Five Award-Winning Productions Span Sondheim Favorite, Pulitzer Prize Drama, and Works by Two-Time Pulitzer Finalist Sarah Ruhl 

Colorado Springs, CO — March 31, 2026 — Theatreworks announces an electrifying 2026-27 season featuring five award-winning titles that span the visceral energy of musical theatre, the sharp wit of classic comedy, and the urgent voices of contemporary American drama. The season marks the first programmed under the company's new dual leadership structure, with General Director Matt Giles and Artistic Director Max Shulman bringing their shared vision to the stage. 

"This season reflects our commitment to bold storytelling that challenges, delights, and moves audiences," said Artistic Director Max Shulman. "From Sondheim's dark genius to Lynn Nottage's searing portrait of working-class America, these productions invite our community into conversations that matter—wrapped in theatrical experiences they'll never forget." 

"Max and I built this season together as a conversation both about what excites us artistically and what will resonate in our community right now. These five productions are entertaining, yes, but they're also meant to invite people in: to stories that matter, that challenge us, and that help us see one another a little more clearly. Whether you've been coming to Theatreworks for years or you're walking through our doors for the first time, there's something here for you. Because theatre really does belong to everyone, and the best way to experience it is together,” said General Director Matt Giles. 

The season opens with a visceral reimagining of Stephen Sondheim's "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" (September 10 – October 4, 2026), directed by Michael Lluberes. Winner of multiple Tony and Olivier Awards, this macabre masterpiece plunges audiences into the squalid underbelly of Victorian London, where an excellent new barber on Fleet Street is about to make a killing. The New York Times called it "a ghoulish marvel of musical comedy that may represent the greatest achievement of…Stephen Sondheim," and Theatreworks will strip the tale down to its bleeding edge for an intimate, unforgettable experience. 

The holidays sparkle with Noël Coward's champagne-fizzy comedy "Private Lives" (November 19 – December 13, 2026). When formerly married Elyot and Amanda discover they've inadvertently booked neighboring honeymoon suites—with their new spouses in tow—the volatile magnetism that first brought them together reignites in a collision of moonlight, cocktails, and the witty repartee that characterizes Coward's best work. The New York Times hailed it as "a comedy of manners polished so bright you can see yourself in it." 

The new year brings Heidi Schreck's "What the Constitution Means to Me" (January 28 – February 14, 2027), directed by Lynne Hastings. This Tony-nominated, Pulitzer Prize finalist transforms a high school debate exercise into "an act of civic engagement" (The New York Times) that is uproariously funny, wrenchingly moving, and politically inspiring. Part family history, part debate, and part love letter, Schreck examines how "we the people" of today relate to the document that built our nation 240 years ago. 

Lynn Nottage's Pulitzer Prize-winning "Sweat" (April 15 – May 9, 2027), directed by Taisa Jones, offers a powerful and compassionate portrait of blue-collar America. Set in Reading, Pennsylvania, the play follows a tight-knit community of factory workers divided by strikes, layoffs, and the shattering realization that livelihood trumps loyalty when desperation sets in. Nottage—the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Drama twice—writes "at the peak of her powers" (The New York Times), creating a drama that crackles with immediacy and relevance. 

The season concludes with "Dear Elizabeth" (June 10 – 27, 2027), directed by Artistic Director Max Shulman. Composed entirely of letters exchanged between Pulitzer Prize-winning poets Elizabeth Bishop and Robert Lowell and adapted for the stage by two-time Pulitzer finalist Sarah Ruhl, this theatrical gem explores the quiet, fierce friendship that teetered on the cusp of romance. Coursing with humor and marked by poetic whimsy, the production offers a poignant reminder that love lives in the in-betweens—carried in letters, tucked into songs, and hidden in the everyday moments we share. 

SEASON SUBSCRIPTIONS & TICKETS 
Early bird season subscriptions offering 20% savings are available now at entarts.org/subscribe. 

Single tickets for "Sweeney Todd" go on sale in July 2026. 

All performances take place at the Ent Center for the Arts, located on the University of Colorado Colorado Springs campus. For more information, visit entarts.org or call (719) 255-3232. 

The 2026-2027 season also marks the debut of Counterpoint, a groundbreaking collaboration with the Colorado Springs Philharmonic that pairs full orchestral performances with theatrical storytelling across three evenings exploring American identity, Parisian modernism, and the invention of love.

Press inquiries may be directed to: 
Elyce Gronseth Assistant Director of Marketing & Communications, Ent Center for the Arts 
719-255-8365 egronset@uccs.edu 

About Theatreworks Colorado Springs 
Theatreworks Colorado Springs, based at the Ent Center for the Arts at UCCS, is a professional theatre company committed to producing works that engage, challenge, and inspire audiences. With a robust season of diverse performances, Theatreworks connects the Colorado Springs community through the transformative power of live theatre. 

About the Ent Center for the Arts 
The Ent Center for the Arts at UCCS is a multi-venue arts complex that serves as a cultural hub for Colorado Springs. Home to Theatreworks, the Galleries of Contemporary Art (GOCA), and other artistic programs, the Ent Center fosters creativity and collaboration across disciplines, providing a space for artists and audiences to connect in meaningful ways.