It’s a tale as old as time…waiting and waiting and waiting for those hills to be alive with the sounds of— the new season drop at Baltimore’s Hippodrome Theatre! (Did you see what we did there? #IYKYK) And the new season— the 2026/2027 Broadway Across America Broadway Hippodrome Series— has officially dropped! EIGHT SHOWS. THREE NATIONAL TOUR LAUNCHES. TWO SEASONAL ADD-ONS. And a whole bunch of Broadway magic ready to razzle, dazzle, entertain, and wow audiences in Charm City, all across the great state of Maryland and beyond! We’ve got Ron Legler, President of the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center, home of the Hippodrome Theatre, a venue managed by an affiliate of Broadway Across America, here to chat all about the thrilling new season!

Ron, as always, it’s such a pleasure to get to have this chat with you! Hope you’re doing well! You’ve always got something incredible and exciting to share with our readers! Thank you so much for giving me some of your time, I know you’re so, so busy.

Ron Legler: Yes, good morning, Amanda! Doing well, thank you! Of course with this blizzard storm coming into Baltimore, it’s been a little hectic around here. We’re trying to make sure that Gatsby (National Tour launch of The Great Gatsby) has everything that they need so that they don’t lose any time during their tech weekend.

Oh gosh, that’s right! They’re building and teching things as we speak! And I know everyone is really looking forward to seeing that show! Hopefully by the time they start performances (Sat January 31^st 2026) the storm will be well clear of us!

Ron: Yes! That is the plan!

Sounds like a good plan! Now let’s talk about what we came here to talk about— this amazing, gangbusters season of epic amazingness that you’ve just dropped for 2026/2027!

Ron: I am really happy with where we landed. I always try to make sure that there is something for everyone in the season and I think we really accomplished that this time. We have five premieres that have never been to Baltimore. And we have three National Tour launches! I couldn’t be happier! We’re really, really excited. There’s a lot of new stuff, some returning classics that are so beloved by everyone, and we’re just over the moon about those three tour launches!

Yes! ‘Lil Broadway’ is booming here in Charm City! And it’s— Maybe Happy Ending, Six, and Heathers that are the launches?

Ron: That’s right. Heathers has been off-Broadway and it’s been selling incredibly well. They are going to reconceive the whole set design and everything for this national tour. It could potentially get back to Broadway after it goes on its national tour. We’re really excited to be the theatre that launches that. We get to be THIS close to the newness of this show, which hasn’t even gone to Broadway yet!

That is super sensational. Just like we had with The Wiz a few seasons ago, where it was built and launched here, and then rolled right on up to Broadway.

Ron: Absolutely. And we’re excited that we have another show here now with Heathers (May 15^th – 22^nd 2027) that might do exactly that.

We are definitely becoming known for that here in Baltimore! And the other really big one is Maybe Happy Ending?

Ron: That’s right. You know, Maybe Happy Ending(September 13^th – 19^th 2026) is just something that Baltimore audiences are really going to love. It won the Tony, it’s such a great show, and actually the producers of that show are working on a Pal Joey project at Arena Stage—

Arena Stage just down the road in DC?

Ron: That’s the one! I’m really looking forward to the audiences coming out to see Maybe Happy Ending. I know I mentioned it won Best Musical at the Tonys and five other Tonys and it’s just going to spark a connection with our audiences that is going to be so special and so wonderful and it’s going to be great.

That really is wonderful. I haven’t seen that one yet so I cannot wait. Now I know that these tour-launches are all a part of that very special Maryland’s Theatrical Tax Credit, which we’ve spoken about in years and interviews past. I also remember you saying that it, like all tax credits, has a ‘sundown’ and that’s coming in 2027, I believe?

Ron: That’s correct and we’re actually trying to get that renewed early, this season, this year, so that we can keep these tour launches coming, keep the business in Baltimore. I’ve been working very hard with Senator Guzzoni (MD State Senator Guy J. Guzzone, District 13) and of course the support from our Governor (Governor Wes Moore) to make sure we’re doing everything to keep that tax credit. If we succeed in renewing it early then we get to keep right on rolling with all these amazing new shows that are being offered to us— we’ve already had a few that have expressed interest.

It’s so nice to get artists into Maryland, having art being made here in Maryland. It’s just been an incredible experience, especially to have that option in play here at The Hippodrome. We have four unions at The Hippodrome and they’ve all been working so often and so much that it makes a huge difference, especially after losing all of that work during the pandemic. We’re literally able to return that work back to our Union Stagehands, to our Union Box Office, to our Union Musicians, and to our Union Hair & Makeup, because of having that opportunity created by the tax credit. It’s a win-win for everybody. You’re not utilizing the tax credit unless you spend money in the state of Marland, so it’s wonderful that that is happening.

