Gretna Theatre kicks off 99th summer season with music, mystery & comedy

Tickets and subscriptions are now available for the 99th summer season at Gretna Theatre.

The theater offers “a vibrant lineup of music, comedy, and iconic storytelling,” according to a release. Gretna is one of America’s oldest summer theaters.

The 2026 Mainstage Season opens with “Always… Patsy Cline,” which runs June 4-7. Directed by Michelle Tattenbaum, the show is “a heartfelt tribute to one of country music’s most unforgettable voices,” the release says. Inspired by the friendship between Patsy Cline and her devoted fan Louise Seger, the show “blends humor, nostalgia, and sincerity” and features 27 of her greatest hits including “Crazy” and “I Fall to Pieces.”

“A Night with Janis Joplin, running June 18-21, “brings the raw power and soul of a music icon to the stage.” The show traces Joplin’s journey from small-town Texas to international stardom, celebrating the music that shaped her, with “electrifying performances” of songs such as “Piece of My Heart” and “Me and Bobby McGee.”

The season continues with the American premiere of “Murder at Ackerton Manor.” The play, directed by Alex Keiper, runs July 9-12 and is a fast-paced comedic mystery inspired by Agatha Christie. “When the infamous Roger Ackerton is found dead, Detective Pierre Pierrot must untangle a web of absurd suspects, missing jewels, and mistaken identities,” the release explains. “With three actors portraying seven outrageous characters, the production delivers nonstop laughs and theatrical ingenuity.”

Closing the mainstage season is the legendary musical “Hair,” with runs July 23-Aug. 2 and is directed by Gretna Theatre’s producing artistic director Michael Philip O’Brien. The Grammy and Tony award-winning phenomenon defined a generation with iconic songs like “Aquarius,” “Hair,” and “Let the Sunshine In.” The production “captures the spirit of the 1960s counterculture while continuing to resonate with audiences today,” the release says.

In addition to its mainstage lineup, Gretna Theatre will present a series of special events throughout the summer.

“Good Vibrations: A Celebration of The Beach Boys” on June 27 brings “the timeless sounds of summer to life with surf guitar and rich harmonies.” “Puppy Pals LIVE” (as seen on “America’s Got Talent”) on July 16 delivers “a family-friendly spectacle of rescued dogs performing jaw-dropping stunts and playful tricks.” The season concludes with “Broadway’s Best: A Night of Musical Showstoppers” on Aug. 21-22, “featuring powerhouse vocalists and an evening of unforgettable hits from the musical stage.”

“As Gretna Theatre approaches its centennial, the 99th season reflects both its enduring legacy and its commitment to creating bold, engaging live theatre experiences for generations to come,” the release says.

For tickets and more information, visit gretnatheatre.org.