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The Program: Mark your calendar for these September SoCal performances for 2026.
Note: Though hours and formats are updated regularly, they can change without notice; best to confirm at venue websites.
SAN DIEGO SYMPHONY
Tchaikovsky Spectacular
Aug. 30. Conductor Enluis Montes Olivar leads the San Diego Symphony in a program featuring Capriccio Italien, the sweeping Piano Concerto No. 1 with Grammy-nominated pianist Joyce Yang. The evening celebration of Tchaikovsky’s music will feature a fireworks display. The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, 222 Marina Park Way, San Diego. theshell.org
A NOISE WITHIN
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
Through Sept. 20. Set in a Chicago recording studio in the 1920’s, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is a powerful, intimate portrait of artistry, identity, and control. It is the story of a legendary blues singer and her journey through music, truth, ambition, and the realities of race in America. 3352 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena. anoisewithin.org
HOLLYWOOD BOWL
Dvořák & Bruch
Sept. 1. Anja Bihlmaier reunites with world-renowned South Korean violinist Bomsori for an evening of remembrance and rapture beginning with beyond the beyond by the late pianist, composer, and educator Sarah Gibson. 2301 N. Highland Ave., Los Angeles. hollywoodbowl.com
CENTER THEATRE GROUP
The Turning
Sept. 8-Oct. 17. In this world premiere folk-infused mystery-box musical, best friends Gracie and Nora leave Los Angeles for a secluded wellness retreat in the California wilderness—where seductive self-help rituals test the limits of their courage, their friendship, and how far we are willing to go to heal. Mark Taper Forum, 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. centertheatregroup.org
HOLLYWOOD BOWL
Amadeus in Concert
Sept. 3. Experience Miloš Forman’s multi-Academy Award-winning phenomenon Amadeus (1984) while the Los Angeles Philharmonic performs the score of celebrated Mozart works live to picture. 2301 N. Highland Ave., Los Angeles. hollywoodbowl.com
HOLLYWOOD BOWL
Maestro of the Movies: A Tribute to John Williams
Sept. 4-6. Celebrate the man who has composed the soundtrack to our lives with selections from iconic scores—Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Harry Potter, Jaws, Jurassic Park, and more. 2301 N. Highland Ave., Los Angeles. hollywoodbowl.com
SAN DIEGO SYMPHONY
Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, & Dizzy Gillespie—“A Night in Tunisia” and More
Sept. 5. Experience the electrifying rhythms and timeless melodies of Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins and Dizzy Gillespie led by San Diego Symphony Jazz Curator Gilbert Castellanos. The concert celebrates the roots and evolution of Latin Jazz back to Gillespie’s historic collaboration with Cuban percussionist Chano Pozo, whose innovative partnership sparked a musical revolution. The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, 222 Marina Park Way, San Diego. theshell.org
THE OLD GLOBE
Begin Again, A New Musical
Sept. 6-Oct. 11. World-premiere, pre-Broadway production based on the film about two unlikely dreamers who discover music has the power to change everything. When Gretta, a gifted but heartbroken songwriter, crosses paths with Dan, a record producer on the brink of burnout, their chance encounter sparks an unexpected collaboration that transforms them both. Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage, Old Globe Theatre, 1363 Old Globe Way, San Diego. theoldglobe.org
CENTER THEATRE GROUP
Clue
Sept.8-12. Clue returns to the Ahmanson for one week only with it’s comedic take on the fan-favorite 1985 Paramount Pictures movie that was inspired by the classic Hasbro board game. Clue will keep you guessing until the final twist. Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles.centertheatregroup.org
HOLLYWOOD BOWL
Los Angeles Ballet at the Bowl
Sept. 8. Los Angeles Ballet makes its Bowl debut alongside the Los Angeles Philharmonic led by Conductor Carlos Miguel Prieto. 2301 N. Highland Ave., Los Angeles. hollywoodbowl.com
HOLLYWOOD BOWL
Buddy Guy 90
Sept. 9. Celebrate as one of the greatest blues guitarists of all time turns 90. The nine-time Grammy winner’s musical influence has impacted The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, and more. 2301 N. Highland Ave., Los Angeles. hollywoodbowl.com
PASADENA PLAYHOUSE
The Visit
Sept. 9-Oct 4. A rich woman returns to her struggling hometown and wants to rescue it from ruin. In this twisted comedy, an entire community is forced to confront an unthinkable question: how far is one willing to go for a billion dollars? Pasadena Playhouse, 39 S. Molino Ave., Pasadena. pasadenaplayhouse.org
HOLLYWOOD BOWL
Ravel, Debussy & Saint-Saëns
Sept. 10. Maestro Philippe Jordan and pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet combine forces for an enchanting and exciting night of French music. A highlight of the evening’s program is the simple yet genius Boléro and Saint-Saëns dramatic Bacchanale from Samson and Delilah. 2301 N. Highland Ave., Los Angeles. hollywoodbowl.com
SEGERSTROM CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Krysta Rodriguez
Sept. 10-12. The cabaret season begins with OC hometown hero Krysta Rodriguez’s Segerstrom Center debut. Known for her vibrant and joyfully expressive vocals, Rodriguez’s Broadway credits include Spring Awakening, In the Heights, The Addams Family, and First Date. She will reflect on the roles, artists, and experiences that have shaped her career, with a program that features her signature humor and heartfelt storytelling. Samueli Theater, 615 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa. scfta.org