That is such an incredible and critical part of keeping the arts alive both in Baltimore and in Maryland and we are so incredibly lucky to have good people like you who want to really fight to keep the arts alive! Now, of the eight shows in the season and the two add-on shows that have just been announced, which one is the one you are most excited about?

Ron: Gosh, Amanda, you ask me this every season—

And every season you have a tough time picking just one! It’s true!

Ron: Exactly! Because I love the different shows for so many different reasons! I do think Maybe Happy Ending is going to be the one that just— it’s going to be a game-changer for so many people. It never leaves you. I constantly think about that show and the beauty of it, and the love story. I think Baltimore is going to connect with it on such a great level. But I have to tell you, I’ve heard so many beautiful things about The Sound of Music (January 5^th – 10^th 2027) this is a gorgeous production. It’s selling out all across the country. People are often asking me, “but why are we bringing back that old show?” But you know what? Those shows? Those classics? They are really important for the next generation.

I could not agree more. Those classics that you’re talking about paved the road for the Hamiltons and the Sixes of the nowadays. And the younger generations should have the chance to experience them in all their grandeur.

Ron: That’s right. I don’t want people sitting around thinking, “I already saw Beauty & The Beast (June 16^th – 20^th 2027) or I already saw Sound of Music” because these are different shows. People are going to be surprised. These shows are doing so well, they’re selling out, and subscribers may be the only people who get to see them. Like I said, every ten years is another generation of young people who want to be inspired by theatre. So take a young person with you to those shows if you’ve seen them already, or if you really don’t want to see that show, donate your ticket to an organization that will send young people to the theatre. There’s a great reason to see a show more than once, especially with these classics.

Absolutely. And I see that we have ‘Twas The Night Before… (December 17^th – 27^th 2026) returning to us, a Cirque du Soleil production. I believe that was here in ’23 and I remember it being extremely well-received! I loved it!

Ron: It did so well! Our subscribers have been asking and begging us to bring it back. They loved it for the holidays last time and I know they’re going to love it this time. It’s a perfect show for the holidays because it just gets you in the spirit. It’s the perfect time from to have it here. Cirque does such a beautiful job, it’s one of their most successful proscenium shows that they have. It’s absolutely stunning. Their artistry and craftsmanship of that show is absolutely gorgeous, it’s so beautiful. I can’t wait to get it back! It was a sellout hit in 2023 and we are sure it will be again.

And the biggest reigning show in all the land…Hamilton (March 9^th – 28^th 2027)! Baltimore not throwing away it’s shot with that show returning to us in spring of 2027. It’s been— wait. When was it here? Two years ago? Three?

Ron: By the time it comes around to us in March it will have been four-and-a-half years it was hear for most of October back in 2022.

WOW. That does not seem possible. Time is crazy!

Ron: It is! But you know what? Hamilton loves Baltimore. And Baltimore loves Hamilton. It’s coming through for three weeks this time, so it’ll be a little shorter of a run, last time it was here for four. But we will always welcome Hamilton back into this market. We are a historic city, this is a historic topic, and I think it will play The Hippodrome long, long after I’m gone and dead. Hamilton is going to last forever. It’s such a wonderful story.

Yes it is. And what about these other huge titles that are either still on or just closing on Broadway?

Ron: Yeah we’ve got three of those— Hell’s Kitchen (November 17^th – 22^nd 2026), The Outsiders (April 20^th – 25^th 2027) and Death Becomes Her (February 2^nd – 7^th 2027) – I mean The Outsiders won a Tony for best musical— these are the biggest and best shows on Broadway. Outsiders and Death Becomes Her are still playing on Broadway and Hell’s Kitchen only just announced that it’s closing. These are shows that are right this minute still in New York! Death Becomes Her is one of the biggest, most-lavish, beautiful Broadway shows I’ve ever seen. I could literally watch that show 100 times.

There are so many exciting titles that we’re bringing in this season, I am so thrilled for Baltimore. Honestly, we’ve had such a great response from everyone about this season, so positive! It’s wonderful. In this world that we’re living in right now, escape is so important. Taking care of yourself is so important. There’s no better way to escape and take care of yourself than coming to a night out at the theatre and spending that night with 2,200 of people in your community, being in the dark together, and experiencing something that doesn’t happen only but once a night. It’s going to be really exciting.

It’s a magical season, for sure! And coming off of this epic 2025/2026 season where we’ve just had Phantom and we’ve just had Wicked and of course we still have so many great shows to conclude that season (The Great Gatsby 1/31-2/7, Back to the Future 2/24-3/1, Kimberly Akimbo 4/28-5/3, Suffs 5/26-5/31, A Beautiful Noise 6/23-6/28), it’s such a feather in Baltimore’s cap— we’re ‘Lil Broadway’ with all these tour launches and shows coming directly from Broadway; it’s pretty sensational.

