Those who know me, know I’ve long been a supporter of the local performing arts scene. I used to review live theater for a living, and I have many friends and family involved in local community theater. Given the success of the Omaha concert calendar I’ve maintained, I’m starting this Omaha theater guide and calendar in hopes that you all can attend more shows if you have enough advanced notice.
If I’ve missed a theater troupe or venue, it’s not intentional. Please let me know in the comments or at Kim (at) ohmyomaha (dot) com, and I’ll get them added to the list!
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. At no extra cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
Calendar of performances
The theater community extends beyond Omaha’s borders, so this list will include performances that are located in other communities in Nebraska and Iowa. Ticketing details and theater information is provided in the section following this theatrical calendar.
November
- “A Christmas Carol,” Nov. 16-Dec. 23, 2023 at Omaha Community Playhouse | Tickets
- “The Wise Men of Chelm,” Nov. 17 & 19, 2023 at Alan J. Levine Performing Arts Theater at Omaha Jewish Community Center | Tickets
- “The Nutcracker,” Nov. 18, 2023 at the Hoff Center and Dec. 9 & 10, 2023 at the Orpheum Theater | Tickets
- “Hip Hop Nutcracker,” Nov. 22, 2023 at the Orpheum Theater | Tickets
- “A Very Die Hard Christmas,” Nov. 24 – Dec. 17, 2023 at BLUEBARN Theatre | Purchase memberships
- “Sister’s Christmas Catechism: The Mystery of the Magi’s Gold,” Nov. 24-Dec. 23, 2023 at Omaha Community Playhouse | Tickets
- “Yesterday and Today: The Interactive Beatles Experience,” Nov. 24 through Dec. 30, 2023 at The Slowdown | Tickets
- “Tricks of the Trade” | Nov. 25 through March 23, 2024 at Mahoney State Park | Call 402-944-2957 to purchase tickets
- “Away in the Basement, A Church Basement Ladies Christmas,” Nov. 28, 2023 at The Arts Center | Tickets
- “My Fair Lady,” Nov. 28-Dec. 3, 2023 at the Orpheum Theater | Tickets
- “Cirque du Soleil: Corteo,” Nov. 30 – Dec. 3, 2023 at CHI Health Center | Tickets
December
- “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas The Musical,” Dec. 1-17, 2023 at Bellevue Little Theatre
- “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” Dec. 1-23, 2023 at The Rose Theater at The Rose Theater | Tickets
- “A Doublewide, Texas Christmas,” Dec. 1-3, Dec. 8-10, and Dec. 14-17 at Lofte Community Theatre
- “The Sound of Music” | Dec. 2 through March 30, 2024 at Mahoney State Park | Call 402-944-2957 to purchase tickets
- “A Christmas Story – The Musical,” Dec. 7-10 & 14-17, 2023 at Chanticleer Theater | Tickets
- Lightwire Theater “A Very Electric Christmas,” Dec. 13, 2023 at the Orpheum Theater | Tickets
January 2024
- “Mamma Mia!,” Jan. 9-14, 2024 at the Orpheum Theater | Tickets
- “The Savannah Sipping Society,” Jan. 11-14 & 18-21, 2024 at Chanticleer Theater | Tickets
- “Night at the Farm: A Bedtime Party,” Jan. 19-Feb. 4, 2024 at The Rose Theater | Tickets
- “The Play That Goes Wrong,” Jan. 26-Feb. 18, 2024 at Omaha Community Playhouse | Tickets
- “Beetlejuice,” Jan. 30-Feb. 4, 2024 at the Orpheum Theater | Tickets
February 2024
- “The Great Leap,” Feb. 1 – 25, 2024 at BLUEBARN Theatre | Purchase memberships (tickets go on sale at a later date)
- “Agnes of God,” Feb. 2-18, 2024 at Bellevue Little Theatre
- “La Traviata,” Feb. 16 & 18, 2024 at the Orpheum Theater | Tickets
- “Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds,” Feb. 23-March 10, 2024 at The Rose Theater | Tickets
- “Cabaret,” Feb. 23-March 30, 2024 at Omaha Community Playhouse | Tickets
- “Disney’s The Lion King,” Feb. 29-March 24, 2024 at the Orpheum Theater | Tickets
March 2024
- “Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery,” March 8-30, 2024 at Omaha Community Playhouse | Tickets
- “Forever Young,” March 10, 2024 at The Arts Center | Tickets
- “On Golden Pond,” March 14-17 & 21-24, 2024 at Chanticleer Theater | Tickets
