BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana University Auditorium announces its 2026–2027 season schedule that includes Broadway hits, award-winning musicians and performers, and more.

 

The schedule is packed full of Broadway hits and national touring favorites, including the Bloomington debuts of SIX, Shucked, and The Wiz as well as Legally Blonde – The Musical, Waitress, and RENT in Concert.

 

In addition to these amazing musicals, IU Auditorium will welcome one of Broadway’s biggest stars for the second annual Curry Family Spotlight, a program dedicated to bringing the finest performing artists to IU Bloomington. For this season, Tony Award-winner Sutton Foster will perform onstage alongside IU and local K-12 students.

 

The Auditorium will also host one of the nation’s most distinguished ensembles, the National Symphony Orchestra, returning to IU for the first time in nearly seven decades. The performance will be under the baton of Gianandrea Noseda and feature Ray Chen on violin.

 

Jacobs Live at the Movies returns to IU Auditorium for the second time, and this year will feature Disney’s Frozen in Concert as the IU Philharmonic Orchestra from the Jacobs School of Music provides the soundtrack to a live film screening of the hit animated film.

 

“We are excited to announce IU Auditorium’s 2026–2027 season, featuring an exceptional array of performances continuing our tradition of bringing premier live entertainment to Bloomington,” said IU Auditorium Executive Director Maria Talbert. “This season showcases an engaging blend of Broadway hits, acclaimed musicians, family-friendly productions, and inspiring performances. We invite patrons to explore our subscription options by choosing five or more shows to save up to 24 percent off single-ticket prices on most performances. We look forward to welcoming audiences for another memorable season of shared live experiences.” 

 

Other exciting performances include Cirque Éloize and Ballet Hispánico New York, each performing evening-length works, as well as Jazz at Lincoln Center Presents World on a String: Swinging Songs of Broadway. And of course, Bloomington favorites and annual traditions Dennis James Hosts Halloween, Straight No Chaser, and The Singing Hoosiers Present Holiday Chimes return.

 

Purchasing Process in 2026–2027

IU Auditorium subscribers have the opportunity to select their own seats and save up to 24 percent off single ticket prices by picking five to subscribe. Loyalty Points members and new subscribers will be able to place their orders and select their seats before tickets go on sale to the general public. This process is explained online at IUauditorium.com/Subscribe and dates of when subscriptions and pre-orders go on sale are listed below.

 

Dates to Purchase Tickets

June 15–26

Loyalty Points Seat Selection

 

June 29

New Subscribers Seat Selection Begins

 

August 3–16

Single Ticket Pre-Order Period

 

August 17

Single Tickets on Sale to the General Public

 

The IU Auditorium 2026–2027 season is presented with support from season partners Curry Auto Center, The Herald-Times, Upland Brewing Company, World Arts, Inc., the Cook Family of Companies, Boston Scientific, and B97.

 

To see the complete list of events for the 2026–2027 season, click here.

 

2026–2027 IU Auditorium Season

 

Jacobs Live at the Movies: Frozen in Concert

September 12 & 13

Saturday at 7 p.m.

Sunday at 2 p.m.

 

Jacobs Live at the Movies returns as the IU Philharmonic Orchestra will perform Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Frozen in Concert with composer Christophe Beck’s GRAMMY®-nominated score.

 

The film and its multi-Platinum soundtrack feature eight songs written by Academy Award®, Emmy®, and GRAMMY®-winning songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, including the Oscar® and GRAMMY®-winning song “Let It Go” performed by Idina Menzel.  

 

Fearless optimist, Princess Anna, sets off on an epic journey—teaming up with rugged mountain man, Kristoff, and his loyal reindeer Sven—to find her sister Elsa, whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom of Arendelle in eternal winter. Encountering Everest-like conditions, mystical trolls, and a hilarious snowman named Olaf, Anna and Kristoff battle the elements in a race to save the kingdom. Voices include Kristen Bell (Anna), Jonathan Groff (Kristoff), Idina Menzel (Elsa), Josh Gad (Olaf), Santino Fontana (Hans), Alan Tudyk (Duke of Weselton). The film received the Academy® Award for Best Animated Feature.

 

Presentation licensed by Disney Concerts. All rights reserved.

 

Waitress

Tuesday & Wednesday, September 29 & 30

7:30 p.m.

