For theater lovers in Pittsburgh, 2025 is a year full of the promise of great shows. From national tours to community theater, well-worn favorites to world premieres, 2025’s stage calendar is quickly filling with highly anticipated productions. Here’s a look at shows for which you should get tickets as soon as possible.
Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh Series (Benedum Center, trustarts.org)
“Funny Girl” (Jan. 7-12) — Kick off the year with a hugely successful revival of the Broadway classic. “Funny Girl” is a “bittersweet comedy” filled to the brim with laughs, heartfelt moments and classic show tunes, including “Don’t Rain on My Parade” and “People.”
“Life of Pi” (Jan. 28-Feb. 2) — Based on the bestselling novel by Yann Martel, “Life of Pi” is an award-winning play full of dazzling puppetry and stagecraft. Following shipwrecked 16-year-old Pi and his unusual fellow survivors, this is a show for those ages 10 and up.
“Kimberly Akimbo” (March 4-9) — Laugh and cry along with the unusual coming-of-age story that won the 2023 Best Musical Tony Award. With songs, book and direction from some of Broadway’s top current creators, this is an unforgettable emotional rollercoaster of a show.
“Annie” (March 14-15) — Venture into the toe-tapping world of plucky orphan Annie in this beloved show, featuring a heartwarming rags-to-riches plot and those well-memorized favorite songs such as “It’s A Hard-Knock Life” and “Tomorrow.”
“Peter Pan” (April 1-6) — While the tale of the boy who never grows up has delighted audiences for decades, this new adaptation of “Peter Pan” will be even more thrilling for those who know and love the story — and those who have never seen it before.
“Some Like It Hot” (April 15-20) — Another new twist on a classic, “Some Like It Hot” is based on the 1959 film of the same name and will dazzle with laughs, dance and song. The show follows two men who must disguise their identities after witnessing a mob hit — and have quite an adventure along the way.
“Come From Away” (May 2-4) — An awe-inspiring musical based on the true story of a tiny Newfoundland town that had to take in thousands of stranded air travelers in the wake of Sept. 11, 2001, “Come From Away” was a seven-time Tony Award nominee. With lovely music inspired by the Canadian province and a cast of real, compelling characters, this show will reel you in.
Pittsburgh Public Theater (O’Reilly Theater, ppt.org)
“Trouble in Mind” (Feb. 5-23) — The Pittsburgh premiere of a satire about social issues and the difficult side of show business. Written by Alice Childress in 1955, this play took decades to make it to the Broadway stage and retains just as much relevance today as when it was penned. Pittsburgh Public Theater rates this play PG-13.
“Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” (March 19-April 6) — Take the chance to experience this Edward Albee play that’s considered a modern classic. Full of dark humor, biting wit and electrifying moments, “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” will be unsettling, fun, twisty and surprising. Rated MA and not recommended for children.
“Public Works Twelfth Night” (June 27-29) — Immerse yourself in Shakespeare’s comedy of love, farce and … music? This new adaptation adds a pop score to The Bard’s eternal words. Don’t miss this first collaborative and community-oriented Public Works program production.
Pittsburgh CLO (Benedum Center, pittsburghclo.org)
“Camelot” (June 17-22) — With a classic score and a timeless tale of love, “Camelot” will be a favorite for any generation. Whether you know it from the score or the 1967 Vanessa Redgrave film — or just becoming familiar with it now — this musical is a crowd-pleaser.
“Back to the Future” (July 1-6) — Based on the 1985 movie starring Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd, “Back to the Future” blazed its way onto Broadway and is now coming to Pittsburgh CLO.
“Frozen” (July 18-27) — Cool off during the summer heat with this modern Disney classic, now brought to the stage. Follow Anna and Elsa on their snow-bound adventures and witness the wintry magic of the inescapable song “Let It Go.”
City Theatre Company (citytheatrecompany.org)
“The Real James Bond … Was Dominican” (Jan. 18-Feb. 16) — This one-man show written and performed by Christopher Rivas is musical, immersive and surprising — with the biggest surprise of all being the revelation that Ian Fleming did, in fact, base James Bond on Dominican spy, diplomat, race car driver and international polo champion Porfirio Rubirosa.
