Yo-Yo Ma (Credit: Brantley Gutierre)
The Charleston Gaillard Center today announced its 2026–2027 season, bringing together a remarkable range of artistic voices: world-renowned ensembles, celebrated soloists, and bold new commissions that reflect the full breadth of the performing arts. From returning favorites to premieres that reflect a deepening investment in the creative process, the season affirms the Gaillard’s commitment to both the presentation and creation of exceptional artistry. With each passing year, the Gaillard grows as a vital cultural destination for Charleston, the Lowcountry, and the broader Southeast.
Season highlights include:
- The return of the beloved Lowcountry Jazz Festival, celebrating Charleston's signature smooth jazz weekend with an all-star lineup
- A boundary-pushing world premiere as visionary digital artist Beeple and Grammy Award-winning ensemble Sō Percussion join forces in a one-night-only immersive experience at Beeple Studios
- Akram Khan Company's final touring production, Thikra: Night of Remembering, a poignant collaboration between Akram Khan and award-winning visual artist Manal AlDowayan
- A rare, large-scale performance of Philip Glass's complete set of twenty piano etudes, featuring ten exceptional pianists
- The fifth year of the iconic Spiegeltent on the Terrace Lawn, celebrated with an all-new production of Cabaret Royale by London's acclaimed Underbelly
- An intimate and deeply expressive musical dialogue between cellist Yo-Yo Ma and pianist Solon Gordon
- Three Broadway luminaries, including two Hamilton stars, Leslie Odom, Jr. and Renée Elise Goldsberry, gracing the Gaillard stage
- Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis in a momentous appearance during Marsalis's final season as Artistic Director
- A powerful evening with New York Times bestselling author and cultural commentator Isabel Wilkerson
- The Surge: An Ode to Sinéad O'Connor, a bold new work co-commissioned by the Gaillard and choreographed by Tony Award–winning choreographer Sonya Tayeh
- Branford Marsalis and Dianne Reeves unite in a special tribute celebrating the centennial of John Coltrane's birth
"This season is a reflection of everything we believe the Gaillard can be," said Lissa Frenkel, President and CEO of the Charleston Gaillard Center. "Year after year, this stage becomes something more : a place where artists are invited to take risks, where new ideas find a home, and where audiences gather for experiences that stay with them long after the curtain falls. We are proud to bring together celebrated artists, bold new commissions, and unexpected collaborations that push the boundaries of what a performing arts center can offer. And we have more surprises still to come."
McDonald
2026–2027 SEASON PROGRAMMING
Find a full schedule of the 2026–2027 season performances below (with more still to be announced). For tickets and membership information, visit gaillardcenter.org.
TICKETS
Unless otherwise noted, tickets go on sale Tuesday, May 5, at 11:00am EST at gaillardcenter.org or (843) 242-3099. Gaillard Members receive presale access. To learn more about our Membership program, please contact our Development Office at (843) 579-6220 or development@gaillardcenter.org
LOWCOUNTRY JAZZ FESTIVAL
September 4–6, 2026
Celebrate Charleston’s signature smooth jazz weekend as the Lowcountry Jazz Festival returns this September . Co-produced by Tony Clarke, this memorable three-day event features an all-star lineup, including Vincent Ingala (All White Party, September 4); Lakecia Benjamin and Phoenix , Peter White , and Anthony Hamilton (Day 1, September 5); and K eiko Matsui , Jonathan Butler , Rick Braun , and Richard Elliot (Day 2, September 6). For over two decades, Closing the Gap in Health Care, Inc., founded by Dr. Thaddeus J. Bell, has continued its mission to advance health equity. The festival remains its primary fundraiser, supporting vital programs across South Carolina and the Southeast. Co-presented with Closing the Gap in Health Care, Inc. Tickets already available.
BEEPLE x SŌ PERCUSSION
September 26, 2026 | 6:30pm doors, 8:00pm performance
A bold new collaboration comes to life at Beeple Studios in a one-night-only world premiere. Grammy Award-winning ensemble Sō Percussion joins visionary digital artist Beeple for a boundary-pushing performance that fuses live music with AI-driven visuals in an immersive studio setting. This special event reflects an ongoing commitment to expanding beyond the Gaillard’s campus and into the creative fabric of the community. All tickets include a pre-performance reception, setting the stage for an evening that is as celebratory as it is dynamic. Co-produced with Beeple Studios.
