates us, even when doing so threatens to break us open.
CONNECTICUT’S FAVORITE TWISTED HOLIDAY TRADITION
CHRISTMAS ON THE ROCKS
by Judy Gold, Jenn Harris, Jeffrey Hatcher, Jacques Lamarre, Edwin Sánchez, Matthew Wilkas
NOV 24 – DEC 23, 2026.
It’s Christmas Eve in a rundown local bar. Expecting a silent night, the bartender finds himself mixing drinks for a parade of surprising (and familiar) guests who come to pour out their Christmas woes in this delightful parody.
Not part of the 25/26 subscription season.
PULITZER PRIZE WINNER / 25th ANNIVERSARY PRODUCTION
TOPDOG/UNDERDOG
by Suzan-Lori Parks
FEB 4 – MAR 7, 2027
Celebrating 25 years since its groundbreaking premiere off-Broadway,
Topdog/Underdog remains one of the most powerful and provocative works in American theater. This darkly comic fable of brotherly love and family identity tells the story of two brothers, Lincoln and Booth, names given to them as a joke by their father. Haunted by the past and their obsession with the street con game three-card monte, the brothers navigate ambition, dreams, rivalry, and deep family secrets to uncover the surprising truths that have shaped their lives.
TONY AWARD WINNER FOR BEST PLAY
THE LEHMAN TRILOGY
by Stefano Massini
adapted by Ben Power
APR 1 – MAY 2, 2027
Three brothers. One dream. An empire that would change the world. On a cold September morning in 1844, a young man from Bavaria steps on to a New York dock dreaming of a new life in America. Soon his two brothers join him—and an American epic begins. Spanning two centuries of family history, the play traces the humble beginnings, extraordinary successes, and eventual collapse of the financial institution that would help bring the global economy to its knees. In this theatrical tour de force, three actors bring more than a century and a half of ambition, triumph, and tragedy vividly to life. The Lehman Trilogy received universal critical acclaim, and won the Tony Award for Best Play. This production will open in April of 2027.
CONNECTICUT PREMIERE
BOTH
by Paloma Nozicka
JUNE 3 – JULY 3, 2027
In the CT premiere of this exciting new play, Xochi is dealing with a lot. A difficult pregnancy, a new relationship, and the strain of navigating life within her close-knit Mexican American family who is still grappling with the disappearance of her twin brother more than a year ago. As she struggles to keep her footing, the impossible happens—Sebastian suddenly returns. Her family is overjoyed, but Xochi is not so sure. Where has he been? And why does this version of her brother feel so different from the one she remembers? Haunting, funny, and deeply moving, Both explores the fragile bonds of family, the persistence of memory, and the unsettling question of which truths we choose to believe. Paloma and TWH are recipients of the Joyce C. Willis Equity in the Arts Award from the Roberts Foundation for the Arts.
73 SECONDS
written and performed by Jared Mezzocchi
AUG 3 – AUG 29, 2027
In 73 Seconds, multimedia artist Jared Mezzocchi tells us the true story of his relationship with his mother after she is invited by NASA to go into outer space. What begins as a personal inquiry becomes a far-reaching exploration of family, memory, and the ways we deal with catastrophe. Using analog technology from the 1980s to create a live documentary, this inventive new work asks how we piece together the past, especially when it resists being remembered. The World Premiere of 73 Seconds was commissioned and produced by En Garde Arts.
About TheaterWorks Hartford:
TheaterWorks Hartford, led by Artistic Director Rob Ruggiero and Managing Director
Jeff Griffin, has produced relevant, engaging contemporary theater for over 40 years at their historic Pearl Street address. Founded in 1985, TWH is committed to the power of storytelling in creating community and has produced over 200 plays and musicals including the world premiere of High (with Kathleen Turner), Relativity (with Richard Dreyfuss) and Make Me A Song: The Music of William Finn, among others. Visit us at twhartford.org.