2027 Season
SPRING
SALE DATES BELOW
ON SALE NOW
MARCH 13 – APRIL 11 on GILLIAM STAGE
Leave your troubles outside as Barter’s Gilliam Stage transforms into Berlin’s infamous Kit Kat Club, where the music is irresistible, and anything seems possible. When American writer Cliff Bradshaw meets the intoxicating Sally Bowles, he’s swept into her dazzling world. But outside, Nazi Germany tightens its grip, and the glittering nights can’t last forever. This Tony Award-winning musical features unforgettable songs like “Maybe This Time,” “Don’t Tell Mama,” and “Mein Herr.” Willkommen, bienvenue, and welcome to this provocative and deeply moving story of love, courage, and the choices we make when the world changes around us.
Content Advisories: (ML, P, S, V, O) – Mild language, prejudice, sexual situations, violence, other. More information.
FEBRUARY 12 – MARCH 7 at BARTER’S SMITH THEATRE
Music, murder, and mayhem, guaranteed to keep you laughing!
Back by popular demand: this 90-minute musical comedy features 2 performers playing 13 roles–not to mention the piano–in a witty homage to old-fashioned murder mysteries. The New York Times calls it “Ingenious!” We call it “a must-see!” Barter favorites Zacchaeus Kimbrell and Jacob Nuti return to their roles from our sold-out 2025 run. A perfect way to kick off the 2027 season!
Content Advisories: (ML, S, O) – Mild language, sexual situations, other. More information.
ON SALE BEGINNING JANUARY 20th
In 1927, Ralph Peer came to Bristol and made history, recording songs in a moment that would later become known as the Big Bang of Country Music. But when Peer finds himself at a celestial way station after his death, he reflects on the life he lived and the legacy he left behind. With help from his old friend Jimmie Rodgers, Peer revisits the people, songs, and moments that changed music forever—and discovers what they might mean for his own life. The Gospel According to Bristol is an imaginative exploration of grace infused with Gospel music from the historic Bristol Sessions, including “Shall We Gather at the River,” “Are You Washed in the Blood of the Lamb,” “Do, Lord, Remember Me,” and many more.
When a Tennessee widow from Johnson City knocks on the door of a retired New Jersey stonemason to collect church donations, a sudden thunderstorm leaves him little choice but to invite her in…little did they know it would become a long-lasting relationship. They could not be more different, and that is exactly where the fun begins. Southern Comforts is a tour-de-force journey about finding love later in life and learning to make room for someone new.
SUMMER
ON SALE JAN 20
A little optimism. A whole lot of heart. And a “Tomorrow” full of possibilities! With her unstoppable spirit, Annie is determined to find the parents who left her on the steps of a New York City orphanage. Escaping the clutches of the cranky Miss Hannigan, she sets off on a whirlwind adventure through Manhattan, discovering unexpected friendships and a new family to call her own. Featuring a Tony Award-winning score packed with favorites like “Maybe,” “It’s the Hard-Knock Life,” and “Easy Street,” Annie is a joyful, heartwarming musical the whole family will love. Join us as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of this Broadway smash hit!
Step into the thrilling underworld of 1930s Chicago, where nothing is what it seems. When a friend is killed by a ruthless mob boss, con men Johnny Hooker and Henry Gondorff go gunning for revenge with the ultimate “sting.” But no one can be trusted, and twist after twist leads to the greatest double-cross in history. Based on the Academy Award-winning film starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford, this stage production is one you don’t want to miss!
Content Advisories: (ML,V, O) – Mild language, violence, other. More information.
When the highlight of your life for the past 30 years has been your weekly bridge night with the girls, what do you do when one of your foursome passes away? If you’re Connie, Leona, and Millie, three Southern ladies from Birmingham, you do the most daring thing you’ve ever done. You “borrow” the ashes from the funeral home for one last card game—one that leads to a wild night, a police raid, and a whole new way of looking at life when you’re fully living it! Exit Laughing is a laugh-out-loud celebration of what it means to be truly alive.
Content Advisories: (ML, S, O) – Mild language, sexual situations, other. More information.
FALL
ON SALE JAN 20
A musical inspired by true events, Bright Star tells a sweeping tale of love and redemption set against the rich backdrop of the Appalachian Mountains through a lively, bluegrass-inspired score by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell. When literary editor Alice Murphy meets a young soldier just home from World War II, he awakens her longing for the child she once lost. Haunted by their unique connection, Alice sets out on a journey to understand her past—and what she finds has the power to transform both of their lives.
Content Advisories: (ML, O) – Mild language, other. More information.
Delve into the dark and mysterious world of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Set in the foggy streets of Victorian London, Jekyll’s dangerous experiments unleash havoc brought forth by his other self—Hyde. As Hyde’s sinister desires spiral out of control, Jekyll desperately fights to reclaim his life. But Hyde refuses to disappear. Trapped in a deadly battle between good and evil, only one can survive. This inventive and haunting production is filled with chilling suspense, shocking twists, and heart-pounding danger that will keep you on the edge of your seat!
Content Advisories: (ML, S, V, O) – Mild language, sexual situations, violence, other. More information.
This modern-day retelling of Homer’s classic brings an age-old story to thrilling life today. Poetry and humor, the ancient tale of the Trojan War, and the modern world collide in this captivating theatrical masterpiece. The time is now, and a lone figure onstage weaves a story that will transport the audience into the past and into the future. This one-person tour-de-force is an experience you don’t want to miss.
Content Advisories: (ML) – Mild language. More information.
Something suspicious is happening at the Shear Madness salon, and everyone is a suspect! When a shocking murder turns this neighborhood salon upside down, a colorful cast of characters finds themselves tangled in a hilarious whodunit. But here’s the twist—YOU get to help solve the crime! Spot clues, question suspects, and put your detective skills to the test as outrageous antics and unexpected twists keep you laughing and guessing. We promise no two performances are ever the same! This Halloween season, get ready for a hair-raising, laugh-out-loud good time that’s a cut above the rest!
Content Advisories: (ML, O) – Mild language, other. More information.
HOLIDAY
ON SALE JAN 20
There’s nothing quite like the magic of Christmas! When two song-and-dance veterans join forces with a talented sister act, a charming Vermont inn becomes the setting for romance, laughter, and a heartwarming holiday celebration. Filled with dazzling dance numbers, beautiful costumes, and Irving Berlin’s unforgettable music, including “Snow,” “Count Your Blessings,” and the beloved “White Christmas,” this spectacular musical brings the joy of the season to life. Brimming with holiday cheer, cherished memories, and old-fashioned Broadway glamour, White Christmas is the perfect tradition to share with family and friends this holiday season!
Every night since he was a boy, Walter Mullins has taken a moment to gaze upon the giant electric Star that shines down from atop Mill Mountain. To Walter, the Roanoke Star represents everything that is good: Christmas. Wonder. Home. But this holiday season, Walter finds himself living out his days at the county nursing home in a room whose only view is of the parking lot. Worse yet, his roommate Stanley hates Christmas and everything that it entails—especially the Roanoke Star. Walter’s last wish is to see the Star one more time, but how? It would take a miracle…
Content Advisories: (ML) – Mild language. More information.
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Barter Theatre is supported, in part, by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