AKRAM KHAN COMPANY
October 1–2, 2026 | 7:30pm
Celebrating 26 years of groundbreaking work, Akram Khan Company brings its latest and final touring production, Thikra : Night of Remembering, to the stage. The Gaillard is proud that Charleston is among a select few cities to welcome this landmark production—a poignant culmination of the company's extraordinary artistic journey. This powerful work reflects on memory, legacy, and the stories we carry forward, blending striking movement, evocative music, and rich cultural influences. Both intimate and expansive, it is a deeply moving meditation on remembrance and a fitting tribute to a company that has redefined contemporary dance worldwide. Sup port pr ovided by donors to the Charleston Gaillard Center's Dance Initiative.
MEREDITH WILLSON'S THE MUSIC MAN
October 14, 2026 | 7:30pm
There is trouble in River City when a fast-talking salesman gets his heart stolen by the town librarian. Meredith Willson's six-time, Tony Award-winning musical comedy The Music Man follows Harold Hill, as he cons the people of River City, Iowa, into buying instruments and uniforms for a band that he vows to organize–this, despite the fact that he doesn't know a trombone from a treble clef. His plans to skip town with the cash are foiled when he falls for Marian, the librarian who transforms him into a respectable citizen by curtain's fall. Featuring songs such as "Seventy-Six Trombones," "Trouble," " 'Til There Was You," " Pickalittle ," and “Gary, Indiana," The Music Man is a family-friendly story to be shared with every generation.
Black Violin
BLACK VIOLIN
October 15, 2026 | 7:30pm
Beloved by Charleston Gaillard Center audiences, the genre-defying duo Black Violin returns with their blend of classical virtuosity and-hop beats. Comprised of Kev Marcus and Wil Baptiste, the group has created a sound that is entirely their own and captivated audiences worldwide with performances that are as innovative as they are electrifying. Tickets to become available in Summer 2026 .
HENRY CHO: THE EMPTY NEST TOUR
October 17, 2026 | 7:30pm
Henry Cho brings his signature clean Southern comedy in a high-energy stand-up show that proves you don’t need profanity to be hilarious. Blending sharp observations about family life, marriage, parenting, and growing up Korean American in Tennessee, his comedy is equal parts heartwarming and side-splitting. A veteran of The Tonight Show and The Late Late Show, Cho delivers a polished, personal, and refreshingly relatable theater experience. Whether riffing on cultural mix-ups, church life, or everyday marriage negotiations, audiences leave feeling seen—and laughing hard. Co-presented with Outback Presents. Tickets already available.
CHUCHO VALDÉS 85TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
with special guests Joe Lovano and Etienne Charles
October 20, 2026 | 7:30pm
NEA Jazz Master and winner of seven Grammy and seven Latin Grammy Awards, the Cuban pianist, composer, and arranger Chucho Valdés is the most influential figure in modern Afro-Cuban jazz. In a rich career spanning sixty years, Chucho has pushed boundaries in pursuit of new expressions in Afro-Cuban music. Chucho celebrates his 85th birthday in 2026 with an exciting new program featuring special guests Joe Lovano and Etienne Charles.
JIM HENSON'S FRAGGLE ROCK: BACK TO THE ROCK LIVE
October 23, 2026 | 6:30pm
Gobo, Red, Mokey, Wembley, and Boober Fraggle set off on an epic adventure to uncover the lost pieces of the legendary Celebration Stone, an ancient treasure said to bring everyone together for the greatest party ever. Journeying through new caves and beyond, the Fraggles discover unexpected magic and the joy that emerges when people come together to care for one another and the world they share. Featuring beautifully crafted full-body costumes and puppets from Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, fan-favorite songs, and dazzling effects, this all-new musical brings Fraggle Rock to life on stage. Filled with humor, heart, and imagination, it is a joyful, family-friendly experience that delights new audiences while welcoming longtime fans on a nostalgic return to a beloved world.
October 25, 2026 | 6:00pm
Experience the beloved 1984 classic film like never before, with the music performed on stage by an orchestra. Audience members will enjoy the ultimate movie concert experience as Ghostbusters is presented on a large HD cinema screen, fully synced to a live performance of Academy Award®-winning composer Elmer Berstein’s spine-tingling score. Tickets already available.
October 30, 2026 | 7:30pm
David Sedaris, America’s best-selling humorist and social satirist, returns following publication of his most recent book of short stories, Happy Go Lucky, and his first ever children’s book, Pretty Ugly. In his customary sartorial and humorous manner, David will make you laugh and think in equal measures, with all new, unpublished stories and commentary. As always, the reading will be accompanied by a pre- and post-show book signing. Co-presented with Innovation Arts & Entertainment. Books will be available for purchase onsite through Blue Bicycle Books.