Ron: Well, we’ve got to keep it up! My thing now is this juggling act with the tax credit. You know last time we got this tax credit passed, it was unanimous on both sides of the aisle. There is a lot of divisiveness going on in government right now but I’m hoping that putting Union people to work will help bridge that gap. Our number one priority is keeping our wonderful unions working. It’s always been my priority. And really taking care of The Hippodrome.

We’ve just announced that we have an architectural firm that’s going to come in for a six-month period and do an in-depth study on the current condition of The Hippodrome. A lot of the renovations that were done in 2004 were value-engineered and they’re kind of coming to the end of their natural lifespan. HVAC Systems, roofing structures, pipes, and all of that. It’s a mammoth of a building— 310,000 square feet for the whole thing. When we were doing the renovation for the M&T Bank Exchange, we noticed some really scary things. So I went to the board and said, “it’s time that we do a very in-depth study to make sure that we don’t slip into disrepair.” If you look back at the history of these buildings, they last about 30-35 years. And if there’s not major infrastructural changes, it goes back into being decrepit and being tired.

And I know you want the building that houses all of these incredible shows to look and function as incredibly as the shows on stage do.

Ron: Absolutely. There is definitely more opportunity for us too, with these shows that are launching from here? There’s no reason for them to have to do their first two or three weeks of rehearsals in New York before getting here. We could house them in Baltimore, they could live here longer. If we have the space to do the rehearsals and to the choreography and all that stuff, then we have the ability to garner more business and keep them here longer. We’re taking a look at everything. Hopefully when that study is complete, we will go and find the arch-champions of the state of Maryland and talk to them about what the future of the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center could look like. We are owned by the state of Maryland, we are the only national touring Broadway theatre in the state. Every state believes that they are wonderful and has wonderful cultural institutions and we one of those wonderful cultural institutions right here in Baltimore. And we deserve the chance to stay here and continue to thrive. We all do.

Absolutely. Now, you just mentioned the M&T Exchange and I know this past season we had the thrilling success of having Ceilidh here— a personal favorite of mine and hands-down the best show I saw in all of 2025, so much so I came back a second time!! Is there anything that’s percolating for that M&T Exchange Space that you can talk about? I know that Iron Crow Theatre is opening a show in there pretty soon.

Ron: Yes— they are coming back to The Exchange, they’ve performed shows there before, and they’re bringing in their production of the Pulitzer Prize-winning drama Next To Normal. It’s phenomenal. I’m really excited to have them back.

Now Ceilidh was one of the most special things that I’ve gotten to be a part of in a very long time and it sounds like you had similar experiences, Amanda. That was such a special show. And we’re looking. We are looking for a special show like that. It would be great to be able to bring in a show and add it to our subscription and give our subscribers that bonus option. So many of our subscribers don’t even know that we have that beautiful building. There’s a lot of education and more work that we have to do. But we would love to bring in another regional title that’s on its way up and feature it at The Exchange. Ceilidh is currently doing a European Tour. And it hopes to get back to America in 2027.

Oh that would be phenomenal and maybe we could steer them back here to re-launch from Baltimore because it was so successful and wonderful when there were here back in September.

Ron: Yeah, maybe! It was so beautiful. And of course we’re looking at different options, different shows, different ideas. Maybe something a little smaller, not Broadway but something that interests new audiences and can be a little more interactive and avant garde. We’re keeping our options open.

You should just go get Masquerade. I say that like you just pop over to the Broadway store and buy it for installation at The Exchange.

Ron: Haha! If only it worked that way. I would love to. It’s doing so well. I’m so happy for Diane Paulus (director of Masquerade) she’s such an amazing director and visionary. It’s been extended now through next November, I think.

Oh good because I haven’t yet procured tickets to that one.

Ron: Yeah, I haven’t seen it yet either which is just crazy.

Okay, Ron. The race is on, since we’re the two biggest Phantom fans here. Who’s gonna get to it first, me or you? I got London. Maybe you’ll get Masquerade.

Ron: Oh my gosh— how could I forget you have London. And I really cannot believe I haven’t seen it yet, but we have just been one launch after another after another. It takes a lot of time. Like right now with Great Gatsby? We have this impending blizzard and my main concern is “how is the cast going to eat?” Because there won’t be any GrubHub or DoorDash or delivery. The hotel they’re staying at doesn’t have a restaurant. So we’re going to open up a commissary for the next three days and let them come in and get breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We have to treat them so kindly when they’re here, so that they know we’re on their team and we’re here to support them.

Absolutely. And I’m sure that creates great reassurance letting them know that you guys are there for them, have a plan in place, and it’s not all pell-mell ‘figure it out as we go.’

Ron: Exactly. We want them to know they’re not on their own. That’s the difference between Baltimore and other places. We take it very personally and seriously. We care. You know they’re all my kids who are out there on tour right now. & Juliet is doing incredibly business, it just went through south Florida, everyone’s loving it still, and it’s a true moment of pride for Baltimore.