- “Red Riding Hood,” March 22-April 7, 2024 at The Rose Theater | Tickets
- “More of a Heart,” March 28 – April 21, 2024 at BLUEBARN Theatre | Purchase memberships (tickets go on sale at a later date)
April 2024
- “Ireland with Michael LIVE,” April 5, 2024 at The Arts Center | Tickets
- “9 to 5 The Musical,” April 12-28, 2024 at Bellevue Little Theatre
- “Pretty Woman: The Musical,” April 16-21, 2024 at the Orpheum Theater | Tickets
- “Charlotte’s Web,” April 19-May 5, 2024 at The Rose Theater | Tickets
- “Chicken & Biscuits,” April 19-May 12, 2024 at Omaha Community Playhouse | Tickets
- “Cinderella,” April 27 & 28, 2024 at Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center and May 11 & 12, 2024 at the Orpheum Theater
May 2024
- “El último sueño de Frida y Diego (The Last Dream of Frida and Diego),” May 3 & 5, 2024 at the Orpheum Theater | Tickets
- “A Chorus Line,” May 9-12 & 16-19, 2024 at Chanticleer Theater | Tickets
- “POTUS: Or, Behind Behind Every Great Dumbass are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive,” May 23 – June 23, 2024 at BLUEBARN Theatre | Purchase memberships (tickets go on sale at a later date)
- “Moulin Rouge! The Musical,” May 28-June 9, 2024 at the Orpheum Theater | Tickets
- “Hello, Dolly!” May 31-June 30, 2024 at Omaha Community Playhouse | Tickets
June 2024
- “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” June 7-23, 2024 at The Rose Theater | Tickets
- “Neil Simon’s Barefoot in the Park,” June 7-23, 2024 at Bellevue Little Theatre
Directory of Omaha theaters and performance groups
American Midwest Ballet
Location: Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center, 1001 S. Sixth St., Council Bluffs, Iowa and Orpheum Theater, 809 S. 16th St., Omaha, Neb.
About: American Midwest Ballet inspires people through dance programs of the highest quality: breathtaking performances, enriching education, and uplifting community engagement. The resident professional dance company, bringing work beyond words to audiences in Nebraska, Iowa, and beyond.
Upcoming shows:
- “The Nutcracker,” Nov. 18, 2023 at the Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center and Dec. 9 & 10, 2023 at the Orpheum Theater
- “Cinderella,” April 27 & 28, 2024 at Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center and May 11 & 12, 2024 at the Orpheum Theater
Arts Center
Location: Iowa Western, 2700 College Road Arts Center, Council Bluffs, Iowa
About: The Arts Center presents performances by national touring artists as well as students at Iowa Western. Main stage theater has a capacity of 663 and the black box theater has a capacity of 125.
Ticket types: Reserved seats, season subscriptions
Upcoming shows:
- “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play,” Nov. 9-11, 2023
- “Away in the Basement, A Church Basement Ladies Christmas,” Nov. 28, 2023
- “Forever Young,” March 10, 2024
- “Ireland with Michael LIVE,” April 5, 2024
Bellevue Little Theatre
Location: 203 E. Mission Ave., Bellevue, Neb.
About: The only performing arts center in Sarpy County, Neb., Bellevue Little Theatre‘s season consists of five productions: Two musicals and three plays. Their season runs September and June.
Ticket types: General admission, season tickets
Typical showtimes: Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m.
Upcoming shows:
- “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas The Musical,” Dec. 1-17, 2023
- “Agnes of God,” Feb. 2-18, 2024
- “9 to 5 The Musical,” April 12-28, 2024
- “Neil Simon’s Barefoot in the Park,” June 7-23, 2024
Benson Theatre
Location: 6054 Maple St., Omaha, Neb.
About: Benson Theatre‘s mission is to engage, enhance and enrich the community through educational and artistic experiences. The theater host stage plays, musical concerts, film events, workshops, seminars, networking events, forums, fundraisers, creative performances, receptions, private events and more.
