There was an air of anticipation and curiosity as people, dressed in fancy, festive garb, made their way across the mini red carpet leading to the Hafen Indoor Theatre for the 2026-2027 Tuacahn Season Reveal on Sept. 12.
The guesses and hopeful predictions from various attendees ranged from shows like Cinderella and Moana to Grease and A Beautiful Noise. Many guests referenced the patron survey sent out by Tuacahn as a basis for their predictions, but even with those options running through their heads, the evening was full of surprises.
“We came because we have been season package holders for three or four years, and we love it!” said Gary Graves. “It’s just so beautiful here. But we’ve heard no rumors about the shows.”
Fellow season package holder, Dale Spencer, agreed.
“The reveal is always fun. It gets you pumped for the next season,” he said.
With that sort of excitement in the air, Scott Anderson, producing artistic director for Tuacahn, took the stage to announce what will be his 22nd season with Tuacahn, and Tuacahn’s 31st.
“I promise you, you’re going to love this,” he said, reveling in his ability to drag the anticipation out for just a moment longer before adding that the first show on his list is something no one has seen in a theater before: Disney & Pixar’s Finding Nemo: A 70-minute Family Musical.
“This has never been performed in a professional theater outside of the Disney Parks before,” Anderson said, adding the shorter 70-minute one-act format will allow parents of younger children to enjoy this exciting, family production while still getting kids home a little earlier for bed.
“We will not spare any of the things we do in all our full productions,” Anderson said.
Tuacahn’s next reveal was met with even more enthusiastic applause as the familiar image of Les Misérables filled the screen and the notes of “Bring Him Home,” sung by current Tuacahn actor Randal Keith, melted over the crowd.
“I am so ready to see Les Mis again,” said Marsha Bowler, who attended the event. “If you have to repeat, that is the perfect repeat.”
The announcement that Tuacahn will once more bring Grease to the stage was met with equal enthusiasm, as Anderson told audiences this is one of the most requested shows by every age group in their surveys.
The excitement didn’t end with the Outdoor Amphitheatre announcements, however. Patrons were thrilled with the revelation that another Irving Berlin Christmas musical is coming their way, this time Holiday Inn in December 2026, and Tuacahn’s first non-musical production has people looking forward to January 2027 for The Play That Goes Wrong.
“We are pleasantly surprised,” said Dale Spencer as he filed out of the auditorium. “We voted for both Grease and Les Mis.”
Positive murmurs around the auditorium and the Hafen Theatre foyer indicated there really was something for everyone revealed for the upcoming season.
“I was in tears,” Kim Miller, patron, said of the entire reveal event. “I get emotional about people’s amazing talents and to hear the songs from each of these shows… I’m definitely excited to come back and see them.”
Anna Mae Jorgensen and her daughter Betty Jorgensen, age 10, were excited about all of the shows, but Betty said she is particularly looking forward to Finding Nemo and hopes she will have the chance to audition for a part.
MaKae Doxey echoed what many guests had to say about Les Misérables — that she saw it at Tuacahn in 2008 and can’t wait to see it again.
“I thought it was better (at Tuacahn) than the national tour,” she said.
With approximately 300 people attending the in-person reveal, and more than 500 watching the live stream, Anderson said the reaction to the announcement was, “as big as I’ve seen for a season.”
“I think this season is going to be huge for us,” said Stephanie Finck, marketing director for Tuacahn. “When you look at the five shows, there really is something for everyone.”
If you didn’t get a chance to watch the reveal live, check out the recorded stream at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52j2xa9AT_A And then don’t forget to get your tickets to the 2026-2027 season of Tuacahn. Season packages go on sale Nov. 5. For more information go online to www.tuacahn.org or call the box office at 435-652-3300.
photo credit: Aubrey Maxwell