SOUTH COAST REPERTORY
Into The Woods
Sept 12-Oct. 10. With a Tony Award-winning book and score, this poignant musical comedy masterpiece celebrates its 40th anniversary with a fabulous new SCR production. Follow the Baker and his wife into the woods and encounter your familiar storybook characters like Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, and Jack. Segerstrom Stage, 655 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa. scr.org
SAN DIEGO SYMPHONY
Buddy Guy 90
Sept. 11. San Diego celebrates the 90th birthday of the most influential guitarists in American music, Buddy Guy. The nine-time Grammy winner and recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Grammy is an American music icon. The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, 222 Marina Park Way, San Diego. theshell.org
CENTER THEATRE GROUP
Dog Man: The Musical
Sept. 12-Oct. 18. Based on the worldwide bestselling hit series by Dav Pilkey, Dog Man: The Musical is a hilarious and heartwarming production following the chronicles of Dog Man, who, with the head of a dog and the body of a policeman, loves to fight crime and chew on the furniture. Kirk Douglas Theatre, 9820 Washington Blvd., Culver City. centertheatregroup.org
HOLLYWOOD BOWL
Lucy Dacus with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra
Sept. 13. Grammy-winning singer and songwriter Lucy Dacus returns to the Hollywood Bowl stage for a solo debut with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, performing fan favorites and songs from her new album Forever is a Feeling. 2301 N. Highland Ave., Los Angeles. hollywoodbowl.com
LA JOLLA PLAYHOUSE
Black-Billed Cuckoo
Sept. 15-Oct. 11. Over 24 hours in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park, a close-knit birding group is thrown into chaos when some members glimpse a rare bird, and others don’t. Award-winning playwright Mat Smart introduces us to a fascinating community of people who revel in the idea that any given day might bring something they’ve never seen before. This world-premiere play is a quiet comedy about healing, wonder, and how to move on after missing out.. Forum Theatre, 2910 La Jolla Village Dr., La Jolla. lajollaplayhouse.org
SAN DIEGO SYMPHONY
“Weird Al” Yankovic: Bigger & Weirder 2026 Tour
Sept. 16. “Weird Al” Yankovic brings his legendary full-production multimedia comedy rock show back to The Rady Shell, playing his iconic hits as well as some never-performed-live-before fan favorites. The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, 222 Marina Park Way, San Diego. theshell.org
BROADSTAGE
Nat Geo Live: Diving the Great Barrier Reef
Sept. 17. Go on assignment with marine biologist Erika Woolsey to explore the harsh truth: the Great Barrier Reef is under attack. There is plenty to see and plenty to save in this underwater jungle, including the most colorful residents you will ever see. 1310 11th St., Santa Monica. broadstage.org
HOLLYWOOD BOWL
Orville Peck
Sept. 18. This country-music crooner, who has collaborated with everyone from Elton John to Willie Nelson to Kylie Minogue makes his Hollywood Debut. 2301 N. Highland Ave., Los Angeles. hollywoodbowl.com
SAN DIEGO SYMPHONY
The Sixties Show
Sept. 18. This popular, award-winning Off-Broadway production delivers a high-energy, multimedia experience that transports audiences back in time. The program promises to be a night of nostalgia. The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, 222 Marina Park Way, San Diego. theshell.org
LA MIRADA THEATRE
Little Shop of Horrors
Sept. 18-Oct. 11. The smash Broadway musical that has captured the hearts of theatregoers for over 40 years comes to La Mirada Theatre. Based on the hit film, Little Shop of Horrors tells the story of a down-and-out floral assistant who becomes an overnight sensation after discovering an exotic plant with an appetite for blood. 14900 La Mirada Blvd., La Mirada. lamiradatheatre.com
BROADSTAGE
Sugaray Rayford
Sept. 19. GRAMMY Award nominee and four-time Blues Music Award winner Sugaray Rayford opens the 2026/27 blackbox series. The Plaza comes alive with Rayford’s blend of classic soul melodies, funky R&B grooves, and raw blues. 1310 11th St., Santa Monica. broadstage.org
SEGERSTROM CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Arturo O’Farrill & Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra
Sept. 19. Arturo O’Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra open the 2026/27 Jazz series with the full force of Afro-Cuban rhythm, modern jazz harmony, and big-band brilliance. This opening night performance is also the inaugural performance for Artist-in-Residence O’Farrill, who sets the tone for a season driven by excellence, energy, and forward momentum. Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa. scfta.org
BROADSTAGE
The Rev’s Family Dance Party
Sept. 20. BroadStage Sundays with The Reverend Shawn Amos is a high-energy celebration that is equal parts concert and soul-stirring dance party. His performances are filled with unforgettable roots, rhythm, and joyful blues. 1310 11th St., Santa Monica. broadstage.org
SEGERSTROM CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast
