While summer is great for us Washingtonians to get blasted with the vitamin D we so desperately need, it unfortunately also means that most local theatres go on a bit of a hiatus. So, it may be bittersweet that we’re firmly on the other side of the solstice, but it does signal the return of great theatre. Here in the Tacoma area, we’re spoiled for choices as new seasons kick off at the end of the month. Here is just a selection of shows to keep your eye out for.
The Outsider
The first big show of the season is “The Outsider,” a political satire directed by Jed Slaughter for Tacoma Little Theatre. Ned Newley is a terrible candidate, running for governor despite being utterly unsuited to life as a politician. Still, his political consultant is convinced that being unfit for office may actually be in Ned’s favor. While the play was first performed in 2015 – the last days before modern politics fully transformed into the hellscape we know today – The Outsider’s examination of campaigns fueled by a cult of personality is still relevant.
WHAT:
The Outsider
WHEN:
Thursdays – Saturdays, 7:30 p.m., Sundays, 2 p.m., Aug. 28-Sept. 13
WHERE:
Tacoma Little Theatre, 210 N I St., Tacoma
COST:
$23-$31
LEARN MORE:
https://www.tacomalittletheatre.com/
253-272-2281
Kiss of the Spider Woman
You’d be forgiven for not knowing it, but a film adaptation of the Broadway musical “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” starring Diego Luna and Jennifer Lopez, sped through theaters last year on its way to financial disaster. Luckily, Lakewood Playhouse is staging their own rendition of the celebrated play, which is a study of two inmates of an Argentinian prison who escape into a fantasy world of movie musicals. The mix of social commentary and razzle-dazzle makes it a perfect fit for Lakewood Playhouse’s mission statement, which centers a balance of entertainment with education and diverse representation.
WHAT:
Kiss of the Spider Woman
WHEN:
Fridays and Saturdays, 7:30 p.m., Sundays, 2 p.m., Sept. 4-20
WHERE:
Lakewood Playhouse; 5729 Lakewood Towne Center Blvd SW, Lakewood
COST:
$25-$35
LEARN MORE:
https://www.lakewoodplayhouse.org
253-588-0042
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
If “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” feels a bit old-fashioned to be truly scary in 2026, consider that the story has endured for more than 200 years for a reason. The success of recent entertainments like “Widow’s Bay” shows that folks are still hungry for spooky small town happenings, and “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” is practically the blueprint for that kind of story. Director Niclas Olson has experience lending a modern verve to classic stories, having done so with his staging of “Frankenstein” back in 2017, which bodes well for this Halloween season production.
WHAT:
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
WHEN:
Fridays and Saturdays, 7:30 p.m., Sundays, 2 p.m., Oct. 2-25
WHERE:
Centerstage Theatre, 3200 SW Dash Point Rd, Federal Way
COST:
$19-$40
LEARN MORE:
https://centerstagetheatre.com/
253-661-1444
The Brothers Paranormal
Amidst a surge of “Asian-looking ghost” sightings, two Thai-American brothers decide that now’s as good a time as any to start up a ghost-hunting business. That’s the set-up for “The Brothers Paranormal,” a blending of comedy, drama, and horror, that’s being put on its feet at Dukesbay Theater. True to form, for Dukesbay, the show centers POC and explores issues of identity. If you’re looking for more thoughtful horror, this might be the show for you.
WHAT:
The Brothers Paranormal
WHEN:
Fridays and Saturdays, 7:30 p.m., Sundays, 2 p.m., Oct. 30-Sep. 15
WHERE:
The Dukesbay Theater, 508 S. Sixth Ave #10, Tacoma
COST:
Ticket Prices TBA
LEARN MORE:
https://dukesbay.org/
253-350-7680