ASOLO REPERTORY THEATRE ANNOUNCES A MOMENTOUS 2025 – 2026 SEASON WITH HOPE, HEART AND ROCK ‘N ROLL
(Sarasota, FL) – Asolo Repertory Theatre, the eminent theatre on Florida’s Cultural Coast, announces its new, expanded 2025-2026 season, including: The bold reimagining of the rock musical Movin’ Out (November 13 – December 28, 2026), the return of the acclaimed All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914 (playing at The Historic Asolo Theater December 3 – December 19, 2025), the new Pulitzer Prizing-winning drama Primary Trust (January 7 – February 11, 2026), the thrilling murder mystery Agatha Christie’s The Mirror Cracked (January 21 – March 14, 2026), the U.S. Premiere of The Unfriend, the beloved classic Fiddler on the Roof (April 14 – May 24, 2026) the story of the Mother of Rock ‘n Roll Marie and Rosetta (playing in the Cook Theatre May 6 – May 31, 2026) and the rolling world premiere of Lauren Gunderson’s Lady Disdain (June 6 – June 27, 2026).
Peter Rothstein, Asolo’s Producing Artistic Director states, “I’m thrilled to share this dynamic collection of stories with our community, and to welcome some of the most celebrated artists of our time to create work on the Asolo stage—artists such as Twyla Tharp, Billy Joel, E. Faye Butler and Lauren Gunderson.”
2025 – 2026 SEASON
Movin’ Out
November 13 – December 28, 2025
Previews November 13 – November 20
Open November 21
Mertz Theatre
Music and Lyrics by Billy Joel
Conceived, Directed, and Choreographed by Twyla Tharp
*For more information, please see separate release by clicking here.
All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914
December 3 – December 19, 2025
Previews December 3 – December 4
Open December 5
Historic Asolo Theater
By Peter Rothstein
Vocal Arrangements by Erick Lichte and Timothy C. Takach
Directed by Peter Rothstein
Music Direction by Erick Lichte
The Western Front. Christmas. A German soldier sets down his rifle and steps into No Man’s Land, singing “Silent Night”. Thus begins an extraordinary night of fellowship, music, and peace, told in the words and the songs of the men who lived it. Peter Rothstein’s salute to unsung heroes of The Great War returns to the Historic Asolo Theater after a sell-out run last season.
“A heartbreaking tribute to the men, who, in defiance of their commanders had the courage to affirm their common humanity.” - The New Yorker
Primary Trust
January 7 – February 11, 2026
Previews January 7 – 8
Open January 9
Mertz Theatre
By Eboni Booth
Directed by Chari Arespacochaga
One of the most awarded off-Broadway premieres of 2024, Eboni Booth’s absorbing, funny, and ultimately profound new play is about a middle-aged man scraping by in small town America. Kenneth spends his days working in a quiet bookstore and his evenings sipping Mai Tais at the local tiki bar, but when he loses his job, he’s forced to confront a world he’s long avoided. A deceptively ordinary story about the extraordinary possibility inside each of us.
“Eboni Booth’s tender 2024 Pulitzer winner, finds value in every life.” – Los Angeles Times
Agatha Christie’s The Mirror Crack’d
January 21 – March 14, 2026
Previews January 21 - 22
Open January 23
Mertz Theatre
By Agatha Christie
Adapted by Rachel Wagstaff
Directed by Michael Donald Edwards
A Hollywood film star and her entourage descend upon a quaint English village to film an epic period drama. But when the glamorous opening reception ends in a chilling murder, everyone becomes a suspect, leaving Agatha Christie’s beloved sleuth, Miss Marple, to untangle a web of ambition, deceit, and stage fright. One of the Queen of Mystery’s most celebrated novels finally makes it to the stage in this new adaptation by Rachel Wagstaff.