THE COMPLETE PHILIP GLASS PIANO ETUDES
November 1, 2026 | 5:00pm
One of the most influential composers of our time, Philip Glass created his complete set of twenty piano etudes as bot h a personal challenge and a musical diary showcasing works that have become some of the most intimate and compelling in his vast body of music . Presented in celebration of Glass's 90th birthday, this rare, large-scale performance brings his complete set of twenty piano etudes to life rare, large-scale performance featuring an exceptional lineup of 10 pianists, including Timo Andres, Inon Barnatan, Aaron Diehl, Lara Downes, Conor Hanick, Daniela Liebman, Jenny Lin, Christian Sands, and Charleston-based pianists Demetrius Doctor and Tom Hicks. Shared across multiple performers, these meditative and virtuosic works unfold as a sweeping portrait of a singular artistic voice, offering a mesmerizing evening of contemporary piano music. Produced by Pomegranate Arts . Presented in partnership with the College of Charleston International Piano Series.
TRISHA BROWN DANCE COMPANY
November 7, 2026 | 7:30pm
The Trisha Brown Dance Company celebrates the legacy of one of the most influential choreographers of the 20th century with a compelling repertory program featuring Set and Reset, Rogues, and Working Title. Founded in 1970 by vanguard postmodern artist Trisha Brown, the company continues to bring her groundbreaking work to audiences around the world. This program highlights Brown’s signature movement language—at once fluid, architectural, and playfully complex—through iconic collaborations with artists including Laurie Anderson and Robert Rauschenberg. Bold and visually striking, these works reflect a choreographic voice that forever reshaped contemporary dance. Audiences should watch for additional announcements as the Gaillard's celebration of Trisha Brown's legacy expands into unexpected corners of Charleston. S upport provided by donors to the Charleston Gaillard Center's Dance Initiative.
RENÉE ELISE GOLDSBERRY
November 22, 2026 | 7:00pm
Broadway luminary Renée Elise Goldsberry—Tony and Grammy Award-winning star of Hamilton—brings her powerhouse voice and magnetic stage presence to the Gaillard for an electrifying evening of music. Known for originating the role of Angelica Schuyler in the Broadway phenomenon and for scene-stealing performances on screen, Goldsberry blends soul, blues, pop, folk, and gospel roots in a performance that celebrates the music that shaped her. Joined by a dynamic group of backup singers, she leads audiences through a high-energy, feel-good musical journey—part concert, part revival—filled with soaring vocals, rhythmic clapping, and irresistible joy.
CABARET ROYALE BY UNDERBELLY
(New Commission)
December 2026
Cabaret Royale returns to the Spiegeltent with an all-new production for 2026, as the iconic venue celebrates its fifth year on the Terrace Lawn. Expect a swirl of glamour, grit, and high-energy thrills as boundary-pushing performances, sharp-witted comedy, and bold spectacle take the stage in this unforgettable evening of entertainment. Created by London’s acclaimed Underbelly, this dazzling experience is the perfect addition to your holiday traditions—a night of surprise and sparkle you’ll be talking about long after the evening ends. Tickets to become available late Summer 2026 .
SHAKEY GRAVES: FONDNESS, ETC. TOUR
December 5, 2026 | 7:30pm
Austin-born singer-songwriter Shakey Graves has built a devoted following through a career defined by adventure and intentional artistry. Born Alejandro Rose-Garcia, he approaches music as a “choose your own adventure” for the listener, crafting songs that feel both deeply personal and wildly unpredictable. In 2024, he marked the ten-year anniversary of his celebrated And The War Came album, and now his Fondness, Etc. Tour brings this true gentleman from Texas to the acoustically brilliant Gaillard stage.
AOIFE O'DONOVAN AND CHRIS THILE
WASSAIL! AN EVENING OF CAROLS AND MERRIMENT
December 13, 2026 | 7:00pm
Celebrate the season with Grammy Award-winning artists Aoife O’Donovan (vocalist, guitarist, and founding member of I’m With Her and Crooked Still) and Chris Thile (MacArthur Fellow and founding member of Punch Brothers and Nickel Creek) as the illuminate treasured holiday songs with spellbinding harmonies and joyful musicality. Featuring newly written (and never before released) original songs, fresh arrangements of beloved classics, lively stories, and good cheer in abundance, Wassail! is a warm invitation to gather in the glow of the holidays.
Odom
LESLIE ODOM, JR.