Upcoming shows:
- TBD
BLUEBARN Theatre
Location: 1106 S. 10th St., Omaha, Neb.
About: BLUEBARN Theatre is a professional contemporary theatre company bringing shows to the Omaha stage that are entertaining as well as thought-provoking. It’s an intimate venue, seating is for 96 people.
Ticket types: General admission, season tickets (tickets for the 35th Season go on sale Aug. 7)
Typical showtimes: Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 6 p.m.
Upcoming shows:
- “A Very Die Hard Christmas,” Nov. 24 – Dec. 17, 2023
- “The Great Leap,” Feb. 1 – 25, 2024
- “More of a Heart,” March 28 – April 21, 2024
- “POTUS: Or, Behind Behind Every Great Dumbass are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive,” May 23 – June 23, 2024
Brigit Saint Brigit Theatre Co.
Location: No permanent home, various locations in Omaha, Neb.
About: Brigit Saint Brigit has a mission to present “the highest quality, professional theatre, meant to engage, educate and entertain, stimulating both feeling and thought.”
Upcoming shows:
- TBD
Chanticleer Theater
Location: Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center, 1001 S. Sixth St., Council Bluffs, Iowa
About: Chanticleer Theater‘s mission is “to provide an educational, entertaining, cultural, and historic experience for the greater Council Bluffs Community through the performing arts.” It recently relocated to the new Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center.
Ticket types: General admission, season tickets
Upcoming shows:
- “A Christmas Story – The Musical,” Dec. 7-10 & 14-17, 2023
- “The Savannah Sipping Society,” Jan. 11-14 & 18-21, 2024
- “On Golden Pond,” March 14-17 & 21-24, 2024
- “A Chorus Line,” May 9-12 & 16-19, 2024
CHI Health Center Omaha
Location: 455 N. 10th St., Omaha, Neb.
About: CHI Health Center Omaha typically hosts large concerts and sporting events, but occasionally, there are large productions and ice shows. Tickets are sold through Ticketmaster. Save on online ticketing fees by purchasing tickets in person at the box office.
Upcoming shows:
- “Cirque du Soleil: Corteo,” Nov. 30 – Dec. 3, 2023
Circle Theatre
Location: Various venues in Omaha, Neb.
About: Circle Theatre’s mission is to “engage individuals of all abilities in creative opportunities on and off stage.”
Upcoming shows:
- “Tales of Chelm,” Nov. 18 at 7 p.m. & Nov. 19 at 2 p.m., 2023 at Jewish Community Center in the Alan J. Levine Theater
Elkhorn Community Theatre
Location: Elkhorn Valley Community Theater, 101 E. Gardiner St., Valley, Neb.
About: According to the theatre, ” Elkhorn Community Theatre was founded on the objective to involve as many members of the community of Elkhorn as possible by participation in committees, by performing, or by attending the productions.”
Upcoming shows:
- TBD
Flatware Shakespeare Co.
Location: Based out of Lincoln but performs in various communities
About: The Flatwater Shakespeare Co. is a nonprofit with a mission to entertain and educate audiences in Lincoln and surrounding communities through Shakespeare and other high quality theater productions. Their summer production is designed to tour and is performed in some Omaha locations.
Upcoming shows:
- TBD
Florentine Community Theater
Location: Florence City Hall, 2864 State St., Omaha, Neb.
About: The Florence Community Theater – home to The Florentine Players – has been staging productions in the Florence area since 1964. Known for the annual melodrama, the nonprofit theater stages four major stage productions per year plus a number of other community entertainment events such as the Annual Battle of the Improv All Stars and Breakfast With Santa.
Ticket types: General admission tickets are $12
Upcoming shows:
- Breakfast with Santa, Nov. 18, 2023
Grist Mill McCready Theatre
Location: 313 Main St., Macedonia, Iowa
About: Grist Mill Fine Arts Council was formed in 1977 to provide a means to bring the arts to southwest Iowa.
Upcoming shows:
- TBD
Lofte Community Theatre
Location: 15841 Manley Road, Manley, Neb.