Sept. 22-Oct. 11. Disney’s first North American touring production of the beloved musical in over 25 years. This enchanting and timeless tale, filled with the romance and grandeur audiences know and love, has been brought to life like never before, with spectacular new sets and dazzling costumes. Segerstrom Hall, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa. scfta.org
BROADSTAGE
Kaiju
Sept. 22-Nov. 1. In partnership with A Road Theatre, BroadStage presents Kaiju, a satirical take on the destruction of monster movies through two 250-foot-tall monsters who debate the morality of the destruction they caused. The Road Theatre Company, 10747 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood. broadstage.org
HOLLYWOOD BOWL
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis
Sept. 23. In his final season as Artistic Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center and Music Director of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Wynton Marsalis reimagines the music of jazz master’s for the Bowl audience. Saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin opens the night with a celebration of John Coltrane’s centennial. 2301 N. Highland Ave., Los Angeles. hollywoodbowl.com
HOLLYWOOD BOWL
Jon Bellion
Sept. 24. Grammy-nominated songwriter and producer Jon Bellion has shaped the soundtracks of global superstars such as Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Dua Lipa, and more. He makes his Hollywood Bowl debut and gets honest and intimate with his most personal project yet after he stormed into the spotlight with his 2025 album FATHER FIGURE. 2301 N. Highland Ave., Los Angeles. hollywoodbowl.com
PACIFIC SYMPHONY
Violin Virtuoso Joshua Bell and Alexander Shelley
Sept. 24. Violinist Joshua Bell, under the baton of Artistic and Music Director Alexander Shelley, opens the 20th anniversary season of Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall and 40 years of Segerstrom Center for the Arts. At the center of the program is Lalo’s Symphonie Espagnole, a dance-infused, virtuoso showcase for violin and orchestra. Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa.pacificsymphony.org
THE WALLIS
Joshua Redman Quartet
Sept. 25. Joshua Redman returns with a new program that kicks off the season with instrumental storytelling. Words Fall Short is brought to life by a new quartet featuring pianist Paul Cornish, bassist Philip Norris, and drummer Nazir Ebo, with special guest Skylar Tang. Bram Goldsmith Theater, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills. thewallis.org
THE OLD GLOBE
Topdog/Underdog
Sept. 25-Oct. 18. Brothers Lincoln and Booth hustle for survival through the street con game of three-card monte. Their bond is tested by rivalry, resentment, and the elusive promise of the American Dream. Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, 1363 Old Globe Way, San Diego. theoldglobe.org
SAN DIEGO SYMPHONY
My Hero Academia in Concert
Sept. 26. Celebrate 10 years of My Hero Academia with a powerful 15-piece live band performing Yuki Hayashi’s iconic score. The concert seamlessly blends dynamic music with striking visuals of the anime’s most memorable scenes, creating a fully immersive journey that puts fans in the heart of the action. Jacobs Music Center, 1245 Seventh Ave., San Diego. sandiegosymphony.org
LA MASTER CHORALE
25 Years of Glorious Music: The Season Premiere of Grant Gershon’s Silver Anniversary
Sept 27. LA Master Chorale kicks off the 2026/27 season with a celebration of Grant Gershon’s Silver Anniversary season featuring the music of Johannes Brahms and Anton Bruckner, complete with nearly 100 singers and orchestra. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeleslamasterchorale.org
SEGERSTROM CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Attacca Quartet
Sept. 27. Known for their clarity, rhythmic vitality, and fearless programming, Attacca pairs Beethoven’s monumental Op. 31 with music by Caroline Shaw, Paul Wiancko, and even Radiohead, revealing the throughlines that connect centuries of musical thought. This opening concert sets the tone for a season that honors Beethoven as both an origin point and a living influence. Samueli Theater, 615 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa. scfta.org
THE WALLIS
LACO: Movement(s)!
Sept. 27. The LACO season opens at The Wallis with a high-voltage orchestral celebration of dance led by LA Opera’s first Colombian-American conductor, Lina González-Granados, and featuring countertenor, John Holiday. The program will feature the world premiere of Carlos Simon’s The After Party! A tribute to the enduring legacy of Black American music and the centennial of the Harlem Renaissance. Bram Goldsmith Theater, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills. thewallis.org
HOLLYWOOD BOWL
Rubén Blades & Roberto Delgado Big Band: Fotografías Tour • Silvana Estrada
Sept. 30. The 12-time Grammy and 13-time Latin Grammy winner, Rubén Blades brings a political conscience and sense of connection to his music that still gets people grooving. Silvana Estrada sings from down deep, telling her soulful coming-of-age stories in a voice that embraces the legacy of Latin American song and carries into the 21st century. The 2022 Latin Grammy winner for Best New Artist plays the Venezuelan cuatro guitar and sings iconoclastic tales that cut straight to the heart. 2301 N. Highland Ave., Los Angeles. hollywoodbowl.comThe White Album), faithfully recreating every track. The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, 222 Marina Park Way, San Diego. theshell.org
Photo Credits: All images are courtesy of the venues and businesses featured.