The Christmas Tour 2026
December 20, 2026 | 7:00pm
Tony and Grammy Award–winning singer, actor, and Broadway luminary Leslie Odom, Jr. is celebrated for his commanding voice, charismatic stage presence, and unforgettable portrayal of Aaron Burr in the Pulitzer Prize–winning phenomenon Hamilton. A three-time Emmy nominee and two-time Academy Award nominee, Odom has captivated audiences across stage and screen, including his appearance in films such as Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery. This special holiday performance blends Odom’s signature warmth and expressive vocals for an intimate and joyful evening with one of today’s most compelling performers.
COTTON
J anuary 15, 2027 | 7:30pm
COTTON is a spellbinding multimedia song-cycle bringing together John Dowell’s extraordinary photography of cotton, taken in South Carolina, with newly commissioned poems by renowned American poets. Brilliantly set to music by composer Damien Geter, this moving work is brought to life by mezzo-soprano J’Nai Bridges and baritone Justin Austin, and unfolds against the backdrop of enormous, constantly evolving projected images. Especially resonant in Charleston, this profound journey delves deep in the world of cotton, balancing tragic history with resilience and hope. Presented on the Friday of Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, COTTON arrives at a moment primed for reflection, offering audiences an opportunity to engage with history in a way that is as thought-provoking as it is moving.
Credit: Carol Rosegg
NEW YORK GILBERT & SULLIVAN PLAYERS: THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE
J anuary 26, 2027 | 7:30pm
Join the New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players for a lively production of The Pirates of Penzance. Featuring a full orchestra, chorus, and acclaimed soloists, this comic operetta brings W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan’s wit and melodies to vibrant life. Follow Frederic, mistakenly apprenticed to pirates, as he navigates duty, love, and a leap-year twist alongside the dashing Pirate King, spirited Mabel, and the famously fast-talking Major-General. Packed with iconic numbers like “I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major-General,” this timeless favorite delivers humor, romance, and irresistible musical charm.
JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER ORCHESTRA WITH WYNTON MARSALIS
January 30, 2027 | 7:30pm
Founded in 1988, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis tours the world performing a vast repertoire of music, from historic and rare compositions to commissioned works. The group’s compositions and arrangements include works by Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Fletcher Henderson, Thelonious Monk, Mary Lou Williams, Dizzy Gillespie, Benny Goodman, and Charles Mingus, as well as new music from the group’s unrivalled collection of world-renowned composers and arrangers.
This performance is part of Wynton Marsalis’s final season as Artistic Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center and Music Director of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.
ISABEL WILKERSON
February 23, 2027 | 7:00pm
In this intimate anniversary talk, Isabel Wilkerson, a New York Times bestselling author, reflects on the enduring impact of The Warmth of Other Suns fifteen years after its publication. She explores why this history remains essential to understanding America today, and how its influence continues to shape conversations around race, migration, and identity—themes she further examines in Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents. Especially resonant in South Carolina, a state from which more than half a million African Americans departed between 1900 and 1940, this is a conversation with particular meaning for Charleston and the Lowcountry. Drawing from her deeply empathetic reporting, Wilkerson shares personal insights and behind-the-scenes reflections on the making of this landmark work. In keeping with the Gaillard’s commitment to uplifting important voices of our time, this powerful talk offers a moving tribute to resilience, courage, and the pursuit of a better life. Co-presented with the International African American Museum. Books will be available for purchase onsite through Buxton Books.
THE SURGE: AN ODE TO SINÉAD O'CONNOR
(New Commission)
February 26, 2027 | 7:30pm
Tony Award–winning choreographer and director Sonya Tayeh brings her singular vision to The Surge: An Ode to Sinéad O’Connor, a powerful new work co-commissioned by the Charleston Gaillard Center. Following its premiere at the prestigious Factory International in Manchester, the work now embarks on a tour that brings it to the Gaillard stage. Set to the music and words of Sinéad O’Connor, this bold creation is a meditation on protest and the courage to live unapologetically.
Performed by a company of ten women whose collective experience spans generations, The Surge celebrates the beauty and wisdom that come with time. Unflinching and deeply tender, this mesmerizing work channels O’Connor’s spirit into a moving tribute that resonates long after the final moment. Support for this program is made possible by generous donors who have committed time and resources to the Charleston Gaillard Center’s Dance Initiative. Commissioned by The Joyce Theater’s Stephen and Cathy Weinroth Fund for New Work and Factory International, Manchester. Co-commissioned by the Charleston Gaillard Center, The Lensic Performing Arts Center (Santa Fe, NM), and ArtPower at UC San Diego.
HADESTOWN
March 4, 2027 | 8:0 0pm
Welcome to Hadestown, where a song can change your fate. Winner of eight 2019 Tony Awards, including Best Musical and the 2020 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album, this acclaimed new show from celebrated singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell and original director Rachel Chavkin (Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812) is a love story for today...and always. Intertwining two mythic tales—that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of King Hades and his wife Persephone—Hadestown is a haunting and hopeful theatrical experience that grabs you and never lets go.
