Washington Center’s new season offers variety, from family friendly to adults only

The Washington Center for the Performing Arts has announced its 2025-26 season, which offers heaping helpings of comedy, plenty of shows for families — including the return of “Stunt Dog Experience” — and a variety of concerts.

“I love the variety,” said Jill Barnes, the center’s executive director. “I think there’s a lot of entertainment value in our season, and I think people will experience a lot of joy. I hope that people will also find some enrichment — learning about new ideas or discovering something they just didn’t know about previously.”

Several of the concerts have international flair, including Portland’s Pink Martini (Jan. 31), known for its multilingual lyrics; International Guitar Night (Feb. 1), this season featuring guitarists from Australia, Brazil and Russia and a Hawaiian ukulele maestro; and the Chicago-based Mariachi Herencia de México (Oct. 15).

“I love mariachi music,” Barnes said. “It was really fun last year when we had the movie ‘Coco’ accompanied by the Orquesta Folclórica Nacional de Mexico. After the show, the musicians came out to the lobby and played mariachi. There was so much joy. I was thinking, I want every show to end with a mariachi band.”

Besides Pink Martini, this time featuring singer Storm Large, the season’s biggest names are the dance troupe Pilobolus (March 23), Fran Lebowitz (March 15), The Wailin’ Jennies (May 15) and singer-songwriters Colbie Caillat and Gavin DeGraw, who’ll perform together Dec. 5.

Missing from the season is a Broadway touring production. The center announced earlier this year that it would be hosting the smash musical “The Book of Mormon” Aug. 4 and 5, which is before the new season begins. (It’s already all but sold out.)

Booking a Broadway musical takes a lot of time and coordination — and some luck as well, Barnes said. “Mormon” has been in the work since the fall.

“There were several musicals we explored for the upcoming season, but in the end, the routing and our available dates didn’t align,” she said. “We’re already in discussions for the 2026-2027 season.”.

The season does includes a show that might raise some eyebrows — and a few that raise questions.

“The Naked Magicians,” returning April 2, is cheeky — literally. “It’s definitely an adults show,” Barnes said, “but no, you do not see the full monty.”

“Serial Killers with Dr. Scott Bonn” (Oct. 30) dives deep into the minds of serial killers. “At first, I was like, I don’t know that that is a show I want to book,” Barnes said. But she did some research and changed her mind. “It really will be educational,” she said. “It’s not just entertainment with grisly stories.”

And then there’s “Wizard of Oz on Ice” (April 17).

How is the center going to present that?

“Isn’t that what everyone wants to know? I guess you’re going to have to buy tickets,” Barnes said, laughing.

The Washington Center’s 2025-2026 season

• Season tickets: Now on sale. A 15 percent discount is available for those who buy tickets to five or more shows. Those who buy eight or more can stay in the same seats for the shows they choose.
• Individual tickets: Prices vary. Regular season shows go on sale Aug. 12.
• Where: The Washington Center for the Performing Arts, 512 Washington St. S.E., Olympia
• More information: www.washingtoncenter.org

The shows

The Capitol Fools (Oct. 9): The Fools, including past members of The Capitol Steps, poke fun at politics.

Mariachi Herencia de México (Oct. 15): The band, twice nominated for Latin Grammy Awards, is composed of 14 musicians ages 18-32.

“God Is a Scottish Drag Queen: Halloween Spooktacular” (Oct. 17): God (aka comedian Mike Delamont) returns to lampoon demonic possession, costume shops and pumpkin spice lattes.

“Inside WonderLab -- Exploring Nature’s Hidden Worlds” (Oct. 23): The show, part of the center’s Adventure Series, features biologist-turned-photographer Anand Varma, whose camera captures phenomena of the natural world that are normally beyond human perception.

“Serial Killers with Dr. Scott Bonn” (Oct. 30): Bonn, who has a Ph.D., dives deep into serial killers in this show, recommended for adults only.

“Chris Perondi’s Stunt Dog Experience” (Nov. 1): The popular show, featuring rescued dogs performing tricks, aerial stunts and comedy routines returns for two performances.