About: Lofte Community Theatre and Born-In-A-Barn Players are dedicated to providing opportunities for all ages to participate in the creative process and to enjoy the social, artistic, and educational benefits of all art forms.
Upcoming shows:
- “A Doublewide, Texas Christmas,” Dec. 1-3, Dec. 8-10, and Dec. 14-17
Mahoney State Park
Location: The Kountze Memorial Theater inside Mahoney State Park is located at 28500 West Park Highway, Ashland, Neb.
Typical showtimes: Showtimes during the Winter season are typically at 3 p.m. Tickets are available by calling 402-944-2957.
Upcoming shows:
- “Tricks of the Trade,” Nov. 25 through March 23, 2024
- “The Sound of Music,” Dec. 2 through March 30, 2024
Mills Masquers
Location: 56543 221st St., Glenwood, Iowa
About: Mills Masquers is a community theater based in Glenwood, Iowa
Typical showtimes: Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.
Upcoming shows:
- TBD
Omaha Community Playhouse
Location: 6915 Cass St., Omaha, Neb.
About: The mission of the Omaha Community Playhouse is to enhance quality of life through live theatre, professional touring, and arts education. The nonprofit is dedicated to enriching the lives of audiences and participants through entertainment, thought-provoking stories and first-hand involvement.
Ticket types: Reserved seats, season subscriptions
Typical showtimes: Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.
Upcoming shows:
- “A Christmas Carol,” Nov. 17-Dec. 23, 2023
- “Sister’s Christmas Catechism: The Mystery of the Magi’s Gold,” Nov. 24-Dec. 23, 2023
- “The Play That Goes Wrong,” Jan. 26-Feb. 18, 2024
- “Cabaret,” Feb. 23-March 30, 2024
- “Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery,” March 8-30, 2024
- “Chicken & Biscuits,” April 19-May 12, 2024
- “Hello, Dolly!” May 31-June 30, 2024
Omaha Fringe Festival
Location: TBD
About: The Omaha Fringe Festival strives to bring the different members of the Omaha theatre community together for one open access and inclusive festival where theatre artists can experiment with new works and audiences can experience new theatrical movements. The 2023 festival will run Aug. 10-13, 2023.
Ticket type: The Fringe Button to attend performances will go on sale soon
The 2023 lineup includes:
- The Beast of Hyperborea
- The Million Chairs Project with Paul Pape
- Filament
- Here to See the World
- Those Three Words Are Said Too Much
- COYOTE: An Afro-Futurist Fantasia
- Acting My Age
- Unheard Of.
- The Real Professor
- Mix and Machinate
- Voice notes only please
- A Family Fractured
- Glowy, Sticky, Ceiling Stars
- Brooke Makes Fun Comedy
- Shell
- Pandemic! @ the Disco presents: The Hero’s Journey
- Belly Dance – Magical Motion
- Polars
- The Holy O
- ADHD Show & Tell
Omaha Performing Arts’ Broadway Series & Season Specials
Location: Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St., Omaha, Neb.
About: Omaha Performing Arts (O-pa) brings Broadway shows, live music, comedy and more to the Holland Performing Arts Center, Orpheum Theater and Steelhouse Omaha (opening May 12, 2023). The nonprofit also offer a broad range of education and community engagement activities that reach a wide and diverse audience across the state. Ticket Omaha is the official ticket retailer.
Ticket types: Reserved seats, season subscriptions. ** Purchase tickets through TicketOmaha.com, not through third party ticket re-sellers.
Upcoming shows:
- “Hip Hop Nutcracker,” Nov. 22, 2023 (season special)
- “My Fair Lady,” Nov. 28-Dec. 3, 2023
- Lightwire Theater “A Very Electric Christmas,” Dec. 13, 2023 (season special)
- “Mamma Mia!,” Jan. 9-14, 2024
- “Beetlejuice,” Jan. 30-Feb. 4, 2024
- “Disney’s The Lion King,” Feb. 29-March 24, 2024 (season add-on)
- “Pretty Woman: The Musical,” April 16-21, 2024
- “Moulin Rouge! The Musical,” May 28-June 9, 2024
Opera Omaha
Location: Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St.
About: Opera Omaha‘s mission is to produce opera performances in multiple formats and styles and co-creating artist-led programs for a variety of community service organizations.
