The Lied Center of Kansas announced the 2026–27 season lineup on Sunday, May 3, to the Friends of the Lied at the annual Season Announcement Party.
The new season, which kicks off in September, features artists and groups such as Lyle Lovett, Rhiannon Giddens, Straight No Chaser and Mariachi Herencia de México, as well as author and humorist David Sedaris. Additionally, the national Broadway tours of “Waitress,” “The Book of Mormon” and “Legally Blonde The Musical” will be presented on the Lied Center stage, with an additional Broadway show to be announced on June 8. The Family Series performances this season include “Curious George: The Golden Meatball,” Cirque Kalabanté and Popovich Comedy Pet Theater. The Folk, Chamber Music and Just Friends Jazz Series shows will also continue in the intimate setting of the Lied Center Pavilion.
Lied Center Executive Director Derek Kwan comments: “The upcoming season consists of over 30 distinct programs ranging from Tony-winning Broadway hits and Grammy winners to a Pulitzer Prize winner and New York Times bestselling author. We invite the community to explore the diverse programming. Beyond these performances, my favorite Lied Center activities are our free education programs, which will continue and grow in the new season. School-only performances reach every student in Lawrence Public Schools annually. Third Grade Theatre Arts Day welcomes hundreds of third graders across four full days to learn about performance production. Our programs at Kennedy Early Childhood Center bring performing arts education to some of our community’s youngest residents. And we are working to expand Lied Across Kansas from eight to twelve arts-underserved areas in the state.”
Tickets for the 2026–27 season are on sale now to Friends of the Lied and KU students, by phone and at the Ticket Office. Individual show tickets go on sale to the general public on Monday, June 8, by phone, at the Ticket Office and lied.ku.edu. Those interested in becoming a Friend of the Lied for advance ticket sales can visit lied.ku.edu/donate or call 785-864-2787 to learn more.