Little Lake Theatre has revealed its 77th season, featuring 10 productions that “explore how people build, reshape, and rediscover home.” The 2026 announcement also includes “a new chapter in the theater’s growth and outreach,” as “resident and anchor theater company” at the Canonsburg Educational and Cultural Institute (CECI), as well as the launch of the Little Lake Theatre Academy, “a new umbrella for all classes, camps, and youth programming.”
The Academy will eventually operate year-round, with classes and workshops offered both at Little Lake’s lakeside home and in CECI’s classroom spaces. Select productions and educational programming will take place in a newly restored 580-seat theater on their Canonsburg campus.
Little Lake Theatre program some performances there in 2026,
while maintaining its long-time home by the lake.
“While we will perform our first show at CECI in December 2026, Little Lake Theatre will maintain its historic lakeside home and continue to produce the majority of our season at the heart of our operations since 1949,” said Patrick Cannon, Little Lake Theatre Artistic Director. “The partnership with CECI represents an expansion, not a relocation, allowing Little Lake to reach new audiences while preserving the intimate, in-the-round experience that defines the Lake’s identity.”
“CECI is a new entrant into the local cultural scene. We strive to provide a high quality space for Broadway shows, concerts and other types of performances,” Tony Colaizzo, head of CECI’s Board of Directors, said in a statement. “Strategic collaboration with LLTC is a catalyst for increased cultural vitality in Canonsburg, Washington County and the region.”
Little Lake is also expanding its large-scale community collaborations. In 2026, the theater will present the second annual Broadway at the Ballpark — moving from its debut with the Washington Wild Things in 2024 to Highmark Stadium, in partnership with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds & Riveters. The season will also include an outdoor performance of The Wolves at the stadium, further blending the worlds of sport and theatre in a unique celebration of teamwork, artistry, and community.
“Theater has always been about connection between artists, audiences, and the communities we serve,” said Cannon. “Every theater has a home, and ours keeps finding new ways to welcome people in. This next chapter widens our circle.”
Little Lake Theatre has already surpassed its record-breaking 2025 season, setting new highs in attendance, subscriptions, and community engagement, “further proof that theater thrives when it reflects and serves its community,” Managing Director Patti Knapp said.
The season, titled “Home Is Where the Heart Is,” has offerings ranging from the season-opening The Wizard of Oz in April to Pickleball, a 2022 comedy by the award-winning actor Jeff Daniels, exploring about four middle-aged players participating in their local tournament.
LITTLE LAKE THEATRE 2026 SEASON
The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum, music & lyrics by Harold Arlen & E.Y. Harburg, adapted by John Kane for the RSC | April 2–19, 2026.
Dial ‘M’ for Murder by Frederick Knott, dapted by Jeffrey Hatcher | April 30–May 17, 2026.
Pickleball by Jeff Daniels | May 28–June 14.
A Few Good Men by Aaron Sorkin | June 25–July 12.
Frozen Jr. with music & lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez & Robert Lopez, book by Jennifer Lee, based on the Disney film | July 23–August 2 (Access: Sensory-friendly performance)
Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson – Apt. 2B by Kate Hamill | August 13–30 (Access: ASL performance).
Big Fish | with music & lyrics by Andrew Lippa, book by John August, based on the novel by Daniel Wallace and the Columbia Pictures film | September 10–27
Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors by Gordon Greenberg & Steve Rosen, based on Bram Stoker’s novel | October 8–25.
The Wolves by Sarah DeLappe I November 5–22 | Including outdoor performances at Highmark Stadium.
White Christmas with music & lyrics by Irving Berlin, book by David Ives & Paul Blake, based on the Paramount Pictures film | December 3–20
TICKETS AND DETAILS
Tickets and subscriptions for the 2026 season go on sale November 11, 2025 at 9 p.m. at littlelake.org.
Categories: Our Posts, Season Listings, Show Previews
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