“A roller coaster ride of emotions, thrills and quite a lot of spills.” – Stage Side UK
The Unfriend
February 18 – March 22, 2026
Previews February 18 - 29
Open February 20
Mertz Theatre
By Steven Moffat
Directed by Peter Rothstein
From the writer of television’s Dr. Who, Sherlock, and Dracula comes a hilarious new play about an unwanted house guest. After twenty years of marriage, Peter and Debbie are enjoying a cruise and a break from their annoying teenagers, when they meet an eagerly friendly, but perhaps dangerous, fellow passenger named Elsa. Before you know it, she’s taken up residence in their suburban home. Asolo Rep stages the US premiere of this hugely entertaining and satirical look at the terrifying lengths we go just to be nice.
"One of the funniest plays to be seen on stage in a very long time... a killer comedy to die for." – What’s on Stage
Fiddler on the Roof
April 14 – May 24, 2026
Previews April 14 - 16
Open April 17
Mertz Theatre
Based on Sholem Aleichem’s stories, by special permission of Arnold Perl
Book by Joseph Stein
Music by Jerry Bock
Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick
Produced on the New York Stage by Harold Prince
Original New York Stage Production Directed & Choreographed by Jerome Robbins
Directed by Peter Rothstein
Choreography by Danny Pelzig
This beloved classic has delighted audiences across the globe for over six decades. Tevye, the village milkman, is trying to provide his wife and their five daughters with a life filled with prosperity, faith, and tradition. But a revolution is on the horizon and everything they have come to cherish hangs in the balance. One of the most beloved musicals of all time makes its long-awaited debut on the Asolo Rep stage.
“One of the great works of the American musical theatre. It is daring, touching, beautiful, warm, funny, and inspiring. It is a work of art.” - New York Sunday News
Marie and Rosetta
May 6 – May 31, 2026
Previews May 6 - 7
Open May 8
Cook Theatre
By George Brant
Featuring the Music of Rosetta Tharpe and Marie Knight
Directed by E. Faye Butler
Music Direction by Abdul-Hamid Royal-Garrett Johnson Esq.
A huge influence on Elvis Presley, Ray Charles, Johnny Cash and Jimi Hendrix, Sister Rosetta Tharpe was a legend in her time, adding fierce guitar and swing to traditional gospel music, becoming the mother of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Marie and Rosetta chronicle her first rehearsal with a young protégée, Marie Knight, as they prepare to embark on a tour that would establish them as one of the great duos in music history.
“Marie Knight and Rosetta Tharpe provided the foundation for Rock ‘n’ Roll. They also gifted the world with the foundation for this can’t-miss show.” - Chicago Sun-Times
Rolling World Premiere
Lady Disdain
June 6 – June 27, 2026
Previews June 6 – June 11
Open June 12
Mertz Theatre
By Lauren Gunderson
Directed by Sean Daniels
There’s much ado about something in this whip-smart, laugh-out-loud new romantic comedy from Lauren Gunderson. Lady Disdain is a fast-paced, razor-sharp riff on the deliciously dramatic world of Fantasy Romance novels (yes, those ones—you know them, you love them). Beatrice and Benedict, rival audiobook narrators with voices made for swooning and tempers made for sparring, are locked in a battle of wits, words, and wildly inconvenient attraction. Asolo Rep proudly presents this rolling world premiere from one of America’s most celebrated and funny playwrights.
“Shakespeare always reminds me to raise the stakes in my plays – bigger risks, bolder actions, grander scenarios, characters at the edge.” - Lauren Gunderson
TICKETS
Season ticket renewals are available now, with new subscriptions on sale May 12, 2025. Single show tickets will go on sale in September. For more information, visit AsoloRep.org or call 941.351.8000 or 800.361.8388.
ABOUT ASOLO REP
Now in its 67th season, Asolo Repertory Theatre is recognized as one of the premier professional theatres in America and one of the largest in the Southeastern United States. Each year, Asolo Rep presents a season of classics, contemporary drama, musicals, and world premieres. A theatre district in and of itself, Asolo Rep is committed to expanding its reach into the community, furthering its collaboration with the best theatre-makers working in the industry today, and cultivating the next generation of artists through its affiliation with the FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training. Under the new leadership of Producing Artistic Director Peter Rothstein and Managing Director Ross Egan, Asolo Rep’s ambitious theatrical offerings, commitment to new work, and ground-breaking education and engagement programs, ensure the company’s lasting legacy for future generations. Visit www.asolorep.org to learn more.