Beetlejuice, Shucked, Six, and A Beautiful Noise
Cal Poly Arts today announced its 2026-27 season, featuring 32 performances spanning Broadway, music, dance, comedy, family programming and speakers from around the world, all presented at the Performing Arts Center San Luis Obispo.
The lineup, spanning July 2026 to June 2027, includes 17 San Luis Obispo premieres—four of them national tours of the Broadway productions of Beetlejuice, Shucked, Six and A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical.
Co-presentations with Festival Mozaic, KCBX Public Radio and Cal Poly’s Center for Service in Action also are included during the year.
“At a time when so much of our lives happens through screens, gathering together for a live performance remains one of the most meaningful ways we connect as a community,” according to Cal Poly Arts director Molly Clark. “This season brings world-class artists to San Luis Obispo while creating shared experiences for our region—from families introducing children to the arts for the first time, to longtime patrons discovering a new favorite artist.”
The 2026–27 season reflects the organization’s commitment to bringing globally recognized artists and diverse cultural experiences to the Central Coast community.
“We are proud to make the Central Coast a destination for exceptional performing arts and to provide opportunities for our community to experience the inspiration, joy, and connection that only live performance can offer,” Clark said.
The season features performances by artists and ensembles representing traditions and contemporary voices from around the world, including Korean-Western crossover duo CelloGayageum, acclaimed Spanish flamenco group Las Migas, Ireland’s celebrated folk ensemble Goitse, Mexico’s Ballet Folklórico de México, and Cuban-American artists Alfredo Rodriguez and Pedrito Martinez.
A wide range of musical genres also are represented. Jazz audiences can experience performances by Grammy Award-winning artists Arturo O’Farrill and Nate Smith, rising vocalist Stella Cole, and acclaimed singer José James. Americana and roots music are represented by celebrated artists including TajMo (Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’), Lyle Lovett, Rhiannon Giddens and Trampled by Turtles.
Classical music also takes an innovative turn this season with Delirium Musicum, the self-conducted Los Angeles-based chamber orchestra bringing a fresh perspective to the classical repertoire.
Families will find performances for all ages throughout the season, from the Grammy and Emmy Award-winning hip-hop duo Alphabet Rockers to Lightwire Theater’s electroluminescent adaptation of The Adventures of Tortoise and Hare and The Very Hungry Caterpillar Interactive Show inspired by the beloved works of Eric Carle.
Cal Poly Arts welcomes international dance companies known for pushing the limits of movement and physics with BODYTRAFFIC and Ballets Jazz Montréal.
Australian circus company Circa and dance-illusionists MOMIX will blend stunning visuals with acrobatic artistry inspired by the forces of nature.
The Forbes Organ Series continues to bring unique experiences and fill the hall with three new performances on the Forbes Pipe Organ. Acclaimed organist Christian Elliott accompanies the 1926 silent film The General, Chelsea Chen presents original works inspired by Asian folk traditions, and Olivier Latry and Shin-Young Lee offer up a duo-concert.
Beyond music and dance, Cal Poly Arts will present speakers and comedians for special one-night-only performances. NPR’s Hidden Brain host Shankar Vedantam will bring his popular exploration of human behavior to the stage, while National Geographic Explorer Lucy Hawkes will share her insights into animal migration.
Author and former NFL linebacker Emmanuel Acho will have an open dialogue about social and racial justice as part of the Cal Poly Center for Service in Action’s “Change the Status Quo Social Justice & Service Speaker Series.”
Season subscribers—who select four or more shows— receive 10 percent off ticket prices (limited event exceptions apply). Subscribers who purchase tickets by June 25 receive priority seating. Single show tickets go on sale July 6.