 

Meet Jenna, a waitress and expert pie maker who dreams of a way out of her small town and rocky marriage. Pouring her heart into her pies, she crafts desserts that mirror her topsy-turvy life such as “The Key (Lime) to Happiness Pie” and “Betrayed by My Eggs Pie.” When a baking contest in a nearby county (and a satisfying encounter with someone new) show Jenna a chance at a fresh start, she must find the courage to seize it. Change is on the menu, as long as Jenna can write her own perfectly personal recipe for happiness.

 

Brought to life by a groundbreaking creative team, this hilarious hit Broadway musical features original music and lyrics by Grammy Award winner Sara Bareilles (“Brave,” “Love Song”), a book by acclaimed screenwriter Jessie Nelson (I Am Sam), original choreography by Lorin Latarro (Mrs. Doubtfire, Chess) and original direction by Tony Award winner Diane Paulus (1776, Jagged Little Pill, Pippin).

 

“Waitress is a little slice of heaven!” says Entertainment Weekly, and is “sweet, sassy and passionate,” according to New York Magazine.

 

“It’s an empowering musical of the highest order!” raves the Chicago Tribune. Don’t miss this uplifting and hilarious musical celebrating friendship, motherhood, and the magic of a well-made pie.

 

An Evening with Sutton Foster

Tuesday, October 6

7:30 p.m.

 

Sutton Foster is a two-time Tony Award-winning actress, singer, and dancer widely recognized as one of Broadway’s leading performers. For her Bloomington performance, she will be joined onstage by IU dance and choral students along with local K-12 performers for what promises to be a special evening.

 

Foster most recently starred as Princess Winnifred in Once Upon a Mattress during its acclaimed Broadway revival. Prior, she starred as Mrs. Lovett in the Tony Award-winning Broadway revival of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, as well as Marian Paroo in the 2022 Broadway revival of The Music Man, earning her seventh Tony Award nomination.

 

She first rose to prominence originating the title role in Broadway’s Thoroughly Modern Millie, earning her first Tony Award, and later won her second for Anything Goes. Her extensive stage credits include The Drowsy Chaperone, Shrek the Musical, Young Frankenstein, Violet, and Sweet Charity.

 

On screen, Foster starred in TV Land’s Younger and appeared in Bunheads, Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life, and the final season of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. As a solo artist, she has toured the country with stops at Carnegie Hall, Feinstein’s, Lincoln Center’s American Songbook series, and many others. Foster holds an honorary doctorate from Ball State University, where she also teaches.

 

Ballet Hispánico New York

Wednesday, October 14

7:30 p.m.

 

Ballet Hispánico New York is the nation’s leading American Latino dance company and the largest cultural institution of its kind in the United States. For over five decades, it has been a beacon of artistic excellence, celebrated for its bold repertory and exceptional training programs.

 

The Bloomington performance will be an evening-length presentation of CARMEN.maquia. Since the debut in 1875, Carmen, the titular character from Bizet’s opera, has become a timeless cultural icon, inspiring generations of composers, choreographers, and writers to attempt to capture her elusive and alluring nature.

 

Ballet Hispánico honors the powerful Spanish leading lady with Gustavo Ramírez Sansano’s electrifying CARMEN.maquia. One of today’s most sought-after choreographers, Sansano’s quintessential ballet invigorates this timeless tale with an unrelenting energy that leaves you breathless. Highly original and full of explosive movement, CARMEN.maquia is a bold reimagining of this tragic tale.

 

Dennis James Hosts Halloween

Wednesday, October 21

7:30 p.m.

 

Bloomington’s favorite musical mastermind is back for his annual spooky spectacular. Dennis James returns to the IU Auditorium pipe organ for a spine-tingling Halloween tradition that blends vintage thrills with live musical artistry. 

 

The evening will begin with a live radio-style re-enactment of the Inner Sanctum mystery “The Vengeful Corpse,” drawing audiences into a chilling tale of suspense straight from the golden age of radio and starring student actors from IU’s Department of Theatre and Drama.

 

James will then perform solo as he provides his signature live organ accompaniment to two silent film comedy classics: Laurel & Hardy’s eerie (and hilarious) Habeas Corpus and Buster Keaton’s clever caper The Haunted House. Equal parts spooky and spirited, this Halloween favorite delivers laughter, nostalgia, and just the right amount of fright.

