Broadway San Diego announced its 49th season with a special achievement: Each of the seven shows visiting the city are currently playing on Broadway.
That’s never happened before.
As it becomes more difficult for musicals to make money, it makes sense to turn to the pieces that both audiences and critics love when making the gamble of sending those performances on the road. And San Diegans who haven’t made a trek to New York will benefit by seeing the best and brightest new musicals on offer.
Here’s a look at the seven shows touring in San Diego for the 2026-2027 season.
Oh, Mary!
“Oh, Mary!” had major grassroots popularity that propelled it to Broadway. The dark comedy by Cole Escola will make its West Coast premiere in San Diego from Sept. 29 through Oct. 4.
The ridiculous, chaotic and historically inaccurate play follows first lady Mary Todd Lincoln, portrayed as an alcoholic aspiring cabaret performer, in the weeks leading up to her husband’s death. The 80-minute, one-act play was a Pulitzer Prize finalist for drama in addition to winning two Tonys.
The Outsiders
San Diegans may actually have seen this musical, based on the novel by S.E. Hinton and movie from Ford Coppola. It originated at the La Jolla Playhouse before moving to Broadway, where it captured the Tony’s Best Musical award in 2024.
The touring version of the gritty coming-of-age story will be back in San Diego Nov. 3-8.
Buena Vista Social Club
In 1997, an ambitious record producer released an album from Cuba’s most iconic musicians, many of whom had retired from the spotlight. “Buena Vista Social Club” became a global hit, and now has a musical dramatizing the events leading up to the album’s release featuring decades of Cuban music performed by a huge ensemble cast.
The blended Spanish-English musical will be at the Civic Theatre April 13-18, 2027, with Tony-winning choreography from San Diego-raised Justin Peck.
Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical
Also landing a week later in April 2027, “Operation Mincemeat” is set to have audiences in stitches. The wholly original piece has a cast of five playing 87 characters in the true story of British spy hijinks that turned the tide of World War II.
Expect shenanigans with a corpse, a fake love letter and an unexpected tie to James Bond author Ian Fleming.
Maybe Happy Ending
Another Tony-winning Best Musical will visit San Diego, from June 1-6, 2027.
“Maybe Happy Ending,” with lyrics written by South Korean artist Hue Park and music by American composer Will Aronson, is a love story between two humanoid “helper robots” made from obsolete technology. The musical explores the meaning of life, love, and being human.
The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic book about the trappings of excess has had several adaptations, but never before in musical form. The glitz, glamor and extravagance of a musical may fit the source material examining American wealth perfectly.
The tour will maintain that over-the-top spectacle, including the two cars on stage, when in San Diego June 22-27.
Death Becomes Her
The 49th season concludes with the musical comedy “Death Becomes Her,” based on the 1992 film. Set to a fantastic original score, the show about rival actresses seeking to be forever fabulous — by any means necessary — promises to be a campy, decadent delight from Aug. 10-15, 2027.
Extras
In addition to the core season, Broadway San Diego has a few extra-season performances not included with season tickets. These are uber-popular classics such as, “Phantom of the Opera,” Disney’s “The Lion King” and “Mamma Mia!”
Plus, toddler-friendly “Bluey’s Big Play” will visit Balboa Theatre.
If you can’t wait until September, Broadway SD’s 48th season is still underway, with “The Notebook,” “Riverdance,” “MJ: The Musical,” “The Sound of Music,” Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast,” San Diego resident Alicia Keys’ “Hell’s Kitchen,” and “Water for Elephants” set to arrive with a splash.
