Springer announces 11 shows for 2025-26 season and ‘a major upgrade’ at Columbus theater
Columbus theater fans received a sneak peek at the Springer Opera House’s upcoming season Thursday evening. And they learned a much-requested change will be ready when “The Wiz” opens the 2025-2026 Mainstage Season in September.
“We’re planning a major upgrade,” announced Danielle Patterson-Varner, the Springer’s CEO and executive producer. “Brand new, wider and more comfortable seats.”
Moments later, Springer artistic director Keith McCoy demonstrated to the audience’s amusement and applause that those seats will have a cool feature at the historic State Theater of Georgia:
Cup holders. Cup holders!
That news and more came from Springer leaders during the 155th season announcement gala, an invitation-only event that included preview performances from some of the upcoming shows.
List of Springer shows in 2025-26 season
Eleven shows comprise the Springer’s upcoming season.
The Mainstage Series has three musicals: “The Wiz” (Sept. 19-28, 2025), Disney’s “Frozen” (Nov. 29-Dec. 21, 2025) and “Hairspray” (March 20-29, 2026). Rounding out the series is “The Da Vinci Code” (Jan. 23-Feb. 1, 2026).
The Studio II Series has “Dracula: A comedy of Terrors” (Oct. 17-Nov. 2, 2025) , “Who’s Holiday” (Dec. 12-21, 2025) and “Chicken & Biscuits” (April 17-26, 2026).
The Children’s Series has “Alice in Wonderland” (July 19-27, 2025) and “A Bad Case of the Stripes” (Feb. 28-March 8, 2026).
The Theatre for the Very Young series is “The Leaves are Falling” (Nov. 8-16, 2025) and “X Marks the Spot” (May 2-10, 2026).
“One of the great things about this season is this is a season that Danielle and I picked, just the two of us,” McCoy told the Ledger-Enquirer, ”so it’s kind of our first season presenting to the Columbus community, and we’re really excited about what we’ve put together.”
McCoy and Patterson-Varner started in their new leadership roles Oct. 1, 2023, when the Springer divided the duties of retired producing artistic director Paul Pierce into two positions.
“It’s challenging but also exciting,” Patterson-Varner told the Ledger-Enquirer about creating a new season of shows. “But the relationship that Keith and I have built together, we know what we want on our stage. We know what the community needs and wants to see on the stage. It’s fun.”
McCoy said everything is easier with a great partner.
“I think we have great chemistry,” he said. “We’re coworkers, but we’re also friends, and so being able to collaborate and create something to present to, again, the Columbus community that’s ours and that we’re excited to give to them, is great. Again, you know, being on this journey together and creating and carrying on the legacy that has been created before us.”
Springer honors actor Raymond Campbell
Local actor Raymond Campbell was honored during the program. He will get a star on Springer Walk of Fame. The award recognizes an individual “who has contributed significantly to the theatre’s success over the years, helping shape the Springer into the cultural powerhouse it is today,” says the Springer’s news release.
Campbell’s star will join other honorees whose names are installed in the sidewalks of Tenth Street and First Avenue adjacent to the Springer.
Go to springeroperahouse.org for information about each production, ticket packages and prices for the upcoming season.
Check back later for video from the season announcement and our conversation with McCoy and Patterson-Varner.
This story was originally published March 28, 2025 at 11:15 AM.
