Experience the incredible Memphis theater scene while you’re in town, from beloved Broadway musicals to breathtaking ballet to experimental productions featuring emerging local talents. We'll run through all of Memphis' top venues while also helping you plan a full night out with food, drink and hotel recommendations.
Experience the incredible Memphis theater scene while you’re in town, from beloved Broadway musicals to breathtaking ballet to experimental productions featuring emerging local talents. We'll run through all of Memphis' top venues while also helping you plan a full night out with food, drink and hotel recommendations.
DOWNTOWN
Orpheum Theatre
A stunning jewel among the theaters of Memphis, the Orpheum Theatre was originally built in 1890 as the Grand Opera House on the corner of Main and Beale. More than a century later, a rebuilt and newly renovated Orpheum still stands as one of the South’s finest theaters, having hosted world-class entertainment such as Jerry Seinfeld, Bob Dylan, and Arcade Fire. The Orpheum’s Broadway Series brings popular musicals and dramas to the gilded stage each season.
The 2024-25 Broadway Series concludes with SOME LIKE IT HOT (April 8–13, 2025), KIMBERLY AKIMBO (June 24–29, 2025) and THE WIZ (July 22–27, 2025). The Orpheum just announced the 2025-2026 lineup. This season is filled with exciting shows and musicals, like THE NOTEBOOK, & JULIET and THE SOUND OF MUSIC.
Check out the full lineup below:
THE NEIL DIAMOND MUSICAL: A BEAUTIFUL NOISE — Oct. 7–12, 2025
THE NOTEBOOK — Oct. 28–Nov. 2, 2025
& JULIET — Nov. 25–30, 2025
THE OUTSIDERS — Jan. 20–25, 2026
THE SOUND OF MUSIC — Feb. 17–22, 2026
BACK TO THE FUTURE: THE MUSICAL — March 3–8, 2026
SIX — April 21-26, 2026
DISNEY'S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST — June 2-7, 2026
Learn more about the 2025-26 Broadway schedule here.
In 2015, the Halloran Centre opened next door to the Orpheum Theatre as an additional performance and conference space in a luxurious modern venue. The 2024-25 season features an interactive murder mystery theater series, an illusions series, The Orchestra Unplugged and the Memphis Songwriters Series. See the full lineup here.
Eat, Drink & Stay Nearby:
For a quintessential Orpheum experience, grab pre-theatre drinks at Bar Ware or enjoy modern gastropub fare and cocktails at South of Beale. If the night is still young when the final curtain closes, take your group and head to one of Memphis’ late-night dives for post-show drinks.
Cannon Center For Performing Arts
As one of the nation’s best acoustic facilities, the Cannon Center in downtown Memphis is a magical experience for witnessing both classical and popular musical performances. Most notably home to the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, the Cannon Center hosts the MSO from October to May each year. Check out the Cannon Center events calendar here.
Eat, Drink & Stay Nearby:
Before your evening at the Symphony, enjoy fine dining where indecisiveness is celebrated at Flight Restaurant.
Make a weekend of it with a downtown hotel stay and exciting ways to explore downtown Memphis.
OVERTON SQUARE PERFORMING ARTS District
Playhouse on the Square
Playhouse on the Square is the city’s professional resident theater, anchoring the Overton Square Performing Arts District.
Catch Broadway and off-Broadway productions like CAROLINE, OR CHANGE (April 25–May 18, 2025) and A BRONX TALE (June 13–July 13, 2025) during the theater's 56th season. The 2025-2026 season is set to include COME FROM AWAY (Aug.15–Sept. 14, 2025), THE WIZARD OF OZ (Nov. 14–Dec. 21, 2025), JAGGED LITTLE PILL (Jan. 23–Feb. 22, 2026), JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (April 24–May 17, 2026) and SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET (June 12–July 12, 2026).