 

SIX

November 12–15

Thursday & Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday at 1 & 8 p.m.

Sunday at 1 p.m.

 

From Tudor Queens to Pop Icons, the SIX wives of Henry VIII take the microphone to remix five hundred years of historical heartbreak into a Euphoric Celebration of 21st century girl power! This new original musical is the global sensation that everyone is losing their head over!

 

The New York Times says SIX “TOTALLY RULES!” (Critic's Pick) and The Washington Post hails SIX as “Exactly the kind of energizing, inspirational illumination this town aches for!"

 

The SIX: LIVE ON OPENING NIGHT Broadway album debuted at Number 1 on the Billboard cast album charts and surpassed one billion streams worldwide!

 

The Singing Hoosiers Present Holiday Chimes

Saturday, December 5

4 p.m.

 

Ring in the season with one of Bloomington’s most beloved holiday traditions as the Singing Hoosiers return to the IU Auditorium stage for Holiday Chimes. This festive celebration blends timeless carols, contemporary favorites, and dazzling choreography into a performance filled with warmth and joy.

 

Under the direction of Dr. Chris Albanese, the Singing Hoosiers will deliver their signature high-energy performance alongside heartfelt musical moments that capture the magic of the holidays. From sparkling ensemble numbers to moving vocal showcases, Holiday Chimes is the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit.

 

Straight No Chaser

Thursday, December 10

7:30 p.m.

 

The holiday season is not complete without the return of a cappella sensations Straight No Chaser—born right here at Indiana University. The group has become synonymous with the sound of the holidays, delivering crowd-pleasing arrangements with humor, heart, and flawless harmonies. This year’s performance will be part of their nationwide Making Spirits Bright Tour.

 

The nine-man act, including Walter Chase, Jerome Collins, Seggie Isho, Michael Luginbill, Steve Morgan, Luke Bob Robinson, Jasper Smith, Tyler Trepp, and Freedom Young, has served as a festive blend of harmonious voices for three decades.

 

This year’s tour is a gift that requires no wrapping and one that everyone delights in sharing. To date, the band has sold more than three million albums worldwide, sold more than 1.5 million tickets worldwide, earned 100 million+ YouTube views, and racked up more than a billion streams.

 

The Wiz

Wednesday, January 27

7:30 p.m.

 

The Tony Award-winning Best Musical that took the world by storm is back.

 

The Wiz returns “home” to stages across America in an all-new tour, direct from Broadway.

 

The Baltimore Sun raves “Powerhouse performances. Stunning choreography. Visionary sets,” and the Chicago Sun-Times proclaims The Wiz is “an eye-popping and high-intensity revival!”

 

This groundbreaking twist on The Wizard of Oz changed the face of Broadway—from its iconic score packed with soul, gospel, rock, and 70s funk to its stirring tale of Dorothy’s journey to find her place in a contemporary world.

 

Everybody rejoice—this dynamite infusion of ballet, jazz, and modern pop brings a whole new groove to easing on down the road!

 

Cirque Éloize

Wednesday, February 10

7 p.m.

 

Making its IU Auditorium debut, Cirque Éloize has been a creative force and ambassador for Quebec culture for over three decades. As a precursor to contemporary circus, the company constantly reinvents the art of encounter by combining circus, music, dance, theater, and technology to offer experiences that go beyond simple entertainment and remain etched in the minds of audiences.

 

In Bloomington, they’ll perform an evening-length work titled iD – Evolution. Acrobats defy gravity, dancers explode into striking urban movements, and every space is transformed into a playground for the imagination. Trampoline, aerial hoop, trial bike, breakdancing, and many other disciplines intertwine in an electrifying performance where every jump, every movement, and every note of music tells a story.

 

iD – Evolution explores identity and encounter in a world where bodies speak, clash, and respond to each other. It is an experience that shakes the senses, transports, and amazes—a visual and auditory journey where poetry and urban energy merge to create a show that is both spectacular and deeply human.

 

Shucked

Wednesday, February 17

7:30 p.m.

 

The Tony Award-winning musical comedy Shucked makes its IU Auditorium debut in 2027.

 

Maizy and Beau are getting hitched when the corn that protects their small community starts to die. The town needs answers. But who will dare venture beyond the borders of Cob County?

