A new production focused on the Lion King story and a Christmas classic are part of the Cumberland County Playhouse’s 2026 season.
Producing Director/CEO Bryce McDonald said the Playhouse selected “The Lion King Jr.” and “It’s A Wonderful Life” for their ability to connect a room full of people and families with one another. Five months ago, the Playhouse added new, cushioned chairs to the 60-year-old main stage auditorium and black box theater. McDonald said they also added a new sound system to both theaters.
“But excited that, you know, as your team works more and more with equipment, you learn more about it and you get better at it,” McDonald said. “So, excited to put this new lineup of 2026 shows in with the new seats and the new sound system, I think will be great.”
McDonald said the organization chose a variety of productions for the year, hoping to connect with as many people as possible. McDonald will direct two of the productions this year, Heartbreak Hotel and the Addams Family.
McDonald said shows like these stir emotions within the crowd and the performers.
“We felt could show the importance of human connection,” McDonald said. “Which reflects on what are mission is, which is to have such strong community based story telling about all the different communities that surround us in Tennessee and across the world.”
The lineup begins with “The Lion King Jr.,” followed by “Deathtrap,” “The Marvelous Wonderettes: Dream On,” “A Little Bit Country, A Little Bit Rock ‘n Roll,” “Walking Across Egypt,” “Shrek the Musical,” “Heartbreak Hotel,” “The Fox on the Fairway,” “The Addams Family,” “Sh-Boom! A Christmas Miracle” and the season ends with “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play.”
“I love everything that’s in the season, and I think that it’s a really great lineup,” McDonald said. “And I’m so excited to share it with everybody.”
