The 2026 Spring Arts Preview: Our picks in Theater

Did somebody order a premiere? World premieres rule the stage this spring, bringing fresh material to theater-goers. Here, our theater critics weigh in on what they can’t wait to see.

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The world premiere musical Basura at Alliance Theatre, May 30 to July 12, is worth seeing just for the appearance of multiple Grammy award-winner Gloria Estefan, who is joining forces with her singer-songwriter daughter Emily to write the music and lyrics. Yet it also sounds intriguing. 

The new work is based on the 2015 documentary film Landfill Harmonic, directed by Brad Allgood, Juliana Penaranda-Loftus and Graham Townsley. It’s the true story of Paraguay’s Recycled Orchestra, which a music teacher started for students. The ensemble members of the troupe used unorthodox objects — such as empty paint cans, a fork and a bent license plate — and turned them into instruments to create music. 

The show is directed by Michael Greif, who has been the driving force behind such blockbusters as Rent and Dear Evan Hansen, and has an all-star creative team. 
— Jim Farmer 

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As one of the final pieces in its season, Aurora Theatre will produce Initiative, March 26 through April 19, a world premiere play by Jacob York about mortality, friendship and imagination. The play focuses on Dave, a young man in his late 20s battling aggressive cancer, who begins to worry about all the milestones he will miss if he loses that battle. Facing down his own mortality, he decides to sit down with his loved ones for one last game of Dungeons & Dragons, where he might play out all of the moments he fears he won’t live to see. 

Running March 26 through April 19, this inventive new production will explore how imaginative play can help us cope with the worst that life throws at us and promises to be equal parts tearjerker and nerdy fantasy romp.
— Luke Evans 

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In Spite of My Ambivalence, a world premiere from Chicago-based playwright Catherine Yu, will take the stage June 5 through June 28 at Synchronicity Theatre. Exploring the complexity of trauma through the lens of five individuals, the play’s intriguing overview drops hints at PTSD, mental health, dance and human connection without elaborating much on a plot.

Known for recruiting outside the organization to provide expertise and conversation on the subject matter of its plays, Synchronicity will partner with mental health professionals for the production. “We plan to host industry nights for mental health care providers, offer panels and provide resources for patrons,” said co-founder and producing artistic director Rachel May. “With dance partners, we will host a discussion amongst dancers about mental health and how physical trauma can impact how they use their bodies.”
— Sally Fuller

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Venus, the newest play from native Atlanta playwright Steve Yockey, will be staged at Actor’s Express from April 9 to May 3. It’s directed by Melissa Foulger, who also directed Mercury there in 2024. The play focuses on two women who meet-cute at a book club and decide to go on a date, but things spiral into dangerous territory after a minor disagreement exposes their insecurities about relationships.

Suehyla E. Young and Kate Donadio-MacQueen will star in the play, reuniting from the developmental production at Theatrical Outfit’s Launchpad last year.

“I’m thrilled that it’s the same cast and director who initially helped develop the play in the Launchpad program at Theatrical Outfit,” Yockey said. “Getting to see it fully realized with those folks — I can’t wait.”
— Benjamin Carr 

More theater highlights . . .

• Displaying the power of community during tragedy, Come From Away: The Musical is onstage at City Springs Theatre Company March 13 through March 29, directed by Shuler Hensley.
  
• Written by famed American playwright Arthur Miller, The Price takes the stage at Theatrical Outfit April 8 through May 3.
  
• See Artistic Director Jeff Watkins direct Timon of Athens for the first time at Shakespeare Tavern April 11 through April 26. 
  
• Calling fans of the teen film Clueless! — Emma, by Jane Austen, is on stage May 7 through May 31, presented by Belle Esprit and Shakespeare Tavern and written by Claire F. Martin.
  
• A new kids’ musical with lyrics by Christian Albright and music by Christian Magby, The Great Ant Sleepover is on Alliance Theatre’s new Goizueta Stage for Youth and Families — part of the Underground Rep Package — May 16 to July 5.
  
• Written by Atlanta native Lauren Gunderson, The Revolutionists portrays the French Revolution through the lens of girl-powered comedy at Theatrical Outfit June 3 through June 28.
  
• Did you miss Hot Jambalaya at Dad’s Garage? Get tickets to the show at Horizon Theatre May 22 through June 21.
  
• Inspired by a true story, Theater Emory’s Bright Star, on stage March 26 to April 4, is a bluegrass-infused musical set in the Blue Ridge Mountains during the 1920s and 1940s.
  
• The world premiere of Cluedunnit at Out Front Theatre, written by Paul Conroy, combines murder mystery and drag show parody April 30 through May 16. 
  
• At the Center for Puppetry Arts, catch the world premiere of its adaptation, The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales, April 7 to May 17. 
  
• Pulitzer-prize winner Wit, staged at Actor’s Express June 4 through June 28 and directed by Freddie Ashley, follows the story of a woman who was out of touch with her emotions until a transformative diagnosis. 
  
• Savor the timeless Southern classic of Steel Magnolias, onstage at Stage Door Theatre April 4 through April 19 and directed by Jaclyn Hofmann. 

Our 2026 Spring Picks