Memphis Local, Sports, Business & Food News | Daily Memphian | Arts & Culture - Performing Arts

Memphis takes center stage before more than 550 arts funders

blagrone@dailymemphian.com (Brandon LaGrone II) — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 16:41:24 -0500

More than 550 arts funders from across the country are in Memphis this week for a national conference examining how investments into local artists and organizations can strengthen communities.

UFO dresses, flying-monkey wings and a killer's jacket? Playhouse costume sale has it all.

jcallahan@dailymemphian.com (Jody Callahan) — Sat, 17 Oct 2026 15:42:39 -0500

Playhouse on the Square held its annual clothing and prop sale Saturday. Shoppers included the owner of a new costume shop at the site of the old Mr. Lincoln’s in Overton Square.

Holiday movie set in Memphis to premiere on OWN

smcdermott@dailymemphian.com (Sophie McDermott) — Thu, 15 Oct 2026 17:30:57 -0500

Memphis will take center stage this holiday season in the Oprah Winfrey Network’s new dance-driven movie “Tapping into Christmas.”

Broadway hit ‘Oh, Mary!’ coming to Memphis

smcdermott@dailymemphian.com (Sophie McDermott) — Wed, 7 Oct 2026 04:00:05 -0500

The award-winning comedy that reimagines Mary Todd Lincoln in the weeks before her husband’s assassination will stop in Memphis.

Arts Beat: Creator behind 'A Different World' sequel to give talk in Memphis

eperry@dailymemphian.com (Elle Perry) — Fri, 2 Oct 2026 10:09:42 -0500

Felicia Pride’s talk is a little more than a week after her “A Different World” sequel series debuted on Netflix. It’s currently the platform’s most-watched TV show.

Arts Beat: Summoning fall

eperry@dailymemphian.com (Elle Perry) — Thu, 24 Sep 2026 12:12:34 -0500

What event or festival embodies fall in Memphis to you?

Mystery, ghosts and music play on Memphis stages

adrake@dailymemphian.com (Alys Drake) — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 16:27:02 -0500

“Clue” graces the Orpheum Theatre’s stage this month along with “The Sound of Music” at the Harrell Performing Arts Theatre and more.

Dinosaurs, trains, Phoebe Bridgers and a dive-in movie at a city pool

adrake@dailymemphian.com (Alys Drake) — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 09:49:29 -0500

In this week’s To-Do List, John Legend is live at the Garden, a “Matrix” actor stars in a Hattiloo play and you can get a sneak peek at Stomping Grounds.

Photo Gallery: 'Suffs' actress visits Memphis Suffrage Monument

editors@dailymemphian.com ( The Daily Memphian Staff) — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 10:11:29 -0500

“Suffs,” which runs at the Orpheum Theatre July 31-Aug. 2, highlights the Black activists behind the women’s suffrage movement, including two Memphians.

Orpheum adds 3 shows to 2026-27 Broadway season

adrake@dailymemphian.com (Alys Drake) — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 20:06:42 -0500

The Orpheum is expanding its run of shows this season with a Tony Award winner, a global phenomenon and the musical version of a beloved film.

For decades, Hattiloo has been a landmark of Black theater. Soon, it will become a 'cultural village.'

ataylor@dailymemphian.com (Amaya Taylor) — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 05:34:08 -0500

Karaoke, spoken-word poetry, comedy showcases: With three new spaces and five new programs, Hattiloo Theatre is growing in Midtown.

Arts Beat: Here’s who’s up for the best in Memphis theater

editors@dailymemphian.com ( The Daily Memphian Staff) — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 09:08:28 -0500

Celebrating the best in Memphis theater for the 2025-2026 season, this year’s Ostrander Awards take place at the Scheidt Family Performing Arts Center.

Collierville student wins at National High School Musical Theatre Awards in New York

adrake@dailymemphian.com (Alys Drake) — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 17:09:47 -0500

The ceremony — hosted by Bowen Yang, formerly of “Saturday Night Live” — followed a 10-day intensive that included coaching sessions, training and rehearsals led by Broadway professionals. Participants come from 58 programs across the U.S.

Opera Memphis announces 2026-27 season featuring classics, premieres, and free citywide events

adrake@dailymemphian.com (Alys Drake) — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 05:23:14 -0500

The mainstage season opens Oct. 24 with “Rigoletto” at the Cannon Center in collaboration with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra.

A new act for Humes: Arts and tech school planned for Elvis' alma mater

Ltestino@dailymemphian.com (Laura Testino) — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 07:28:43 -0500

Local dance director Katie Smythe’s new performing arts school recently bought Humes Middle, Elvis Presley’s alma mater in North Memphis.

Overton Park Shell 'Shell-ebrates' 90 years with free fall shows

eperry@dailymemphian.com (Elle Perry) — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 16:29:55 -0500

The lineup includes celebrations for the Shell, Hattiloo and Opera Memphis; festivals like Gonerfest; and concerts like Drivin N Cryin.

'Legally Blonde' and ‘Falsettos’ musicals opening in Memphis

adrake@dailymemphian.com (Alys Drake) — Fri, 5 Jun 2026 14:11:17 -0500

Theatre Memphis and Germantown Community Theatre are producing musicals that open Friday.

With 'Beauty and the Beast' in town, Gaston plays tour guide and Cogsworth is a duckmaster

blagrone@dailymemphian.com (Brandon LaGrone II) — Wed, 3 Jun 2026 14:32:27 -0500

A Memphis native has returned home to take the Orpheum stage — and help his castmates find a good place to eat. Plus, the Peabody ducks are keeping time with the help of a new clock.

Collierville students lead Orpheum musical theater honors

adrake@dailymemphian.com (Alys Drake) — Sat, 23 May 2026 04:00:03 -0500

The Collierville wins came on a night that brought together students from 56 schools across Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas and Missouri.

'Primary Trust' and 'Collective Rage' are in Memphis theaters

adrake@dailymemphian.com (Alys Drake) — Fri, 8 May 2026 11:58:46 -0500

Playhouse on the Square’s production of the Pulitzer prize-winning play “Primary Trust” opens at the Circuit Playhouse Friday, May 8.