The Washington Center for the Performing Arts is bringing Broadway, big-name comedians and two of the country's most acclaimed authors to downtown Olympia for its 2026/27 season, which runs from October through June.
The lineup, announced June 17 by Executive Director Jill Barnes, spans more than 30 performances across the venue's main stage and intimate Black Box Theater at 512 Washington St. SE. Single tickets went on sale July 16.
"We are intentionally putting authors on stage," Barnes told OlyArts.org at the season announcement. "These are two of the most acclaimed popular writers right now, and it is so exciting that they are coming to Olympia. We have a lot of bibliophiles here."
Barnes was talking about Amy Tan and Timothy Egan. Tan's "An Evening with Amy Tan" opens the season on Wednesday, October 7, while Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Egan appears Friday, February 5, 2027. Pacific Northwest travel writer Rick Steves rounds out the speaker series with "Travel as a Political Act" on Friday, January 8, 2027.
The season's Broadway anchor is "Waitress," the Tony-nominated musical with music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles. The touring production plays Tuesday, June 23, and Thursday, June 24, 2027. Barnes said the show's sets and equipment fill four trucks, making it a major logistical undertaking for the venue.
Comedy fans have options nearly every month. Randy Rainbow's "National Freakin' Treasure" tour arrives Thursday, October 15. Emmy and Grammy nominee Tig Notaro brings her "Out of Nowhere" stand-up show Friday, November 13. "God Is a Scottish Drag Queen: A Christmas Special" returns Friday, December 4. And BATSU!, a Japanese-style improv game show, plays two shows on Saturday, March 27, 2027, at 6 p.m. (ages 16+) and 9 p.m. (ages 18+).
The Seattle International Comedy Competition makes a semi-final stop Thursday, November 19, and Ladies of Laughter returns Friday, March 19, 2027.
On the dance side, France-based Compagnie Hervé Koubi brings "Sol Invictus," blending contemporary dance, capoeira and martial arts, on Tuesday, February 9, 2027. MOMIX presents "Botanica," a surreal visual journey through nature, on Tuesday, May 18, 2027.
Music highlights include Scottish folk-rock band Skerryvore on Friday, October 9; International Guitar Night on Sunday, January 31, 2027; the Blind Boys of Alabama performing "Songs in the Key of Life" on Thursday, April 1, 2027; and The Wellermen on Friday, April 16, 2027. The Black Box Jazz series returns with four shows starting Friday, January 15, 2027.
The Washington Center also co-commissioned "FDR's Very Happy Hour," an immersive play running Thursday, November 5, through Saturday, November 7, in the Black Box. The production features captioning, wheelchair access and ASL interpretation.
Other stage offerings include "Clue: Live on Stage" on Monday, March 1, 2027, and "Bill W. and Dr. Bob," chronicling the origins of Alcoholics Anonymous, on Sunday, April 25, 2027.
One notable absence: the Center Salon series, a gathering of local artists and musicians in the Black Box, will not be part of this season. Barnes said it will return in fall 2027.
How to get tickets
Subscription packages are available for patrons choosing five or more eligible performances, with a 15% ticket discount, early access to season tickets and pre-sales for special events. Patrons selecting eight or more shows can keep the same seats for all performances.
Tickets are available at washingtoncenter.org, by phone at 360-753-8586, or at the box office (Tuesday through Friday, noon to 5:30 p.m.; Saturday, noon to 4 p.m.; and two hours before any ticketed event). Individual show prices are listed on the website.