 

Including the knockout songs “Woman of the World,” “Somebody Will,” and “Independently Owned,” this Broadway hit about an unlikely hero, an unscrupulous con artist, and a battle for the heart and soil of a small town, is not to be missed.

 

Jazz at Lincoln Center Presents World on a String: Swinging Songs of Broadway

Wednesday, February 24

7:30 p.m.

 

Marking the fifth production in the Jazz at Lincoln Center PRESENTS series, guest vocalists Kate Kortum and David Marino will debut arrangements of tunes from Broadway’s most beloved productions including Hamilton, Wicked, South Pacific, West Side Story, and more in a special concert event entitled World on a String: Swinging Songs of Broadway.

 

For over three decades, Jazz at Lincoln Center has been a leading advocate for jazz, culture, and arts education globally. Under the direction of Wynton Marsalis, Jazz at Lincoln Center has brought the art form of jazz from the heart of New York City to over 446 cities in more than 40 countries.

 

Legally Blonde – The Musical

Wednesday & Thursday, March 3 & 4

7:30 p.m.

 

OMG, you guys!!! Legally Blonde – The Musical is coming to Bloomington!

 

Fabulously fun and international award-winning Legally Blonde is the ultimate Broadway tribute to girl power! The story follows the transformation of Elle Woods

as she tackles stereotypes, sexism, snobbery, and scandal in pursuit of her dreams and proves that you can be both legally blonde AND the smartest person in the room. This contemporary, topical story touches on many current hot button issues while delighting audiences with memorable songs and explosive dances. Legally Blonde warms the heart by proving that self-discovery never goes out of style!

 

Elle Woods appears to have it all. Her life is turned upside down, however, when her boyfriend dumps her so he can start getting more serious about his life and attend Harvard Law. Determined to get him back, Elle uses her brain and ingenuity to get into Harvard too. School begins with endless struggles, but with the help of her new friends, Elle quickly realizes her potential and her true assets, as she sets out to prove herself to the world and make everyone a believer.

 

Based on the iconic movie starring Reese Witherspoon, Legally Blonde will take you from the sorority house to the halls of justice with Broadway’s brightest heroine and, of course, her Chihuahua, Bruiser.

 

RENT in Concert

Thursday, March 25

7:30 p.m.

 

An ensemble of stellar vocalists and instrumentalists come together to share the iconic music of RENT like never before. This symphonic take on the Jonathan Larson’s beloved musical includes the full score of the show, including favorites like “Seasons of Love,” “La Vie Bohème,” and “Take Me or Leave Me.”

 

Set in the East Village of New York City, RENT is about falling in love, finding your voice, and living for today. Winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, RENT has become a pop cultural phenomenon with songs that rock and a story that resonates with audiences of all ages.

 

Based loosely on Puccini’s La bohéme Boheme, Jonathan Larson’s RENT follows a year in the life of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive and create in New York’s Lower East Side, under the shadow of HIV/AIDS. The physical and emotional complications of the disease pervade the lives of Roger, Mimi, Tom, and Angel. Maureen deals with her chronic infidelity through performance art; her partner, Joanne, wonders if their relationship is worth the trouble. Benny has sold out his Bohemian ideals in exchange for a hefty income and is on the outs with his former friends. Mark, an aspiring filmmaker, feels like an outsider to life in general. How these young bohemians negotiate their dreams, loves, and conflicts provides the narrative thread to this groundbreaking musical.

 

National Symphony Orchestra

Thursday, April 22

7:30 p.m.

 

One of the nation’s most distinguished ensembles, the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) returns to IU Auditorium for the first time in nearly seven decades. The internationally celebrated orchestra performs more than 150 concerts annually and is heard by audiences across the country through high-profile broadcasts and national events.

 

The performance will be conducted by Gianandrea Noseda, the NSO’s music director and one of the world’s most sought-after conductors. Noseda is currently in his ninth season with the orchestra. The evening also will feature solo violinist Ray Chen, a global phenomenon redefining classical performance for the 21st century.

 

The Bloomington program will open with Rossini’s sparkling William Tell Overture, followed by Samuel Barber’s lyrical and technically dazzling Violin Concerto featuring Chen. The evening concludes with Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6, the beloved “Pastoral,” a vivid and evocative journey through nature that remains one of the composer’s most cherished works.