“Uptown: A Celebration of Motown & Soul” (Nov. 8): This high-energy soul group, based in New York City, performs both contemporary hits and Motown classics.

Seattle International Comedy Competition (Nov. 20): The famed comedy competition stops in Olympia for a semi-final round. The show is recommended for ages 18 and up.

The Reduced Shakespeare Co.’s “The Ultimate Christmas Show (Abridged)” (Dec. 4): The goofy vaudeville-style troupe takes an irreverent trip through the winter holidays.

Colbie Caillat and Gavin DeGraw (Dec. 5): Singer-songwriters Caillat and DeGraw team up to perform holiday songs and their hits.

“Stop Making Sense,” hosted by Jerry Harrison (Jan. 16): Talking Heads guitarist Harrison will introduce the newly restored and acclaimed concert film and answer questions.

“Stories from the Warrior Society” (Jan. 24): This live storytelling show, produced by Indigenous Performance Productions, will explore warrior societies through the voices of indigenous military and veterans.

“Dirty Dancing” in Concert (Jan. 26): A live band will perform the songs with a screening of the 1987 musical, then play the songs again so the audience can dance and sing along.

Pink Martini (Jan. 31): Portland’s beloved “little orchestra” returns to The Washington Center with singer Storm Large.

International Guitar Night (Feb. 1): This year’s program features an Australian classical guitarist, a fingerstyle player from Russia, a Brazilian guitarist and — for the first time — a ukulele player.

Center Stage Awards & Gala (March 7): The center’s fundraising gala includes dinner, an auction and an awards presentation offsite and then progresses to the center for “Yesterday and Today.”

“Yesterday and Today: The Interactive Beatles Experience” (March 7): This Beatles show lets audience members choose the set list and share the reasons behind their choices, and the performers, brothers who grew up listening to The Beatles, weave the music together with their own memories and the audience’s stories.

“Tilt: A Circus Thrill Ride” by Cirque Mechanics (March 14): Cirque Mechanics journeys behind the scenes of a theme park in this family-friendly show.

“An Evening with Fran Lebowitz” (March 15): Cultural satirist Lebowitz shares her insights and opinions on everything from current events to her personal pet peeves.

Ladies of Laughter (March 20): The returning tour features some of the top comics from national LOL competitions. It’s recommended for ages 18 and up.

Pilobolus (March 23): The wildly inventive dance troupe dives into inner and outer space.

“The Power of Creativity: A Journey through Storytelling, Exploration and Hope” (March 27): As part of the center’s Adventure Series, photographer and writer Kike Calvo will share the lessons he’s learned on his journeys.

“The Naked Magicians” (April 2): The cheeky Australian duo do magic without top hats, capes — or pants. The show is for ages 18 and older only.

“Wizard of Oz on Ice” (April 17): This traveling show, which really does involve ice skating, revisits the timeless tale.

“Wicked” Sing-Along (April 25): Lauren O’Neill will host the sing-along, which will also feature a costume contest.

The Center Salon (May 9): This intimate gathering in the Black Box showcases local musicians, writers, artists, filmmakers and more.

The Wailin’ Jennys (May 15): The folk trio, known for its sweets harmonies, returns to the center after a long absence.

Series performances

Black Box Jazz: The cabaret-style music series, focused this season on pianists, will showcase Randy Halberstadt (Jan. 9), Francesco Crosara (Feb. 27), Jovino Santos Neto (April 10) and Marina Albero (May 8).

Comedy Underground: The cabaret-style series, recommended for ages 18 and up, continues with performances Jan. 8, Feb. 26, April 9 and May 7 in the Black Box.

Silent Movies: The series features organist Dennis James accompanying Charlie Chapin’s “The Gold Rush” (Sept. 28) and Love, Luck and Laughter, a double bill featuring Buster Keaton’s “Seven Chances” and “The Three Ages” (Feb. 15)

This story was originally published June 25, 2025 at 5:00 AM.