Eat, Drink & Stay Nearby:
Elevate your evening at the theater with a southern steakhouse experience at Porch & Parlor, a NOLA inspired meal at The Second Line or hit Overton Square's rooftop bar and restaurant: Tiger & Peacock.
Circuit Playhouse & TheaterWorks
For more art-house fare, intimate dramas and musicals and original productions, head to Playhouse’s affiliate theaters, The Circuit Playhouse and TheaterWorks @ The Square.
Eat, Drink & Stay Nearby:
After the show, enjoy a local beer at Boscos Squared or wind down with imported cheeses and a cocktail from one of Bari Ristorante’s talented mixologists down the street.
Ballet Memphis
Memphis’ professional ballet company beckons performing arts lovers to its new midtown home in Overton Square. The modern architecture of this new community and performance space was unveiled in mid-2017. Ballet Memphis’ Overton Square location hosts dance classes as well as modern performances performed at downtown’s Orpheum Theatre.
Hattiloo Theatre
Hattiloo Theatre is the only freestanding Black repertory theatre in five surrounding states, offering an incredibly unique performing arts experience in the heart of Memphis’ Overton Square Performing Arts District. Each season brings powerful dramas such as Succession and Blues in the Night. Look for original productions by Hattiloo’s founder Ekundayo Bandele and award-winning playwright Katori Hall. See the schedule here.
Eat, Drink & Stay Nearby:
With a new boutique hotel and some of the city's most authentic eats, drinks and shops, you can easily plan a weekend getaway to Memphis' Overton Square Performing Arts District.
Collage Memphis
As one of the largest dance companies in the country, Collage Memphis increases the diversity of dance with expanded access to classical training to communities of color. Through their new state-of-the-art facility, Collage provides more programming including adult classes. The annual Memphis Dance Festival is one of the largest free celebrations of dance complete with performances.
EAST/SUBURBS
Germantown Performing Arts Center
Venture outside of the city core to Germantown for even more unique theater options. The Germantown Performing Arts Center, or GPAC, is one of the finest spaces in the region to find performances of musicians, dancers, singers and actors. With nearly perfect acoustics, GPAC’s season is often an eclectic collection of performers, including classical, jazz, singer-songwriter, swing-revival, and kid-friendly artists. You can also enjoy theatre, live music, movies and more in a park-like setting at The Grove, GPAC's new outdoor event space. The Grove features a food truck area and covered bar, and can accommodate about 1,200 guests.
Eat, Drink & Stay Nearby:
If you haven’t checked off The Germantown Commissary off your list of Memphis barbecue to try, this is the perfect time to do so. For an upscale pre-theater dinner, visit the Southern Social fine dining restaurant in the heart of Germantown.
Theatre Memphis
Don’t underestimate the talent and charm of Memphis' longstanding community theatre when it comes to heartfelt drama and fun, beloved musicals. To celebrate its 100th anniversary, Theatre Memphis recently completed major renovations, including a redesigned lobby and a larger common area. View the 2024-25 season here. Don't miss special events like the Beauty and the Beast Soirée and Sneak Peek (February 26, 2025) and Women in the Arts 2025 (March 8, 2025).
Eat, Drink & Stay Nearby:
Take your theatre date to dinner at Memphis favorite Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen for inventive, award-winning Italian cuisine, or go for artisan cocktails and modern American fare at Acre.
Tennessee Shakespeare Company
See live performances of the works of Williams Shakespeare in Cordova from the Tennessee Shakespeare Company. Catch classics like Macbeth, Julius Caesar and Romeo and Juliet, as well as works from other famed playwrights and composers, from this professional troupe. See the full schedule here.
Eat, Drink & Stay Nearby:
While in Cordova, stop into the taproom at Meddlesome Brewing Company for craft brews, like the 201 Hoplar IPA and Broad Hammer brown ale. While the brewery doesn't serve food, you'll find food trucks parked right outside the taproom almost every night of the week.
Should you choose to come for the theater and stay for all things Memphis, check out these area hotels.