AN EVENING WITH AUDRA McDONALD
March 6, 2027 | 7:30pm
Broadway luminary Audra McDonald brings her extraordinary voice and dramatic artistry to the Gaillard for an unforgettable evening. A six-time Tony Award winner—the most decorated performer in Tony Award history—McDonald is celebrated for acclaimed performances in productions including Gypsy, Carousel, Ragtime, A Raisin in the Sun, and Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill. A Juilliard-trained soprano and recipient of two Grammy Awards, an Emmy Award, and the National Medal of Arts from President Barack Obama, she has captivated audiences across stage, film, and television. This special appearance offers a rare opportunity to experience one of the theater world’s most remarkable and versatile performers live in concert.
KODO ONE EARTH TOUR: LUMINANCE
March 21, 2027 | 5:00pm
For more than four decades, the internationally acclaimed taiko ensemble Kodo has toured the world under the banner “One Earth,” presenting more than 7,500 performances in over 50 countries and bringing audiences together through the resonant power of Japanese drumming. In Luminance, Kodo shares signature works refined across decades of global touring, alongside new works by current ensemble members and guest artists—music inspired by the cultures, encounters, and experiences that continue to shape Kodo’s worldwide journey.
STOMP
March 30, 2027 | 7:30pm
Explosive, inventive, and irresistibly rhythmic, STOMP returns with its signature blend of music, movement, and theatricality — transforming everyday objects into instruments of astonishing precision and energy. An international sensation that has captivated audiences around the world for over thirty years . STOMP, see what the noise is all about. Tickets already available.
THE MOTH
April 2, 2027 | 7:30pm
Experience the power of storytelling with The Moth, where true, personal stories are shared live and without notes. In this mainstage event, five storytellers take the stage to share unforgettable moments drawn from real life, revealing the humor, heartbreak, and humanity that connect us all. Part of a global phenomenon that has reached millions through live events, podcasts, and its Peabody Award–winning radio hour, The Moth brings an evening of authentic voices and unexpected perspectives—stories that resonate deeply, linger long after, and reflect the richness of lived experience.
YO-YO MA AND SOLON GORDON
April 4, 2027 | 5:00pm
Cellist Yo-Yo Ma joins pianist Solon Gordon for a remarkable evening of musical collaboration shaped by curiosity and shared artistry. One of the most celebrated musicians of our time, Ma is known not only for his extraordinary performances and recordings, but for projects that explore music’s ability to foster understanding across cultures. His connection to Charleston and the Martha and John M. Rivers Performance Hall is longstanding, dating back to his performance at the Gaillard's grand opening in 2015.
Together with Gordon—a dynamic pianist and thoughtful musical partner—this performance offers an intimate and deeply expressive dialogue between two artists. Reflective and engaging, the program highlights the power of music to inspire and bring people together in meaningful ways.
Marsalis
BRANFORD MARSALIS AND DIANNE REEVES CELEBRATE JOHN COLTRANE
April 11, 2027 | 5:00pm
In celebration of the centennial of John Coltrane’s birth, the Branford Marsalis Quartet joins forces with acclaimed vocalist Dianne Reeves for a special tribute honoring one of jazz’s most transcendent voices. Inspired by Coltrane’s landmark 1963 collaboration with Johnny Hartman, this extraordinary program brings together two of today’s most revered jazz artists. Led by NEA Jazz Master Branford Marsalis, the quartet’s signature artistry meets Reeves’s unparalleled vocal brilliance in an evening of depth, elegance, and improvisational mastery celebrating the timeless spirit and enduring influence of a true musical icon. Presented in association with the Charleston Jazz Festival
DANCE THEATRE OF HARLEM
April 30–May 1, 2027 | 7:30pm
Returning to the Gaillard, Dance Theatre of Harlem delights audiences with its signature blend of tradition and innovation. Founded in 1969 by Arthur Mitchell and Karel Shook, the company embodies Mitchell’s belief that ballet is for everyone, presenting beloved classics, George Balanchine’s neoclassical masterpieces, and daring contemporary works by Artistic Director Robert Garland. With a legacy of artistic excellence, community engagement, and transformative arts education, Dance Theatre of Harlem continues to inspire and empower, showcasing the enduring power of dance to create opportunities for creative expression across generations. Support for this program is made possible by generous donors who have committed time and resources to the Charleston Gaillard Center’s Dance Initiative. Co-presented with the International African American Museum