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“Birthday Candles” (March 8-30) — Experience a lifetime of one woman’s birthdays, watching as she dreams, hopes and searches for her place in the world. The show’s successful Broadway production starred Debra Messing, and City Theatre’s production is bound to catch the same magic.
“King James” (April 19-May 11) — Finishing its season with a collaboration with Cleveland Playhouse, City Theatre presents this sports buddy comedy that explores the impact of athletic legends like basketball player LeBron James. Taking place over 12 years, this poignant and funny production is perfect for sports fans and non-fans alike.
Pittsburgh Playhouse (playhouse.pointpark.edu)
“Jerry’s Girls” (Feb. 19-23) — Who doesn’t love a musical revue? This will be an evening of songs for women from classic musicals, from “Mame” to “Hello Dolly!” to “La Cage Aux Folles.” Sit back and enjoy some favorite tunes.
“12 Ophelias (a play with broken songs)” (March 26-30) — Take a leap with an unusual reimagining of Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” takes a revived Ophelia to a whole new world. Discovering herself in neo-Appalachia, she must cut a new path for herself.
“Legally Blonde: The Musical” (April 9-13) — Based on the 2001 romantic comedy film, “Legally Blonde” is a sparkling, bubbly tale that follows Elle Woods on her journey from California sorority girl to Harvard-educated lawyer.
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre (pbt.org)
“Romeo and Juliet” (Feb. 14-16) — Valentine’s Day is a perfect time to enjoy this Shakespearean tale of star-crossed lovers. Told entirely through dance, this new perspective on the world’s most famous romance is both fresh and classic.
“The Wizard of Oz” (May 9-18) — Follow the Yellow Brick Road to this Technicolor ballet where Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion will journey to the Emerald City. With awe-inspiring music, sets, costumes and dance, this will be a family favorite.
Pittsburgh Musical Theater (pittsburghmusicals.com)
“The SpongeBob Musical: Youth Edition” (Feb. 27-March 2) — A PMT Young Artist Production, swim to Bikini Bottom for a hit musical that follows everyone’s favorite square yellow sponge through a series of songs written by big-time pop artists including Cyndi Lauper, The Flaming Lips, Steven Tyler, Joe Perry and Sara Bareilles.
“Jesus Christ Superstar” (April 3-13) — Just in time for Easter, this Andrew Lloyd Webber rock opera tells the story of the passion of Jesus. With powerful, unforgettable songs, this show is moving and exhilarating.
“Waitress” (May 1-25) — Speaking of Sara Bareilles, she adapted the 2007 film “Waitress” into a huge hit Broadway musical in 2015, and this PMT production is its regional premiere. It’s a funny but bittersweet musical about love, pie, and finding the things about yourself that you thought you’d lost.
Other companies to check out
Pittsburgh is overflowing with great on-stage productions. Here are more companies and seasons to look into.
Pittsburgh Opera has three upcoming productions this spring, including the beloved “Madame Butterfly.”
The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra has a packed calendar, including performances of music from “Star Wars,” the 1980s and boy bands, as well as from composers including Mozart and Beethoven.
Pittsburgh Playwrights in the Hill District will mount three productions this year, including “Art of Wise” by the company’s founder and artistic director, Mark Clayton Southers, and August Wilson’s “Two Trains Running.”
barebones productions in Braddock will produce the play “Unreconciled” from Jan. 31 to Feb. 16, a dramatic and at times humorous look at trauma, surviving and finding your voice.
Prime Stage Theatre will bring challenging, captivating and enlightening productions based on classic literature to the New Hazlett Theater on the North Side.
Quantum Theatre will stage the American premiere of “The Return of Benjamin Lay” at the Braddock Carnegie Library from Jan. 31 to Feb. 23, examining the story of a revolutionary abolitionist fighting against slavery.
Front Porch Theatricals will deliver a pair of musicals at the New Hazlett Theater this summer. “Baby” and Sondheim’s “Sunday in the Park with George” are bound to delight crowds.
Riverfront Theater Company — performing in Allegheny RiverTrail Park — has three shows in 2025 during their Sapphire Anniversary Season, including a youth production of ABBA jukebox musical “Mamma Mia!”