Ticket types: Reserved seats, season subscriptions
Upcoming shows:
- “Don Pasquale,” Oct. 27 & 29, 2023
- “La Traviata,” Feb. 16 & 18, 2024
- “El último sueño de Frida y Diego (The Last Dream of Frida and Diego),” May 3 & 5, 2024
Papillion-La Vista Community Theatre
Location: SumTur Amphitheater, 11691 S. 108th St., Papillion, Neb.
About: The Papillion-La Vista Community Theatre aims to produce high quality productions in unique settings, which will enrich the Papillion, La Vista, and surrounding communities.
Upcoming shows:
- TBD
Popcorn Productions Melodramas
Location: Kountze Memorial Theatre located inside Mahoney State Park, 28500 W. Park Highway, Ashland, Neb.
Ticket types: Individual tickets are $9 for adults, $7 for children (ages 12 and under); Family Package is $28 (2 Adults, 2 Children)
Typical showtimes: 3 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. (in the summer); 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 3 p.m. on Sundays (the rest of the year)
Upcoming shows:
- TBD
Ralston Community Theatre
Location: Ralston Performing Arts Center located inside of Ralston High School, 8969 Park Drive, Ralston, Neb.
About: Ralston Community Theatre is a performing arts organization operating to provide quality entertainment at competitive prices. RCT’s specific intents are to further the Ralston and Greater Omaha community’s involvement in theatre, to provide an extension of the Ralston Public Schools performing arts program, and to foster public relations for the Ralston community.
Typical showtimes: Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.
Upcoming shows:
- TBD
Rave On Productions
Location: Various venues around Omaha
About: Rave On Productions created the Omaha Series to produce unique theatrical shows in untraditional venues. They also founded the McGuigan Arts Academy for students of all ages to learn about theatre, art and music through hands-on studies with professional teaching artists.
Ticket types: General admission tickets, reserved seats
Upcoming shows:
- “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” Oct. 21-28 at The Slowdown
- “Yesterday and Today: The Interactive Beatles Experience,” Nov. 24 through Dec. 30 at The Slowdown
The Rose Theater
Location: 2001 Farnam St., Omaha, Neb.
About: The Rose Theater is committed to inspiring young people and their families to discover the magic of theater, to find their voices and to enrich their communities.
Ticket types: General admission tickets, premium show tickets with reserved seats, subscriptions (includes four tickets to each of the six member shows)
Typical showtimes: Fridays at 7 p.m. and Saturdays & Sundays at 2 p.m. (but not always)
Upcoming shows:
- “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” Dec. 1-23, 2023 (season add-on)
- “Night at the Farm: A Bedtime Party,” Jan. 19-Feb. 4, 2024
- “Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds,” Feb. 23-March 10, 2024
- “Red Riding Hood,” March 22-April 7, 2024
- “Charlotte’s Web,” April 19-May 5, 2024
- “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” June 7 – 23, 2024 (season add-on)
Southwest Iowa Theatre Group
Location: Park Playhouse, 604 Sportsman Park Road, Shenandoah, Iowa
About: The mission at the Southwest Iowa Theatre Group is to continue the tradition of producing quality amateur theatrical productions, and to promote all of the arts for the entertainment, education, and development of patrons and participants.
Ticket types: Individual tickets, season tickets
Typical showtimes: Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.
Upcoming shows:
- TBD
Voices in Alliance
Location: Flixx, 1019 S. 10th St., Omaha, Neb.
About: The mission of Voices in Alliance (VIA) Theatre Company is to celebrate LGBTQ+ pride through inspiring, inclusive, diverse, provocative, and complex stories that explore both the ordinary and extraordinary of the queer experience.
Upcoming shows:
- “The Inheritance: Part I,” Nov. 3-12, 2023
Wilson Performing Arts Center
Location: 300 Commerce Drive, Red Oak, Iowa
Upcoming shows:
- TBD
Omaha and the surrounding areas offer a diverse range of theater experiences for both locals and visitors. From large-scale productions in renowned venues to intimate performances in community theaters, there is no shortage of opportunities to experience the magic of live theater. Whether you’re a fan of musicals, dramas, comedies, or experimental theater, you’re sure to find something that speaks to you.