Of course! And Phantom is making all the waves.

Ron: Oh my gosh, yes! Success after success. Water For Elephants, another one of ours, is doing incredible. Those two kids that starred in that show? They’re going to be Broadway stars. There’s no question in my mind that those two leads are going to do phenomenal things in their future. We’re looking right now at what’s coming on Broadway. We’re already looking at what we’re going to be bringing here for the 2027/2028 season, it’s always so exciting and it’s just a bright light for us.

You see a lot of things about closures downtown and all that but there are so many other exciting things. The fact that we’re going to have a brand new Harbor in the next five years— we want to be ready for that. We want to be ready for those residents who move downtown, who are going to be looking for cultural things to do. We have Davi/-d Byrne (5/16-5/17) we have Tosh2.0 (6/17) we have some really exciting concerts, plus SHEN YUN (4/18-4/19) is going to be here in April, and Paw Patrol (5/9) we’ve got a lot of really fun things happening and we just want to be the center of all of it.

This is such an incredible time— look around, look around, how lucky we are to be alive right now…

Ron: You do love your Hamilton.

I’m like you, Ron. I love it all. Now I know you’d mentioned you’re working your way through the renewals for season subscribers, what are the options for people who are not yet subscribed to the season?

Ron: As soon as we’re done with renewals, and we go through and do the upgrades for the subscribers who have requested them, then we go out on single-sale for new subscribers. The best thing to do right now is to jump on our waitlist. Those people on the waitlist get served first. We will send out an exclusive invite about 72 hours before we open it up to the general public. It goes to the waitlist first and then to the general public. We renewed last year at 87% and we hope to get into the same realm this year. We have a season that is certainly worth purchasing; we’re very optimistic. We want everyone to join, we want everyone to be a part of the family. We take really good care of everyone, we want everyone to be happy and enjoy The Hippodrome. It’s a beautiful, wonderful, old Vaudeville house that is certainly worth of attending.

Having Andrew Lloyd Webber and Cameron Macintosh gloat over what a beautiful place it is that we get to have here in Maryland is something that I pride myself on. Andrew Lloyd Webber said that The Hippodrome was more European that most European and compared it to The Piccadilly, which is a theatre that he owns and operates in London. He said that it is absolutely on par and even has a little more intimacy than The Piccadilly. They were both just overwhelmed with how beautiful The Hippodrome is. We really do have a wonderful asset. Our job is to take care of it and make it shine as much as possible. It’s all just exciting stuff!

Yes it is! Anything else you want to say to our readers about the season or about things they might be able to do to help encourage their various delegates to help get that tax credit passed? Do they write to their district representatives in the city to get the momentum going?

Ron: Absolutely and actually it can be through the whole state. We are a state organization. We have subscribers from every single county in Maryland. We have subscribers residing in Pennsylvania now and of course some in Virginia and DC. We have a lot of new patrons coming from the DC area. We want to be there for everyone. Everyone is always welcome in our building. We want to make sure that our cultural people are getting cultural productions and the best that Broadway can bring. We’re open. We’re grateful for everyone that has stayed with us, we’re grateful for all the new people who are interested. We’re filled with gratitude for the success that we’re experiencing.

I’m hoping that the state of Maryland will see the benefit of having Broadway built in our backyard. I’m going to be in Annapolis a lot this session for sure.

It sounds like that’s a call to all patrons of the arts to write to your delegate!

Ron: Yes. It’s the Maryland Theatrical Tax Credit. That’s what they call it officially and it’s doing great work and we want it to continue to do great work. It’s bringing work back to the state of Maryland. I think that’s the most proud thing that we can say. We’re actually giving full-time work to four different unions. We’re creating a wonderful workspace for them to grow and to succeed in. We want to continue that great work!

Absolutely. Ron, it is always a pleasure getting to chat with you, getting to hear your enthusiasm for our wonderful city, hear all of the exciting new things you’re working hard to bring here. I hope you’re hunkered down for the incoming blizzard this weekend!

Ron: Oh yeah, we’re good. Everybody’s going to be just fine and safe and good. Baltimore is resilient, Maryland is resilient, and we will get through it and we will be ready for Gatsby. I cannot wait to see what you’re going to wear! You always amaze with what you show up wearing to the theatre, always great for a photograph!

Thank you! It’s part of my passion and enthusiasm. I’m definitely torn about which outfit but I have an idea— you’ll just have to wait until Gatsby is here to see!

Ron: I cannot wait! Take care, Amanda!

You too, Ron, and thanks again!

To see the 2026/2027 Broadway show lineup at Baltimore’s Hippodrome Theatre, click here.

To join the 2026/2027 Season Subscriber Waitlist, click here.