What Broadway shows are coming to Austin this season?
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas Performing Arts recently released its newest season of shows making a stop at Bass Concert Hall on the University of Texas Campus. The season has a mix of classic musicals and new hits, from Mamma Mia to Six: The Musical.
Freddy Vela spoke with Executive and Artistic Director Bob Bursey about the lineup and how their connection to UT gives students a chance to experience Broadway shows right here in Austin.
Read an edited version of the conversation below or use the video player above to listen.
Freddy Vela: What are some of the shows that have been announced for this season?
Bob Bursey, Executive and Artistic Direct for Texas Performing Arts: We’ve got an incredible season of 10 shows coming to Broadway in Austin next season. We’re starting off with Tony Award winners and new musicals like The Outsiders, based on the book many of us read in school. It’s an incredible new production. There’s also Kimberly Akimbo, a really quirky and funny show, and a big Disney musical — Beauty and the Beast.
We’re also bringing in classics for the whole family like The Sound of Music and Mamma Mia, which everybody loves. Plus, we’re bringing back a few audience favorites that have been to Austin before, like Hadestown and Six.
Vela: I love that you brought up some of the classics, including The Sound of Music. How important is it to preserve historic musicals like Mamma Mia and The Sound of Music, and strike a balance with newer shows?
Bursey: That’s a great question. When we’re putting together our Broadway in Austin season, we aim to have something for everyone. Many people buy season subscriptions, which can include up to 10 musicals, so it’s important to have a mix.
Including shows like The Sound of Music and The Wiz — which many remember from the movie or from seeing it when they were younger — helps us offer experiences the whole family can enjoy. It’s about passing on the tradition of Broadway to the next generation.
Vela: One of the really interesting aspects is that Texas Performing Arts is part of the UT System. How does that influence your decisions on which shows to bring in, especially from an academic standpoint?
Bursey: That’s right — we’re part of UT Austin and based in Bass Concert Hall, right there on the Forty Acres. Being on a university campus means education is central to everything we do.
We look at how students can be involved, whether that’s shadowing stage managers backstage or accessing discounted tickets to see Broadway for the first time. And it’s not just university students — we also work with K–12 schools. We host special daytime performances of our Broadway shows, and we’ve had students travel from over 100 miles away to attend. It’s a great way to introduce young people to theater.
Vela: That’s amazing to hear. So when does the new season officially kick off, and where can people go to find more information?
Bursey: For anyone who can’t wait, Moulin Rouge! The Musical is playing through this Sunday —it’s a spectacular show. The new 2025-2026 Broadway in Austin season kicks off in September and runs through July 2026.
You can find more information at broadwayinaustin.com or texasperformingarts.org to see everything we’re doing at Bass Concert Hall.
