“NORTH BY NORTHWEST”: Katy Owen stars in this adaptation of the Alfred Hitchcock classic film, among the productions on McCarter Theatre’s 2026-27 Theater Series. (Photo by Steve Tanner)
McCarter Theatre Center announces its 2026/27 Theater Series, featuring five productions spanning Shakespearean villainy, a brand-new musical comedy, the 2024 Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winner for Best Play, a reimagining of an Alfred Hitchcock classic, and a world-premiere comedy.
“The stories we share help us understand ourselves and illuminate the humanity of others,” said McCarter Artistic Director Sarah Rasmussen. “As we look ahead to the 2026/27 season, the importance of sharing live experiences — of being together — feels more essential than ever.”
The season begins August 19–30 with the Octopus Theatricals production of All the Devils Are Here: How Shakespeare Invented the Villain. Created and performed by Patrick Page and directed by Simon Godwin, the play “turns to twisted motivations and hidden humanity at the heart of Shakespeare’s greatest villains embodying Macbeth’s ruthless ambition, Iago’s seductive manipulation, Richard III’s gleeful cunning, Shylock’s fury, and more. From king, to murderer, to mastermind, Page illuminates the Bard’s evolving conception of evil by delving into more than a dozen of his most wicked creations, offering a spellbinding masterclass on the most terrifying subject of them all: human nature,” reads a press release.
A post-show conversation with Patrick Page will take place following each performance.
From October 7–25, the new musical A Beat of Our Own takes the raw energy of competitive bhangra dance to tell a story of college teammates who clash over one’s plan to fuse multiple Indian styles into their routine. The show is directed by Stafford Arima and features choreography by Rujuta Vaidya, music and lyrics by Sam Willmott, and a book by Rehana Lew Mirza and Mike Lew.
Brandon Jacobs-Jenkins’ play Purpose is on stage from January 21-February 13. A co-production with Allliance Theatre, the darkly funny drama takes a behind-the-scenes look at an influential family. The production marks the first time McCarter has produced a play by Princeton University alum Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, Class of 2006.
From March 10-21, Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Northwest, based on the classic film, is on stage. Emma Rice adapted it and directs. When ad man Roger Thornhill is mistaken for a Cold War spy, he goes on the run dodging airplanes, bad guys and a femme fatale who may not be what she seems.
McCarter is at 91 University Place. Visit mccarter.org for tickets, currently available by subscription.